Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-05-22
NO. Al.
GENERAL GRANT ON THE ARMY.

I 0AAAAN ON TIRE ARMY.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-The President
sent message to the House to-day. enclos.
ing the following communication from Lieu.
tenant Gen. Grant
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNrrrn
STATES, WASHINGTON, D. c., Nav 49,
lsoo.-Hon. E. M. Station, Secretary of War
Sir; In view of the long delay in the low
er House of Congress in agreeing upon a
plan OF reorganization of the army suitable
10 our present requirements, and the urgent
necessity for early action, am induced to
present the matter to you officially, and to
ask the attention of Congress 10 it, belieys
ing that when they have the matter fairly
before them, they will do what should be
done speedily.
AT the present time settlements are spring.
ing up with unusual rapidity in the district
OF country between the Missouri river and
Pacific rpa-o H.. ---------
were left in undisputed possession. Emf
grants arc pushing to those settlements and
to the gold fields Of the Rocky Mountains
by every available highway The people
focking to those regions are citizens of the
United States, and entitled to the protection
Of the government. They are developing
the resources ofthe country to its great ad-
vantage, thus making it the interest as well
as the duty ofthe government to give them
military protection. This makes a much
greater force west of the Mississippi neces-
sary than was ever heretofore required
small military force is required in all
tho faNa 1afalvy tr IA
be foreseen that this force will not be re-
quired fore some time to come. It is to be
hoped that this force will not be necessary
to enforce the laws, either State OF national.
But the difference Of the sentiment engen-
dered by the great war which has ragged for
four years will make the presence of mill
tarY force necessary, to give a feeling of
security to the people; all classes disposed to
obey the laws of the country will feel this
alike.
To maintain order the government has
been compelled to retain volunteers. All
white volunteers 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 are no longer of use, and might as well
be discharged at once
The colored volunteer has equal right to
claim his discharge, but as yet he has not
done so, How long will existing laws
authorize the retention of this force, even il
they are content to remainY The United
States Senate passed promptly bill for the
reorganization of the army, which, in my
opinion, is as free from objection as any
great measure could possibly be, and it
would supply the minimum requisite force.
1t gives but few thousand additional men
over the present organization, but gives a
large number additional batteries and COM
panies The public service, guarding routes
OF travel over the plains, and giving protec-
ton in the southern States, demands the oc-
cupation of great number of posts.
For many of them a small company is
just as efficient as one with more men in it
would be. The bill before Congress, or the
one that has passed the Senate, gives an in
creased number of ofcompanies by diminishing
the number of rank and file of each COM
pany. 1t is an exceedingly appropriate mea-
sure in this particular for it provides for the
increase when the occasion requires more
men. The company is the smallest unit of
an organization that can be used without
materially injuring discipline and efficiency
The beliefthat Congress would act prompt
ly ON this matter if their attention was called
to it, has induced me to respectfully ask
your attention it, If you agree with me
in this matter, would also ask, il you deem
it proper, that this, with such Endorsement
as you may be pleased to make, be laid
before Congress through the Speaker of the
House. Very respectfully,
Your 0bedient Servent,
U. s. GRANT, Lieutenant General.