Thetroopswerepostedtothebestadvantagetoprotectthepartiesengagedinbuildingtheseroads，andinpersonIreconnoitredwelltothefront，traversingthebuffaloregionsfromsouthtonorth，andfromeasttowest，oftenwithaverysmallescort，minglingwiththeIndianswheneversafe，andtherebygainedpersonalknowledgeofmatterswhichenabledmetousethetroopstothebestadvantage。Iamsurethatwithoutthecourageandactivityofthedepartmentcommanderswiththesmallbodiesofregulartroopsontheplainsduringtheyears1866——’69，thePacificRailroadscouldnothavebeenbuilt;butoncebuiltandinfulloperationthefateofthebuffaloandIndianwassettledforalltimetocome。
Atthecloseofthecivilwartherewereonemillionfivehundredandsixteennamesonthemuster—rolls，ofwhichsevenhundredandninetyseventhousandeighthundredandsevenwerepresent，andtwohundredandtwothousandsevenhundredandnineabsent，ofwhichtwenty—twothousandninehundredandtwenty—ninewereregulars，theotherswerevolunteers，coloredtroops，andveteranreserves。Theregularsconsistedofsixregimentsofcavalry，fiveofartillery，andnineteenofinfantry。BytheactofJuly28，1866，thepeaceestablishmentwasfixedatonegeneral（Grant），onelieutenant—
general（Sherman），fivemajor—generals（Halleck，Meade，Sheridan，Thomas，andHancock），tenbrigadiers（McDowell，Cooke，Pope，Hooker，Schofield，Howard，Terry，Ord，Canby，andRousseau），tenregimentsofcavalry，fiveofartillery，andforty—fiveofinfantry，admittingofanaggregateforceoffifty—fourthousandsixhundredandforty—onemen。
Allothersweremusteredout，andthuswereremandedtotheirhomesnearlyamillionofstrong，vigorousmenwhohadimbibedthesomewhaterratichabitsofthesoldier;thesewereofeveryprofessionandtradeinlife，who，onregainingtheirhomes，foundtheirplacesoccupiedbyothers，thattheirfriendsandneighborsweredifferent，andthattheythemselveshadchanged。TheynaturallylookedfornewhomestothegreatWest，tothenewTerritoriesandStatesasfarasthePacificcoast，andwerealizeto—daythatthevigorousmenwhocontrolKansas，Nebraska，Dakota，Montana，Colorado，etc。，etc。，weresoldiersofthecivilwar。
Thesemenflockedtotheplains，andwereratherstimulatedthanretardedbythedangerofanIndianwar。Thiswasanotherpotentagencyinproducingtheresultweenjoyto—day，inhavinginsoshortatimereplacedthewildbuffaloesbymorenumerousherdsoftamecattle，andbysubstitutingfortheuselessIndianstheintelligentownersofproductivefarmsandcattle—ranches。
WhilethesegreatchangeswerebeingwroughtattheWest，intheEastpoliticshadresumedfullsway，andallthemethodsofanti—wartimeshadbeenrenewed。PresidentJohnsonhaddifferedwithhispartyastothebestmethodofreconstructingtheStategovernmentsoftheSouth，whichhadbeendestroyedandimpoverishedbythewar，andthepressbegantoagitatethequestionofthenextPresident。Ofcourse，allUnionmennaturallyturnedtoGeneralGrant，andtheresultwasjealousyofhimbythepersonalfriendsofPresidentJohnsonandsomeofhiscabinet。Mr。Johnsonalwaysseemedverypatrioticandfriendly，andIbelievedhimhonestandsincereinhisdeclaredpurposetofollowstrictlytheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesinrestoringtheSouthernStatestotheirnormalplaceintheUnion;butthesamecordialfriendshipsubsistedbetweenGeneralGrantandmyself，whichwastheoutgrowthofpersonalrelationsdatingbackto1839。SoIresolvedtokeepoutofthisconflict。InSeptember，1866，IwasinthemountainsofNewMexico，whenamessagereachedmethatIwaswantedatWashington。Ihadwithmeacoupleofofficersandhalfadozensoldiersasescort，andtraveleddowntheArkansas，throughtheKiowas，Comanches，Cheyennes，andArapahoes，allmoreorlessdisaffected，butreachedSt。Louisinsafety，andproceededtoWashington，whereIreportedtoGeneralGrant。
