The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-09
Enclosure. |
WASHINGTON, Jan. 90. 1866.

"AoDINblcNs " 90, IODo.
Hon. E. NJ. STANTON, Secretary of War:
From the period of the difficulties between
Mai Gen. tnow Lieut. Gen Scott with
Secretary Marcy, during the Administration
Of President Polk, the command of the Army
virtually passed into the hands of the Secre-
tary of War.
From that day to the breaking out Of the
rebellion the General-in-C never kept his
Headquarters in Washington, and could not,
consequently, with propriety resume his
proper functions. To administer the affairs
of the Army properly, Headquarters and the
Adiutant-GeneraPs Office must be in the same
place.
During the war, while in the field my
functions as commander of all the armies was
never impaired, but were facilitated in all
essential matters by the Administration and
by the War Department. Now, however. that
the war is over, and have brought ny Head
quarters to the city, find my present position
embarrassing and, | think out OF place
have been intending. or did intend, to make
the beginning Of the New Year the time TO
bring this matter before you, with the view
of asking TO have the old condition of affairs
restored, but from difiidence about mention
Ing the matter have delayed. in few words
| viii state what | conceive TO be my duties
and my place, and ask respectfully to be re-
stored to them and it.
The entire Adiutant- Generals office should
be under the entire control Of the General-in-
Chief of the Army. No orders should 90 to
the Army or the Adjutant- General, excep.
through the GeneTal-in-Chief. Such as re-
| quire the action of the President would be
/ laid before the Secretary OF War, whose actions
would be regarded as those of the President
/ in short, in my opinion, the General-in-C Chief
stands between the President and the Army
| in all official matters, and the Secretary of
/ War is between the Army through the Gen
eral-in Chief and the President.
i can very well conceive that rule SO long
disregaIded could not, or would not, be re-
stored without the subject being presented,
and now do 50 respectfully for your consider
alton. u. S. GRANT, Northumberland
Gen. Belknap never answered that
letter.
In August, 1870, was held at Des
Moines, Iowa, an encampment of old
soldiers, which | attended, en- route to
the Pacific, and at Omaha received this
letter:
Long BRANCH, n. j., Aug. 18, 1870
Gen. w. T. SHERMAN.
DEAR GENERAL: Your letter of the 7tl
inst did not reach Long Branch until after ]
had left for st. Louis, and consequently is
Just before me for the first time ! do 10:
| know what changes recent laws, particularly
the last Army bill passed make in the rea
tions between the General OF the Army and
the Secretary of War
Not having this law or other statutes here
] cannot examine the su. ject now, nor would
/ want 10 without consultation with the See
retaTy of War On our return to Washing
ton have no doubt but that the relations be
tween the Secretary and yourself can be m,dt
pleasant and the duties Of each be so clearly
defined rs to leave no doubt where the author
ity of one leaves OF and the other com
mences.
My own views, when commanding tn,
Army, were that orders 10 the Army shoulC
! go through the General. No changes should
be made however, either OF the location o
troops or officers, without the knowledge O
the Secretary of War.
, In peace, the General commanded then
, without reporting TO the Secretary furthe
. than he chose the specific orders he gave from
: time to time. but subjected himself 10 order
from the Secretary the latter deriving hi
authority TO give orders from the President
As Congress has the right, however. to max
t rules and regulations for the government oft
Army, rales made by them, whether they ar
! as they should he or not, will have to govern