Des Arc citizen., 1866-05-26
DIES ARC, ARK. MAY 26, 1866.
LETTER. FROM CEN. GRANT.

We copy the following from the Missouri Democrat, of the 18th.
 WASHINGTON, May 17.--fhe President to- day sent brief message to the House, includ- ing the following letter from General Grant: HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, WASHINGTON, D. C., May l6, 1S66.- 70 Hon. z. IH .Stonton, Secretary Qf War: In view of the long delay in the lower House in agreeing upon plan of reorganization of the army suitable to our present requirements and the urgent necessity for early action, am induced to present the matter to yon officially. and to ask the attention of Congress to it, be- hcving 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 dis trict of country between the Missouri river and the Pacific ocean, where heretofore the Indian was left in undisputed possession. Emigrants are pushing on to those settlements ana to the gold fields of-the Rocky Mountains by every available highway. The people who are docking to those regions are citizens of the United States, and are entitled to the pro lection of the Government. They are develop ing the resources of the country to it's great advantage, thus making it the interest as well as the duty to give them military protection. This makes much greater force west of the Mississippi than was ever heretofore required. small military force is required in all the States heretofore in rebellion and it cannot be foresecn that this force will not berequired for some time to come It is to be hoped that this force will not be necessary to enforce the laws in those States or Nation. But the differ ence of sentiment 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 coun- try 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 af- ter the war was over By reason of dissatis- faction they are no longer of use and might as we'll be discharged at once--every one now remaining in the service. The eolored volun- teer has equal rights to claim his discharge, but as yet he has not done so. How long will existing laws authorize tho retention of this force, even if they are content to remain?
 The United States Senate passed promptly l bill for the reorganization of the army, which, in my opinion, is as free from objection as any great measure can possibly be, and which would supply the minimum requisite force It gives but few thousand additional men over tho present organization, but gives a large number of additional battalions and companies. The public service, guarding routes of travel over the Plains, and giving l protection in the Southern States, demands the lsoceupation of a great number of posts; for many of them 6 small company is just as | efficient as one with more men n it would be- l The bill before Congress, or the one that has passed the Senate, gives an increased number of companies by diminishing the rank and file of each company. It is an exceedingly ap propriate measure in this particular, forit pro. vides for it's increase when occasion requires more men, The company is the smallest limit of organization that can be used without ma terialy injuring discipline and efficiency.
 The eliefthat Congress would act promptly in this matter, iftheir attention was called to it, has induced me to respectfully call your attention to it, and 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 Congress, through the Speaker of the House
 Very respectfully,
 U s GRANT, Lieut.. Gen. | This letter was referred to the Military l Committee An en'crt was made to couple | with it instructions that the Committee at once report the pending Senate bill reorgan- izing and enlarging the army, but the endeavor was not successful That Committee, as is we'll known, is much opposed to the Senate bill. It is understood that they have inform ally agreed upon modified form of their own :. bill some time ago, but the temper of the 1 House has been 50 adverse to ans. army bill l that they have not felt warranted in bringing l it forward. The letter of the Lieutenant Gen l eral will probably give some gentlemen new
 ideas of the wants of the country, and it is likely the House will be constrained to early action in the matter.