HeexplainedtomethatPresidentJohnsonwantedtoseeme。Hedidnotknowthewhyorwherefore，butsupposedithadsomeconnectionwithanorderhe（GeneralGrant）hadreceivedtoescortthenewlyappointedMinister，Hon。LewCampbell，ofOhio，tothecourtofJuarez，thePresident—electofMexico，whichcountrywasstillinpossessionoftheEmperorMaximilian，supportedbyacorpsofFrenchtroopscommandedbyGeneralBazaine。GeneralGrantdeniedtherightofthePresidenttoorderhimonadiplomaticmissionunattendedbytroops;saidthathehadthoughtthematterover，worlddisobeytheorder，andstandtheconsequences。Hemanifestedmuchfeeling;andsaiditwasaplottogetridofhim。IthenwenttoPresidentJohnson，whotreatedmewithgreatcordiality，andsaidthathewasverygladIhadcome;thatGeneralGrantwasabouttogotoMexicoonbusinessofimportance，andhewantedmeatWashingtontocommandthearmyinGeneralGrant’sabsence。I
theninformedhimthatGeneralGrantwouldnotgo，andheseemedamazed;saidthatitwasgenerallyunderstoodthatGeneralGrantconstruedtheoccupationoftheterritoriesofourneighbor，Mexico，byFrenchtroops，andtheestablishmentofanempiretherein，withanAustrianprinceatitshead，ashostiletorepublicanAmerica，andthattheAdministrationhadarrangedwiththeFrenchGovernmentforthewithdrawalofBazaine’stroops，whichwouldleavethecountryfreeforthePresident—electJuareztoreoccupythecityofMexico，etc。，etc。;thatMr。CampbellhadbeenaccreditedtoJuarez，andthefactthathewasaccompaniedbysodistinguishedasoldierasGeneralGrantwouldemphasizetheactoftheUnitedStates。IsimplyreiteratedthatGeneralGrantwouldnotgo，andthathe，Mr。Johnson，couldnotaffordtoquarrelwithhimatthattime。IfurtherarguedthatGeneralGrantwasatthemomentengagedonthemostdelicateanddifficulttaskofreorganizingthearmyundertheactofJuly28，1866;thatiftherealobjectwastoputMr。CampbellinofficialcommunicationwithPresidentJuarez，supposedtobeatElPasoorMonterey，eitherGeneralHancock，whosecommandembracedNewMexico，orGeneralSheridan，whosecommandincludedTexas，couldfulfiltheobjectperfectly;or，intheeventofneitherofthesealternatesprovingsatisfactorytotheSecretaryofState，thatIcouldbeeasiersparedthanGeneralGrant。\"Certainly，\"answeredthePresident，\"ifyouwillgo，thatwillanswerperfectly。\"
TheinstructionsoftheSecretaryofState，W。H。Seward，toHon。
LewisD。Campbell，MinistertoMexico，datedOctober25，1866;aletterfromPresidentJohnsontoSecretaryofWarStanton，datedOctober26，1866;andtheletterofEdwinM。Stanton，SecretaryofWar，toGeneralGrant，datedOctober27th，hadbeenalreadypreparedandprinted，andtheoriginalsorcopieswerefurnishedme;butonthe30thofOctober，1866，thefollowingletterpassedEXECUTIVEMANSION
WASHINGTON，D。C。，October30，1866。
SIR:GeneralUlyssesS。Granthavingfounditinconvenienttoassumethedutiesspecifiedinmylettertoyouofthe26thinst。，youwillpleaserelievehim，andassigntheminallrespectstoWilliamT。Sherman，Lieutenant—GeneraloftheArmyoftheUnitedStates。BywayofguidingGeneralShermanintheperformanceofhisduties，youwillfurnishhimwithacopyofyourspecialorderstoGeneralGrantmadeincompliancewithmyletterofthe26thinst。，togetherwithacopyoftheinstructionsoftheSecretaryofStatetoLewisD。Campbell，Esq。，thereinmentioned。
