Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-06-01
COMMUNICATION FROM LIEUTENANT.GEN.
ERAL GRANT,

COMMUNICATION FROM MLIEUTENANT.eEN.
ERAL GRANT.
Inc PRESIDENT sent message to the
House on the 10th, enclosing tho follow
ing communication from Lieutenant. Cen.
cral Grant:
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE JTs,rrn
STATES,
WAsnINcToS, d. c., May 16, 1866.
Hon. It. M. Stanton, Secretary of Var:
sIR:-In view Of the long delay in the
lower House of Congress in agreeing upon
nlan for the reorganization of the army
suitable to our present requirements, and
the urgent necessity for early action, am
induced to present the matter to you Off
c'ally, and to ask the attention of Congress
TO 1t, believing that when they have tho
matter fairly before them they will do what
should be done speedily. At the present
time settlements are springIng up with
unusual rapidity in tho district of country
between the Missouri River and the Pa
clhc Ocean, where heretofore the Indian
was left in undisputed possession. Emf
grants arc pushing to those settlements
and to the gold fields of the Rocky Noun
talns, by every available highway.
The people tlockiug to these regions are
citizens of the United States, and are en-
titled to the protection of the Government.
They are developing the resources of the
country to its great advantage, thus ma
king it the interest as we'll as duty to give
them military protection. This makes a
much greater force West of tho Mississippi
necessary than was ever heretofore requir-
ed. A small military force is required in
all the States lately in rebellion, and it
cannot be foreseen that this force will not
be required for some time to come. 1t is
TO be hoped that this force will not be nee.
essary 10 enforce the laws, either State or
national, but the difference of sentiment
engendered by the great war which has
ragged for four years, will make tho pres-
c"ce Of a military force necessary to give
a feeling of security to tile people.
All classes disposed to obey the laws of
the country will feel this alike. To main
tain order the Government has been com.
peiied 10 retain volunteers. All white vol.
unteers have become dissatisfied, and
claim that the contract with them has been
violated by retaining them after the war
was over. By reason Of dissatisfaction
they arc no longer Of use, and every one
now remaining in the service might as
well be discharged at once. The colored
volunteer has equal right to claim his dis
charge, but as yet he has not done So
Low long will existing laws authorize the
tent'on OF this force, even if they arc con-
tent to remain The United States SEN
ate passed promptly Bill for tie reorgan-
'zation OF the army which, in my opinion,
is as free from objection as any great mea-
sure could possibly be, and it would sup>
ply the minimum requisite force. 1t gives
but few thousand additional men over.
the present organization, but gives large
number of additional battalions and COM
panies.
The public service, guarding routes over
the Plains, and giving protection in the
Southern States, demands the occupation
OF great number of posts. For many of
them small company is just as efficient
as one with more men in it would be. The
Bill before Congress, or tho one that has
passed the Senate, gives an increased num-
Der of companies by diminishing the
number of rank and file Of each company.
1t is an exceedingly appropriate measure
in this particular, for it provides for the
increase, when occasion requires more men.
The company is the smallest unit of Or
ganization that can be used without ma
terially ipjuriug discipline and efficiency.
The belief that Congress would act prompt.
ly on this matter, it their attention was
called 10 it, has induced me to respectfully
ask your attouion to it. II you agree
with me in. this matter, I would also ask, if
you deem it,propsr, that this, with such
indorsemept as you may be pleased to
make, be laid before Congress, through the
Speaker Of the House, -. ). -, !. :
Very seaRsc4ally. aoAf obedientseryant,,
.e.rU. s. aRAsNTs bieuteasnt, General.
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