Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-08-27

Grant upon the Removal of Sheri-
dan--His Letter in Reply to the
Presidents Order Making the
Change-Cholera on the Plains
Fatal Effects upon the Troops
Removal of Gen. Siokles by the
President-Gen. Candy Appoint
ed his Successor.
WASHINGTON, August 27,-A private
letter from Fort Hayes, Kansas, of the
10th, says the cholera has been the
scourge of the plains this summer, and it
seems strange that it should ever become
epidemic here, the air being so free and
so many thousands Of square miles of it.
One company of cavalry at that post lost
twenty,one men by cholera, and thus far
eighty.two mer IN all have died with the
cholera at that post.
The following order has been issued
removing General Sickles:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, d. G.. August u.
Brevet Major General Ed. r. Candy is
hereby assigned to the command Of the
Second Military District--created by an
act of Congress, March q, lS67-and
the military department of the South,
embracing the States of North Carolina
and South Carolina. He win as soon as
practicable relieve Major General Dan'l
e. Sickles; and, on assuming command
to which he is hereby assigned, will when
necessary to the faithful execution of laws
exercise any and all powers conferred by
acts of Congress upon District Com
manders, and any and all authority
pertaining to officers in command of
Military Departments. Major General
Daniel Z. Sickles is hereby relieved from
command of the Second Military Dis
triet. The Secretary of War ad interim
will give the necessary instruction to
carry this order into effect.
(Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, August 26.-The reply
of Gen. Grant to the President, upon re-
ceipt of the order removing General
Sheridan and making other changes in
the military districts, reads as follows:
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES ARMIES,
WASHINGTON, Augustfl7, 1867. J
His Exeellency Andrew johnson, President of
the United States:
SIR: ! am in receipt of your order Of
this date, directing me to appoint Gen.
G. II. Thomas to the command of the
Fifth Military District, Gen. Sheridan to
the Department of the Missouri, and.
Gen, Hancock to the Department of the
Cumberland and also your note of this
date, inclosing their instructions. ITO
carry into effect the inclosed order, |
would be pleased to hear any sugges-
tons you may deem necessary. re-
specting the assignments to which
the order refers" am pleased to avail
myself of this invitation to urge earn
estly, in the name of the patriotic people
who have sacrificed hundreds OF thou
sands Of lives and thousands of mil
lions of treasure to preserve the
integrity of this country that this
order be not issued 1t is Enthusiastically
the expressed wish of the country that
General Sheridan should not be removed
from his present command. This is a
republic where the will of the people is
the law of the land.
| beg that their voice shall be needed.
General Sheridan has performed his
civil duties faithfully and intelligently,
and his removal will only be regarded as
an effort to defeat the laws OF Congress.
1t will be interpreted by the unrecon-
structed element of the South, those who
did all they could to break up this Gov
eminent by arms, and now wish to be
the only element consulted MS TO the
method Of restoring order and triumph !;
it will em5olden them to renewed oppo-
sition TO the will of the loyal masses, be.
lieving that they have the Executive
with them.
The services Of General Thomas, in
battling for the Union, entitle him to
some consideration he has repeatedly
entered his protest against being
assigned to either Of the five military
districts, and especially TO being as
signed to relieve General Sheridan.
General Hancock ought not to be
removed from where he is; his depart
ment is complicated one, which viii
take a new commander some time TO
become acquainted with. There are
military reasons, pecuniary reasons,
and, above all, patriotic reasons, why
this order should not be isrued. ! beg
20 refer 10 a letter marked private, which
I wrote to the President when FIRST con-
suited on the subject Of change in the
War Department II bears upon the
subject OF this removal, and ! had hoped
it would have prevented IT,
have the honor 10 be, with great
respect, your obedient servant,
U. 5. grant,
General United States Army aud See'y
Of War cd interim.