Thelieutenant—generalwillproceedtotheexecutionofhisdutieswithoutdelay。
Veryrespectfullyyours，ANDREWJOHNSON
TotheHon。EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
AttheNavyDepartmentIlearnedthattheUnitedStatesshipSusquehanna，CaptainAlden，wasfittingoutinNewYorkfortheuseofthismission，andthattherewouldbetimeformetoreturntoSt。Louistomakearrangementsforaprolongedabsence，asalsotocommunicatewithMr。Campbell，whowasstillathishomeinHamilton，Ohio。BycorrespondenceweagreedtomeetinNewYork，November8th，heaccompaniedbyMr。Plumb，secretaryoflegation，andIbymyaide，ColonelAudenried。
WeembarkedNovember10th，andwenttoseanextday，makingforHavanaandVeraCruz，and，assoonaswewereoutsideofSandyHook，IexplainedtoCaptainAldenthatmymissionwasended，becauseIbelievedbysubstitutingmyselfforGeneralGrantIhadpreventedaseriousquarrelbetweenhimandtheAdministration，whichwasunnecessary。WereachedHavanaonthe18th，withnothingtovarythemonotonyofanordinarysea—voyage，exceptoffHatteraswepickeduponewomanandtwentymenfromopenboats，whohadjustabandonedapropellerboundfromBaltimoretoCharlestonwhichfoundered。Theseawasveryrough，butbythepersonalskillandsupervisionofCaptainAldeneverysoulreachedourdecksafely，andwascarriedtoourconsulatHavana。AtHavanawewereveryhandsomelyentertained，especiallybySenorAldama，whotookusbyrailtohissugar—estatesatSantaRoss，andbackbyMatanzas。
Wetookourdeparturethenceonthe25th，andanchoredunderIslaVerde，offVeraCruz，onthe29th。
EverythingaboutVeraCruzindicatedthepurposeoftheFrenchtowithdraw，andalsothattheEmperorMaximilianwouldprecedethem，fortheAustrianfrigateDandolowasinport，andanAustrianbark，onwhichwerereceived，accordingtothereportofourconsul，Mr。
Lane，asmanyaselevenhundredpackagesofprivatefurnituretobetransferredtoMiramar，Maximilian’shome;andLieutenantClarin，oftheFrenchnavy，whovisitedtheSusquehannafromtheFrenchcommodore，Clouet，toldme，withoutreserve，that，ifwehaddelayedeightdaysmore，wewouldhavefoundMaximiliangone。
GeneralBazainewasreportedtobeinthecityofMexicowithabouttwenty—eightthousandFrenchtroops;butinsteadofleavingMexicointhreedetachments，viz。，November，1866，March，1867，andNovember，1867，asdescribedinMr。Seward’alettertoMr。
Campbell，ofOctober25，1866，itlookedtomethat，asasoldier，hewouldevacuateatsometimebeforeNovember，1867，allatonce，andnotbydetachments。LieutenantClarintelegraphedBazaineatthecityofMexicothefactofourarrival，andhesentmeamostcourteousandpressinginvitationtocomeuptothecity;but，aswewereaccreditedtothegovernmentofJuarez，itwasconsideredundiplomatictoestablishfriendlyrelationswiththeexistingauthorities。MeantimewecouldnothearawordofJuarez，andconcludedtosearchforhimalongthecoastnorthward。（WhenIwasinVersailles，France，July，1872，learningthatGeneralBazainewasinarrestforthesurrenderofhisarmyandpostatMetz，in1870，IwantedtocallonhimtothankhimforhiscourteousinvitationtomeatVeraCruzin1866。IinquiredofPresidentThieraifIcouldwithproprietycallonthemarshal。Heansweredthatitwouldbeveryacceptable，nodoubt，butsuggestedforform’ssakethatIshouldconsulttheMinisterofWar，GeneraldeCissey，whichIdid，andhepromptlyassented。Accordingly，I
