The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-08-28
TIE onpER OF REMOVAL.
EXECUTIVE MANSION.


WAsHINGToN, d. c., Aug. IL, 1867.
Major General George b. Thomas is
hereby assigned TO the command of the
Fifth Military District, created by the
act OF Congress passed on the second
day of March, 1867.
Major General P. Fl. Sheridan is here
by assigned to the command of the De-
partment of the Missouri.
Major General Winfield s. Hancock
is hereby assigned to the command of
the Department of the Cumberland.
The Secretary of War dd interim Will
give the necessary instructions to carry
this order into effect.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
GEN. eRASTTo PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
HEADo's, ARMIES OF THE UNITED
STATES, WASHINGToN, d. G,
August II, 1867.
HIS EEceELencv ARGretG johnson, PTeSi-
dent of the United States:
S1R-I am in receipt OF your order OF
this date, directing the assignment OF
General g. Ill. Thomas to the command
of the Fifth Military District, General
Sheridan 10 the Department of the Mis-
souri, and General Hancock to the De
partment of the Cumberland; also your
note of this date enclosing these in
sLruCtiUnsl saying, Before you issue
instructions TO carry into effect the en-
closed order 1 would be pleased 10 hear
any suggestions you may deem neces-
sary respecting the assignments TO
which the order REFERS" y
/ am pleased TO avail myself of this
invitation to urge, earnestly urge-urge
in the name OF IA patriotic people who
have sacrificed hundreds of thousands
OF loyal lives and thousands of millions
of treasure to preserve the integrity and
union of the country-that this order
be not insisted on. It is unmistakably
the expressed wish of the country that
General Sheridan should not be re-
moved from his present command. This
is republic where the Will of the peo
pie Is the law OF the land. | beg that
their voice may be heard.
General Sheridan has performed his
civil duties faithfully and intelligently.
His removal will only be regarded as
an effort TO defeat the laws of Congress.
1t will be interpreted by the unrecon-
structed element in the South-those
who did all they could to break up this
Government by arms, and now wish to
be the only element consulted as TO the
method of restoring order-aS tri-
umph. twill emboldeni them to re-
newed opposition TO the will of the
loyal masses, believing 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 as
signed TO either of the five military dis
tricIs, and especially being assigned to
relieve General Sheridan. ID. -.
General Hancock ought not to be re-
moved from where he is. His depart
ment is complicated one, which will
take new commander some time to
become acquainted with.
There are military reasons, pecu mary
reasons, and. above all, patriotic rea-
sons, why this order should not be in
sisted on.
1 beg to refer to letter, marked pri-
vate, which 1 wrote TO the President
when first consulted on the subject of
the change In the War Department. 1t
bears upon the subject of this removal,
and had noped would have prevented
it. -tI -H+ -'
1 have the honor to be, with great re-
spect, your obedieut servant,
U. S. GRANT, Gen. Q. S. Army,
and Secretary OF War dd interim.