The national Republican., 1866-12-04
Report OF General U. .. Grant, Com
manding Army.

HEADouARrERs ARMIEs fHB UNITKD STArEs,
WAsHIEaroN, Nov. II, l60S. 4
SIR: Since my report for 1855, the volunteer
force then in service has been almost entirely re-
placed BY the regular army, mostly organised un-
der the act OF Congress- approved 2Sth July, 1855.
The report Of the Adjutant General Of the army
gives exact statistics on this subject.
Passing from civil war Of the magnitude Of that
which tho United States has been engaged to gov.
srnment through the courts, II has been deemed
necessary to keep military force in all the lately
rebelious States, to insure the execution Of law,
and to protect life and property against the acts Of
those who, ~ yet, will acknowledgs NO law bat
force. This class has proven 10 Be much smaller
than could have been expected after such conflict
It has, however, been sufRoisntly formidable to jus.
tify the course which has been pursued. On the
whole the condition Of the States that we're In rs-
bellion against the Government may be regarded -
good enough to warrant the hope that but short
time will intervene before the bulk Of the troops
now occupying them can bs sent 10 our growing
territories, whore they are so much needed
respectfully refer you to th: reports Of Generals
sickles Mcdowell, Pope, and Steele, herewith, for
full information Of the condition Of the States and
Territories under their command. Tho last Of
these reports is but this moment received. Tho
time has passed when they should be In the hands
Of the printer to prepare them for presentation 70
would have to get ny facts fron thsss reports.
Time not permitting beg to refer to them In lieu
Of their condensation by me.
With the expiration Of the rebellion Indian hos
tilitss have diminished With frontier constantly
extending and enerosohins upon the hunting
grounds Of the Indian, hostilitiss opposition at
least frequently occur. To meet this, and to.pro.
tect the emigrant on his way to the mountain ter.
ritories, troops have been distributed to give the
best protection with the means at hand. Few
places are occupied BY more than txp and many
by but single company. These troops arc gener-
ally badly sheltered and are supplied at great cost
During the past summer inspections were made by
Generals Sherman, Pope, Ingalls,, sackstt and Bah
cock, TO determine the proper places to occupy to
give the best protection to travel and settlements
and to determine the most economical method Of
furnishing supplies. The labor Of putting up TEN.
porary quarters Is performed BY the troops intend.
ing to occupy them. In the course Of the next sea-
son more permanent buildings will have to bs
| erected, however, which will entail an expense for
material at least. would respectfully suggest,
therefore, that an appropriation for this special
purpose be asked. .rH
The permanent peace establishment being much
larger than has been heretofore provided for, an
appropriation for building barracks, storshousss,
The reports Of the heads Of the stat departments Of
the army, particularly that Of the Quartsrmastsr
General may cover this point.
would respectfully suggest for the considers.
tion Of Congress the propristy Of transferring the
| Indian bureau from the Interior to the War De.
p.rtusnt, and the abolition Of Indian agencies.
with the exception Of . limited number Of inspec
tors. The reason for this change seems to me both
obvious and satisfactory. It would result In greater
economy Of expenditure, and, - think, diminu-
tion Of conflict between the Indian and white racer
have the honor to bs, very respectfully, your
obedient servant, U. g. GRANT, General
Hon. E. M. STANTON. Secretary Of War.
The schedule Of reports Of military operations 40
oompanyins the report Of General Grant, for 1855,
are As follows:
Report of Lieut.. Gen. ". T. Sherman command
Ing military division Of the Missouri dated Novem.
ber B, 1866 Of the operations Of the troops under
his command during the past year. and forwarding
report Of Maj. Gen John Pope
Report Of Mai. Gen. II. W. Halleck. commsudius
military division Of the Pacific, transmitting the
reports Of Maj Gen. l. Mcdowell, commanding dc.
partment Of California, dated October 49, 1896 and
Maj. Gen. Y. Steele commanding department OIL
the Columbia, dated October 1856, Of the military
operations In their respective departments during
the past year.
Report Of Maj. Gen George @. Meade, command
ing department Of the East, dated October H. 1866
Of military operations in his command during tbs
present year.
ing department Of the Gulf, datsd November IA,
1896, Of operations since May 20, 1865.
Reports Of Brevet Maj Gen. T. J. Wood, com.
manding district Of Mississippi, and Brsvet Mai.
Gen. Jefferson @ Davis, commanding district Of
Kentucky, Of the military operations in their 70.
Ii. Thomas commanding department Of the Ten.
nessee.
Report Of Maj. Gen. D. d. sicklss, commanding
department Of the south, Of date October 80, 1896
Of military operations and general condition Of
| Affairs during the present year.