calledwithmyaide，ColonelAudenried，onMarshalBazaine，whooccupiedasmall，two—storystonehouseatVersailles，inaninclosurewithahighgardenwall，atthefrontgateordoorofwhichwasalodge，inwhichwasamilitaryguard。Wewereshowntoagoodroomonthesecondfloor，wherewasseatedthemarshalinmilitaryhalf—dress，withlargehead，fullface，shortneck，andevidentlyamanofstrongphysique。HedidnotspeakEnglish，butspokeSpanishperfectly。WemanagedtocarryonaconversationinwhichIendeavoredtoconveymysenseofhispolitenessininvitingmesocordiallyuptothecityofMexico，andmyregretthatthepeculiardutyonwhichIwasengageddidnotadmitofacompliance，orevenofanintelligentexplanation，atthetime。HespokeofthewholeMexicanbusinessasa\"sadaffair，\"thattheempirenecessarilyfellwiththeresultofourcivilwar，andthatpoorMaximilianwassacrificedtohisownhighsenseofhonor。
WhileonboardtheSusquehanna，onthe1stdayofDecember，1866，wereceivedtheproclamationmadebytheEmperorMaximilianatOrizaba，inwhich，notwithstandingthenearwithdrawaloftheFrenchtroops，hedeclaredhispurposetoremainand\"shedthelastdropofhisbloodindefenseofhisdearcountry。\"UndoubtedlymanyofthemostsubstantialpeopleofMexico，havinglostallfaithinthestabilityofthenativegovernment，hadcommittedthemselvestowhattheyconsideredthemorestablegovernmentofMaximilian，andMaximilian，amanofhonor，concludedatthelastmomenthecouldnotabandonthem;theconsequencewashisdeath。
FailingtohearofJuarez，westeamedupthecoasttotheIslandofLobos，andontoTampico，offwhichwefoundtheUnitedStatessteamerPaulJones，which，drawinglesswaterthantheSusquehanna，carriedusoverthebartothecity，theninpossessionoftheLiberalparty，whichrecognizedJuarezastheirconstitutionalPresident，butofJuarezandhiswhereaboutwecouldhearnotaword;sowecontinuedupthecoastandanchoredoffBrazosSantiago，December7th。Goingashoreinsmallboats，wefoundarailroad，underthemanagementofGeneralJ。R。West，nowoneofthecommissionersofthecityofWashington，whosentusuptoBrownsville，Texas。WemetonthewayGeneralSheridan，returningfromatourofinspectionoftheRioGrandefrontier。OnSunday，December9th，wewereallatMatamoras，Mexico，wherewemetGeneralEscobedo，oneofJuarez’strustylieutenants，whodevelopedtousthegeneralplanagreedonfortheoverthrowoftheempire，andthereestablishmentoftherepublicangovernmentofMexico。Heaskedofusnoassistance，excepttheloanofsomearms，ammunition，clothing，andcamp—equipage。ItwasagreedthatMr。
Campbellshould，assoonashecouldgethisbaggageofftheSusquehanna，returntoMatamoras，andthenceproceedtoMonterey，tobereceivedbyJuarezinpersonas，theaccreditedMinisteroftheUnitedStatestotheRepublicofMexico。Meantimetheweatheroffthecoastwasstormy，andtheSusquehannapartedacable，sothatweweredelayedsomedaysatBrazos;butinduetimeMr。
Campbellgothisbaggage，andweregainedthedeckoftheSusquehanna，whichgotupsteamandstartedforNewOrleans。WereachedNewOrleansDecember20th，whenceIreportedfullyeverythingtoGeneralGrant，andonthe21streceivedthefollowingdispatch:
WASHINGTON，December21，1866。
Lieutenant—GeneralSHERMAN，NewOrleans。
YourtelegramofyesterdayhasbeensubmittedtothePresident。
