The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-21
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Removal OF Sheridan -ElCkles to Go
West-ImpOrtant Letter from
Gen. Grant, Etc.
From he ". y. Herald.
sharidan's RemovAl.


WASHINGTON August 20.-Tbe assignments, IL
will be noticed, are exactly as 1 have stated in
my previous dispatches, though still have rea-
son to think that Hancock may even yet get
command Of the Fifth Military District should
a certain contingency occur. The order as pro-
mulgated to-day is somewhat different from that
which was at first prepared some weeks ago.
The language OF the hrst order was rather
stronger, stating that the ground for the
removal of Sheridan was that he was an impedl-
ment TO national and constitutional recOnstruc-
tion. The Presidenpa order directing General
Grant to issue the necessary instructlons to
carry out the removal of Sheridan is dated
the 18th - last Saturday - and was received
by Grant on that day. have information from
a high source that Immediately on receiving the
order General Grant protested against the
action. It occurred pretty much in this wise:-
The President, in an unofficial note, submitted
the order to the General, and suggested that he
would be happy to receive any suggestion on
the subject that the General might consider
proper. This note was simply intended as an
Invitation to General Grant to suggest any
changes in the reassisnment OF the three gene
rails in question. General Grant, however,
seems to have regarded the note in another light
and accordingly sat down and wrote long
statement to the President protesting
against Sheridan's removal, and giving his res-
sons therefor. This letter is written in very
friendly way, entirely respectful, and altogether
without reproach. l do not pretend to give
even the substance of the letter, but know
that the General took the ground that the step
would be contrary to the wishes of the people
of the American republic. The General dWells
on this point, and suggests that the wishes OF
the people ought to be respected. This letter
was written on Saturday, and was received by
the President on Monday.
Mr.. johnson ans Wered the letter on the day
of its reception. The answer of the President is
pretty full, and much in the same friendly style
as Grants. The President alluded in terms of
praise to the military services of Gen. Sheridan
especially as gallant and dashiDg cavalry officer,
who deserved well of the country, but stated
that in the present condition of the country the
national interests could sustain no loss by the
transfer of Little Phil" TO the Department of
Missouri, and the appointment Of General Thomas
to the command of the Fifth Military District.
General Thomas, the President stated, was an
officer whose services were also of high
order, and by no means inferior to those rem
dered by General Sheridan. He believed more
over, that Thomas possessed the discretion, pru-
dence, ripe judgment and impartial mind that
fitted him in higher degree than Sheridan for
the command of the Fifth Military District, and
in making the proposed change he (the Presl-
dent) was only acting for the best Interests of
the country at large. AS to the illusions made
by General Grant to the wishes of the Ameri-
can people, he (the President) asks to be in.
formed when the question of the removal of
Sheridan bad been submitted to the American
people for an expression OF their opinion. He
(the President) believed that the supreme wish
of the American people was expressed in the
American Constitution. He believed the Ameri-
can people desired that their Constitution
should be obeyed, and he believed that Sheridan
was not administering the government of the
Fifth District according to the spirit or intent of
the Constitution.
These are about the chief points OF the )rres-
pondence. Both the President and General
Grant decline to give the correspondence to the
press, but you may rely that the above state
ment is substantially correct. l am informed
that General Grant promulgated the order be-
fore receiving the Presidents answer, and that
since this epistolary interchange of views they
have had an interview and came 10 salts
factory conclusion on the subject.
General Grant attended the Cabinet meeting
to-day, and harmonized pretty fully with the
other advisers of the President. Indeed, am
now informed that Grant is IN pretty fair accord
with the President, and that their relations are
quite cordial.
Probable EARLY Removal OF General
General Sickles is likely to be the next victim
of the Presidential guillotine. 1t is understood
that lately he has taken many steps entirely
antagonistic to the Presidents policy, and that
unless he recedes pretty promptly he will be
removed. The trouble gro VS. out of his inter-
| fering with the mandates of the United States
Supreme Court IN wilmington, N. G. | tele-
| mature deliberation with his Cabinet, had re-
scinded sickles' famous Order No. 10, and
ordered General Grant to instruct General
Sickles accordingly. The United States Attorney
| General also gave instructions to the
| United States Marshal at Wilmington to
prosecute criminally all parties obstruct-
| ing the execution OF the process OF the
| Supreme Court. General Sickles, it seems, in
disregard of these instructions, has ordered his
subordinate at Wilmington to pay no heed to
| this order of the Attorney General until fur
ther advised by him General sieklesl on the
subject. This is regarded as palpa6le con-
| tempt of the order OF the President, who con-
siders that according to the decision of the
| Chief Justice, the Supreme Court is in full ope
| ration in the South, and its mandates should be
| oheved General SiCkles, 1t Is understood, takes
fbe ground that if the Federal courts are per-
miited 10 enforce their decisions in his district,
thew may very soon declare the Reconstruction
acts unconstitutional and void. 1t is said that
| General Sickles has written spicy letter to
| General Grant on the subject.
| Thirty theatres amuse Paris.