The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-19

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, d. c., May IL, lSGG.
H.u. z. VI. S'luiou, Secretary Of Var:
>ir.--lu view OF the long delay in the
.Nrr house of Congress in agreeing upon
a. plan of reorganization 81 the army suit
..lr 10 our present requirements, and the
gent necessity for carly action, am in
Hs,,d to present the matter to YOU
.sarially. and to ask the attention al Con
-Fr>S L. il, believing that when they have
the matter fairly before them they will do
that should b" done speedily.
At the present time settlements are
bringing up with unusual rapidity in the
district of country between the Missouri
Ever and the Pacific ocean, where hereto
..rr the Indian was left in undiSputcd pos
-.>,ion. EmigrautS are pushing 10 those
settlements and To the gold fields Of the
Rocky Mountains by every available high
uAy. The people iiocking those regions
lrr citizens Of the United States, and are
entitled to the protection of the Govern
mrat. They are developing the resources
3D.. the country Ia its great advantage, thus
making it the interest rs well rs duty L"
give them military protection. This makes
much greater force west of the MiSSiS
-ppi necessary than was ever heretofore
required.
\ small military force is required in all
lHr States heretofore in rebellion, and ii
,raof hc frc>Gcn that this force will not
Hr required Tor some time 10 come. 1t is
~ ur hoped that this force will not hc ne
..--Iry to enforce the laws, either State or
National. But the difference ofScntmcnt
H-'uGrrcd by the great war which has
aged for four years will make the pre-
,.Nrr ol military force necessary 10 give
IL feeling ot security 10 the people. All
classes disposed 10 obey the laws OF the
country will feel this alike. TO maintain
.riry, the Government has been compelled
10 retain volunteers. Allwhltc volunteers
lave become dissatisfied, and claim that
;.sr contract with them has been violated
uy retaining them after the war was over.
iSy reason al dissatisfaction they are no
longer ri use, and might as well be dis
yargcd al "ncc-cvcry one now remain
ing in the service. The colorcd volunteer
Zoo, equal right 10 claim his discharge, but
So Yet he has not done 50. How long will
'A@'u. laws authorize the retention OF this
i"rcr, even II they are content To remain
HE tnltcd States Senate passed
promptly It bill for the reorganization Of
the army, which, in my opinion, is as free
'1'i objection - any great measure could
possibly bc, aud which would supply the
MINIMUM requisite force. Ii gives but
'." lh"u>aud additional men over the pre-
.rnt organization, but gives large num-
l"r ni additional blttaliomS and companies. |
The pubic service, guarding routes of ira
70" over N plains and giving protection
I'D u'r southern States, demands the occu-
l"'ion of great number OF posts. For
many Of them small company is Just as
'Iacleut as one with more men in il would
'r. The bin before Congress, or the one
Gal has passed the Senate, gives increased
lumber Of companies BY diminishing the
number rank, and file Of each company.
ii D, an exceedingly appropriate measure
& This particular, for it provides for the
Increase when the occasion requires more
Mnn. The company is the smallest unit OF
".EanizatiOn that can be used without ma
'rFially injuring discipline and efficiency.
The belief that Congress would act
promptly Oh this matter If their attention
sd, called IL il has induced me 70 respect
ilIy ask your attention to il. Ii you agree
"llh me in this matter, would also ask, II
You deem il proper, that this, with such
Endorsement AS you may be pleased TO
u.ake, be laid before Congress through the
speaker Of the House.
Eeryrespectfully, your cbedient servant,
U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant.General,