YouareauthorizedtoproceedtoSt。Louisatyourconvenience。
YourproceedingsinthespecialanddelicatedutiesassignedyouarecordiallyapprovedbythePresidentandCabinetandthisdepartment。
EDWINM。STANTON。
AndonthesamedayIreceivedthisdispatchGALVESTON，December21，1866。
ToGeneralSHERMAN，orGeneralSHERIDAN。
WillbeinNewOrleansto—morrow。Wishtoseeyoubothonarrival，onmattersofimportance。
LEWISD。CAMPBELL，MinistertoMexico。
Mr。Campbellaarivedonthe22d，buthadnothingtotelloftheleastimportance，savethathewasgenerallydisgustedwiththewholething，andhadnotfoundJuarezatall。IamsurethiswholemovementwasgotupforthepurposeofgettingGeneralGrantawayfromWashington，onthepretextofhisknownantagonismtotheFrenchoccupationofMexico，becausehewasloomingupasacandidateforPresident，andnobodyunderstoodtheanimusandpurposebetterthandidMr。Stanton。HehimselfwasnotthenongoodtermswithPresidentJohnson，andwithseveralofhisassociatesintheCabinet。ByChristmasIwasbackinSt。Louis。
BythistimetheconflictbetweenPresidentJohnsonandCongresshadbecomeopenandunconcealed。Congresspassedthebillknownasthe\"TenureofCivilOffice\"onthe2dofMarch，1867（overthePresident’sveto），thefirstclauseofwhich，nowsection1767oftheRevisedStatutes，readsthus:\"Everypersonwhoholdsanycivilofficetowhichhehasbeenorhereaftermaybeappointed，byandwiththeadviceandconsentoftheSenate，andwhoshallhavebecomedulyqualifiedtoacttherein，shallbeentitledtoholdsuchofficeduringthetermforwhichhewasappointed，unlesssoonerremovedbyandwiththeadviceandconsentoftheSenate，orbytheappointmentwiththelikeadviceandconsentofasuccessorinhisplace，exceptashereinotherwiseprovided。\"
GeneralE。D。Townsend，inhis\"AnecdotesoftheCivilWar，\"statesterselyandcorrectlythepreliminarycircumstancesofwhichImusttreat。Hesays:\"OnMondaymorning，August5，1867，PresidentJohnsoninvitedMr。StantontoresignasSecretaryofWar。Underthetenure—ofcivil—officelaw，Mr。Stantondeclined。ThePresidentaweekaftersuspendedhim，andappointedGeneralGrant，General—
in—ChiefoftheArmy，toexercisethefunctions。ThiscontinueduntilJanuary13，1868，whenaccordingtothelawtheSenatepassedaresolutionnotsustainingthePresident’saction。ThenextmorningGeneralGrantcametomyofficeandhandedmethekeyoftheSecretary’sroom，saying:`Iamtobefoundoveratmyofficeatarmyheadquarters。IwasservedwithacopyoftheSenateresolutionlastevening。Ithenwentup—stairsanddeliveredthekeyofhisroomtoMr。Stanton。\"
ThemodeandmannerofMr。Stanton’sregainghisoffice，andofGeneralGrant’ssurrenderingit，wereatthetimesubjectsofbittercontroversy。UnhappilyIwasinvolved，andmustbeartestimony。InallJanuary，1868，Iwasamemberofaboardorderedtocompileacodeofarticlesofwarandarmyregulations，ofwhichMajor—GeneralSheridanandBrigadier—GeneralC。C。Augurwereassociatemembers。OurplaceofmeetingwasintheroomoftheoldWarDepartment，secondfloor，nexttothecornerroomoccupiedbytheSecretaryofWar，withadoorofcommunication。WhilewewereatworkitwascommonforGeneralGrantand，afterward，forMr。
Stantontodropinandchatwithusonthesocialgossipofthetime。
OnSaturday，January11th，GeneralGrantsaidthathehadmorecarefullyreadthelaw（tenureofciviloffice），anditwasdifferentfromwhathehadsupposed;thatincasetheSenatedidnotconsenttotheremovalofSecretaryofWarStanton，andhe（Grant）shouldholdon，heshouldincuraliabilityoftenthousanddollarsandfiveyears’imprisonment。WeallexpectedtheresolutionofSenatorHoward，ofMichigan，virtuallyrestoringMr。
