The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-05-23
Comm munication from Lieutennnt-
General Grant.

The President sent q message to
the House on the 10th, enclosing the
following communication from Lieu
tenant-G General Grant:
HEADo'Rs ARMIES UNITED STATES.
WAsHINaToN, d. c., May 16, 1866.
Hon. E. NJ Stanton, Secretarv of Wo,.
SIR: In view of the long delay in
the lower House of Congress in
agreeing upon plan for the reor-
ganlzation of the army, suitable to
our present requirements, and the
urgent necessity for early action, I
am induced to present the matter to
you officially, and to ask the atten-
tlon OF Congress to it, believing that
when they have the matter fairly
before them they will do what should
be done speedily. At the present
time settlements are springing up
with unusual rapidity in the district
of country between the Missouri
River and the Pacific Ocean, where
heretofore the Indian was left i'm un-
disputed possession. Emigrants are
pushing to those settlements and to
the gold fields of the Rocky Noun
tains, by every available highway.
The people fiocking to these re-
gions are citizens of the United
States, and are entitled to the pro
lection of the Government. They
are developing the resources of the
country to its great advantage, thus
making it the interest as we'll as duty
to give them military protection.
This makes much greater force
West of the Mississippi necessary
than was ever heretofore required.
A small military force is required in
all the States lately in rebellion, and
1t 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 necessary to enforce
the laws, either State or national, but
the difference of sentiment engen-
dered by the great war which has
ragged for four years will make the
presence of a military force neces-
sary to give feeling of security to
the people.
All classes disposed to obey the
laws of the country will feel this
alike. To maintain order, the Co.
vernment has been compelled to re-
tain 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 dissatis-
faction, they are no longer of use,
and every one now remaining in the
service might as we'll 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 if they
are content to remain? The United
States Senate passed promptly bill
Tor 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 It gives
but few thousand additional men
over the present organization, but
gives large number of additional
battaions and companies.
The public service, guarding routes
over the Plains, and giving protection
In the Southern States, demands the
occupation of n great number Of posts.
For many of them, Il small company
is just as efficient as one with more
men in it would be Tie bill before
Congress, or the one that has passed
the Senate, gives an increased num-
Der of companies by diminishing the
number of rank and file of each COM
pany. 1t is an exceedingly appro-
pirate measure in this particular, for
1t provides for the increase, when
occasion requires more mon. The
company is the smallest unit of or
ganization that can be used without
materially injuring discipline and
efficiency. The belief that Congress
would act promptly ON this matter, if
their attention was called to it, has
induced me to respectfully ask your
attention to it. If you agree with
me In this matter, l would also ask,
if you deem it proper, that this, with
such endorsement as you may be
pleased to make, be laid before Con
gress, through the Speaker of the
House.
Very respectfully, your obedient
servant. L. S. GRANT,
! Lieutenant General.