Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-05-18
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FROM WASHINGTON.
Tho Army-COmmnnIcaIiOn from
Gen. Grant Recommending Ac-
lion by Congress.

The Army-COmmnn IcaIiOn from
Gen. Grant Recommending Ac-
lion by Congress.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE President
sent message to the House to-day inclos-
ing the following communication from
Lieutenant-General Grant: .~
/ HEADQ'Rs. ARMIES OF THE U. s.,
Of WAsHINGToN, ID. G., May 1G, 1866.
To Hon rable Edtoin NJ. Stanton, Secretary Of
War: .IHj' .'
In view of the long delay in the
lower house Of Congress In agreeing upon
a plan 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
cially, and to ask the attention of Congress
to 1t, 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 hereto
fore the Indian was left in undisputed
possession. EmigTants are pushing to those
settlements and to the gold fields of the
Rocky mountains by every available high
way. The people docking to these regions
are citizens of the United States, and are
entitled to the protection of the Govern
Inent. They are developing the resources of
the country to its great advantage, thus
making it the interest as well duty to give
TO them military protection. This makes
q much greater force west of the Mis-
sissippi necessary than was ever before
required. A small military force is re-
quired in all the States lately in rebellion,
aud IL ponnnt ha fnrncpnn fhat this fnrnn
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 senti-
ment engendered by the great war which
has ragged for four years, will make the
presence of military force necessary 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 Government has
been compelled to retain volunteers 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 dis
satisfaction they are no longer of use, and
every one now remaining in the service
might as well be discharged at once. The
cOlOred volunteer has an equal right to
claim his discharge, butas yet he has not
done so. How lolg will existing laws au-
thOrize the retention of this force, even it
they are content to remain?
The United States Senate passed a 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
forces. 1t gives but few thousand ad-
ditional men over the present organization,
but gives large number of additional bat
taliOns and companies, and the public SER
vice, guarding routes and plains, and Civ
ing protection in the Southern States de-
mand the occupation of great number
Of bOsis. For many of them small
company is just as efficient as one with
more men would be. The bill before Con-
gresS, or the one thai has passed the Senate,
gives an increased number of companies by
diminishing the number of rank and file of
each company. It's an exceedingly appro-
pirate measure in this particular, for it pro-
vides for the increase when occasion re-
quires more men. The company is the
smallest unit of organization that can be
used without materially injuring discipline
and efficiency.
The belief that Congress would act
promptly OH this matter if their attention
was called to II, has induced me to respect
fully ask your attention to it. If youagre
with me in this matter, | would also ask, if
you,deem it proper, that this, with such in
dorsement as you may be pleased to make,
be laid before Congress, through the Speaker
of the House. ..--.
Very respectfully,
- s.... Your obedient servant,
.....i U. S. GRANT, 1t. Gen.