The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-05-18
Communie alton from Gen. Grant.
WASHINGTON, May II.
: The President sent . message to the House
to-day enclosing the following communica-
ton from Lieut.. Gen. Grant.
HEAD QuARrERs ARMIES OF TIE
U. S., WASHINGTON. D. c., 8
Nav 18th 1896

u. D., NASHlNGTON. ~. u,
May 10th, 1866.
To Hon E. M. Stanton Secretary of War:
SIR In view Of the long delay in the
lower House in agreeing upon plan for the
reorganization Of the army suitable TO onr
present requirements, and the urgent neces-
sity for early action, am induced TO present
| the matter to you officially, and to ask the
| attention 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 activity in the district Of coun-
try between the Missouri river and the
| Pacific Ocean, where, heretofore, the Indian
was left in undisturbed possession. Emil
grants are pushing to those settlements and
TO the gold fields of the Rocky Mountains by
every available highway. fhe people flock
ing to those regions are citizens of the
United States, and are entitled to the
protection Of the Government. They are de-
veloping the resources Of the country to its
great advantage, thus making it the interest,
as well as the duty. to give them military pro-
lection. 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 re-
bellIon, and it cannot be foreseen that this
force will not be required for some time to
come. 1t is to be hoped tha, this force will
not be necessary to enforce the laws, either
State or national. but the difference of senti.
ments ehgendered by the great war which was
waged for four years, will make the presence
of military force necessary TO give feeling
Of security to the people. All classes dis
posed to obey the laws Of the country will
feel thus alike to maintain order. The Gov
ernment has been compelled to retain volun
teers all the while. 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 dissat
isfaction 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 an equal right
to claim his discharge. but as yet he has not
done so. How long will existing laws author
ize the retention OF this force, even if they
are content to remain?
The United States Senate passed promptly
bill for the reorganization of the army,
which, In my opinion, is as free from objec-
tion as any great measure could possibly be.
and it would supply the minimum requisite
forces. 1t gives but a few thousand addi-
tional men over the present organization. but
gives large number of additional battaliops
and companies, and the public service.
guarding routes over the plains, and giving
protection in the Southern States, demand
the occupation of great number of posts.
For many of them small company is just as
efficient as one with more men,
It would be the bill before Congress.
or the one that has passed the
Senate giving an increased number of
companies by diminishing the rank and file
of each company. 1t is an exceedingly ap-
propriate measure in this particular, for it
provides for the increase when the occa-
sion requires more men. The com
pany is the smallest unit Of organization
that can be used without materially injuring
dicipline and efficiency. The beliefthat Con
gress would act promptly in this matter i'll
their attention was called to it, has induced
me to respectfully ask your attention to it.
II you agree with me in this matter, / would
also asx if you deem it proper that this, with
such endorsement as you may be pleased to
make, or defer, through the Speaker Of the
House. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
L. S. GRANT, 1t. Gen.