The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-09-13
Gen. Grant 10 President Johnson

HONS ARMIES OF THE U. S.
WASHINGTON, D.. c., Aug. II, 1861,
His Erceiiency, -ARdrcw johnson, PreSident 0
The United States.
SIR:-I am in receipt OF your order of thii
date, directing the assignment of General G
H.. Thomas to the command Of the Fifth Mi.
itaIy District, General Sheridan TO the De,
partment of tho Missouri and General Han,
cock to the Department of the Cumberland
also your note of this date (enclOsing these
Instructions saying: Before yOu ISSUE
instructions to carry into effect the enclosed
order | would be pleased to lear any sugges-
tons you may deem necessary respecting the
assignments to which the order REFERS"
am pleased to avail myself of this invita-
ton to urge, earnestly urge-urRe in the
name of a PATRIOTS people who have sacri-
feed hundreds of thousands Of loyal lives
and thousands of millions of treasure to pre-
serve the integrity and union Of this country
that this order be not insisted on. 1t is I'M
mistakably the expressed wish Of the coun-
try that General Sheridan should not be re.
moved from his present command. THIS is n
republic where the will Of the people is the
law Of the land. | beg that their voice may
be heard.
General Sheridan has performed bis civil
duties faithfully and intelligently. His re-
moval will only be regarded as m effort to
defeat the laws Of Congress. II will be inter-
preted by the unrecOnstrgcted 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 a wiumph. 1t
will embolden them to renewed opposition to
the will of the loyal masses, believing that
they have the Executive with them.
The service Of General Thomas in battling
for the Union entities Tim to some considera-
ton. He has recently entered his protest
against being assigned 10 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 department is a COM
plicated one, which will take q new comman-
der some time to become acquainted with.
There are military reasons, pecnniary reA-
sons, and above all, patriotic reasons, why
this order should not be insisted on.
| beg to refer 70 a letter, marked private,
which | wrote to the President when first
consulted on the subject of the change in
the War Department. IL bears upon the sub
ject of this removal, and | hoped would have
prevented it.
! have the honor to be, with great respect,
your obedient servant.
U. S. GRANT, Gen. U. s. A.,
and Secretary Of War, ad interim.
JOHNSON PERSISTS IN REMOVING GEN. SHERIDAN.
The following is the order Of the President
assigning Gems. Candy and Hancock
"Brevet Maj. Gen. Edward r. 5. Candy is
hereby assigned to the command Of the Sc
cOnd Military District, created by an act Of
Congress Of March I'd, and Of the military
department of the South, embracing the
States Of North and South Carolina.
He VIII, as soon as practicable, relieve Maj.
Daniel Z. Sickles, and, on assuming the COM
mand to which be is hereby assigned, will,
when necessary to a faithful execution Of
the laws, exercise any and all powers eouierr-
ed By the acts Of Congress upon the District
Commanders, and any and all authority per-
tanning to officers Ia command Of the Military
Maj. Gen. Daniel z. Siekles IL hereby re-
from command Of the Second Military
District.
The Secretary Of War ad interim, will give
the necessary Instructions TO carry this order
into effect.
(signed) ANDREW JOHNSON"