Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-08-07
HIGHLY IMPORTANT MILITARY COR.
RESP0NDENCE.
Gen. Grant Sustains Sheridan and Con.
demns the Stanberry Opinion.

Recently the Secretary of War sent to the House
large mass of papers, in reply to resolution of
that body calling for information in relation to the
execution of the Reconstruction acts Among these
were the correspondence between Grant and Sheri.
dan on the reconstruction question, which are i'm
portant showing the unity of sentiment between
these two eminent commanders as the bes. mode of
restoring the Southern States to full fellowship in
the Union. We give the more pertinent portions
of this correspondence
GEN. GRANT TO GEN. SHERIDAN, JUNE 7.
GsneraE-I see dispatch from Washington an
nouncing that the Secretary of War and myself
favored a reprimand for your action in removing
the Governor Of Louisiana. not even in the
city at the time There is not one word of truth in
the story.
[Signedl u S. GRANT, General
GEN. SHERIDAN TO GEN. GRANT, JUNE 8.
Gov. Flanders assumed the duties of his Office to-
day. He is a man of integrity and ability and I
now feel as though l was relieved of half my la
bors. As it has been heretofore there secu-
rity and feel the people of the whole State feel,
that we have got rid of an unprincipled Governor
and disreputable trcksters which he had about him.
Nothing will answer here but e bold course and in
taking it l am supported unanimously by every
class and party.
TSignedi PHI SHERIDAN,
Major General
GEN SHERIDAN TO GEN. GRANT, JULY 7.
The result of Stanberry's opinion is now begin
ming TO show itself by a defiant opposition to all
acts of the military commanders, by impeding and
rendering helpless the civil officers acting under his
appointment. For instance, the Mayor of the city
notifies the Common Council that one and quarter
million Of dollars of illegal money has been issued
by the Comptroller Of the Treasury. The Common
Council refuses to investigate the matter to aseer-
tain the facts and the City Attorney refuses to sue
out an Injunction 10 stop the ISSUE fear the chaos
which the opinion will make if carried out, IS but
little understood and every civil officer IN this State
will administer justice according to hi own view.
MANY of them, denOuncing the military bill as un-
constitutional will throw every impediment in the
way OF its execution, and bad will go to worse un-
less this embarrassing condition of affairs is settled
by permitting to go on in my past course, which
was indorsed by all the people except those disran-
chised most of whom are Office holders or desire to
be SUCH
TSigned1 P. 81. SHERIDAN,
Major General
GEN. SHERIDAN TO GEN. GRANT, JUNE 2s.
I am in receipt of communication from the
Adiutant General dated the 28th of june in refer
ence to registration. l am at loss to know wheth-
er it is an order or not The form and phraseolOgy
is not that of an order, but may be mistaken, and
ask for information whether to regard it as an
order
P. 81. SHERIDAN, Maj. Gen.
GEN. GRANT TO GEN. SHERIDAN, JUNE 2s.
Your dispatch of yesterday received Enforce
your own construction of the military bill unless
ordered to do otherwise. The opinion of the At
torney General has not been distributed to district
commanders in language or manner emitting 1t to
the force of an order nor can / suppose that the
President intended it to have such force.
rSignedl U. S. GRANT, General.
GEN. GRANT TO GEN. SHERIDAN, JUNE 90.
think it advisable for you to extend the time for
registration in Louisiana until the 10th of July,
throughout the State. The President will have re-
turned before that and will decide to the further
extension.
Q. s. GRANT, General
GEN. SHERIDAN TO GEN. GRANT, JUNE 2e.
The registration of the State of Louisiana will be
continued in obedience to the order of the President
unless receive further orders from him to the
trary.
P. n. SHERIDAN, Maj Gen.
GEN. SHERIDAN TO GEN. GRANT, JULY 2.
I did not get your dispatch of June 10Th until
to-day. 1t misaid in the Washington office.
l had already ordered the extension of the State,
except in the parish of Orleans, until the 18th of
july and after the receipt OF your letter of the
the extension was made indefinite. The boards now
have nothing to do in the city and in most of the
parishes.
L. u DHEhlDAN, MAJ Oeu.
GEN. GRANT TO GEN. ORD, JUNE %.
Brsvet Maj. Gen. E. o. c. Ord, Commencing the
Military Fourth District:
A copy of your final instructions to the Board OF
Registration Of June 10, 1867, is just received.
entirely dissent from the views contained in para
graph T. Your views rs to the duty of registrars to
register every man who will take the required OATH
though they may know the applicant perjures him
self is sustained by the Attorney General. Ny
opinion is that ii IS the duty Of the Board Of Regis
tratioa to SEE as far as IL lies IN their Pot0er that no
unauthorized person ao1oea to register To secure
this end Registers should be allowed to administer
oaths and examine witnesses The law, however
makes district commanders their own Interpreters
of the power and duty under it, and in my opinion
the Attorney General or myself can do no more thar
give cur opinion as to the meaning of the law
Neither can enforce their views against the judg
ment of those made responsible for the faithful
ecution of the law the district commanders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
.. s. GRANT, General