Stantontohisoffice，wouldpasstheSenate，andknowingthatthePresidentexpectedGeneralGranttoholdon，Iinquiredifhehadgivennoticeofhischangeofpurpose;heansweredthattherewasnohurry，becausehesupposedMr。Stantonwouldpursuetowardhim（Grant）thesamecoursewhichhe（Stanton）hadrequiredofhimtheprecedingAugust，viz。，wouldaddresshimaletterclaimingtheoffice，andallowhimacoupleofdaysforthechange。Still，hesaidhewouldgototheWhiteHousethesamedayandnotifythePresidentofhisintendedaction。
ThatafternoonIwentovertotheWhiteHousetopresentGeneralPope，whowasona，visittoWashington，andwefoundthePresidentandGeneralGranttogether。Wemadeourvisitandwithdrew，leavingthemstilltogether，andIalwayssupposedthesubjectofthisconferencewastheexpecteddecisionoftheSenate，whichwouldineffectrestoreMr。StantontohiscivilofficeofSecretaryofWar。ThateveningIdinedwiththeHon。ReverdyJohnson，SenatorfromMaryland，andsuggestedtohimthatthebestwaytoescapeaconflictwasforthePresidenttonominatesomegoodmanasSecretaryofWarwhoseconfirmationbytheSenatewouldfallwithintheprovisionsofthelaw，andnamedGeneralJ。D。Cox，thenGovernorofOhio，whosetermofofficewasdrawingtoaclose，whowould，Iknew，beacceptabletoGeneralGrantandthearmygenerally。Mr。Johnsonwasmostfavorablyimpressedwiththissuggestion，andpromisedtocallonthePresidentthenextday（Sunday），whichhedid，butPresidentJohnsonhadmadeuphismindtomeettheconflictboldly。IsawGeneralGrantthatafternoonathishouseonIStreet，andtoldhimwhatIhaddone，andsoanxiouswasheaboutitthathecametoourroomattheWarDepartmentthenextmorning（Monday），the13th，andaskedmetogoinpersontotheWhiteHousetourgethePresidenttosendinthenameofGeneralCox。Ididso，sawthePresident，andinquiredifhehadseenMr。ReverdyJohnsonthedaybeforeaboutGeneralCox。Heansweredthathehad，andthoughtwellofGeneralCox，butwouldsaynofurther。
Tuesday，January14，1868，came，andwithitMr。Stanton。Heresumedpossessionofhisformeroffice;cameintothatwhereGeneralSheridan，GeneralAugur，andIwereatwork，andgreetedusverycordially。Hesaidhewantedtoseemewhenatleisure，andathalf—past10A。M。IwentintohisofficeandfoundhimandGeneralGranttogether。Supposingtheyhadsomespecialmattersofbusiness，Iwithdrew，withtheremarkthatIwascloseathand，andcouldcomeinatanymoment。IntheafternoonIwentagainintoMr。Stanton’soffice，andwehadalongandmostfriendlyconversation;butnotonewordwasspokenaboutthe\"tenure—of—office\"matter。IthencrossedoverSeventeenthStreettotheheadquartersofthearmy，whereIfoundGeneralGrant，whoexpressedhimselfasbynomeanspleasedwiththemannerinwhichMr。Stantonhadregainedhisoffice，sayingthathehadsentamessengerforhimthatmorningasofold，withwordthat\"hewantedtoseehim。\"Wethenarrangedtomeetathisofficethenextmorningathalfpastnine，andgotogethertoseethePresident。
ThatmorningtheNationalIntelligencerpublishedanarticleaccusingGeneralGrantofactinginbadfaithtothePresident，andofhavingprevaricatedinmakinghispersonalexplanationtotheCabinet，sothatGeneralGrantatfirstfeltunwillingtogo，butwewent。ThePresidentreceiveduspromptlyandkindly。Beingseated，GeneralGrantsaid，\"Mr。President，whoevergavethefactsforthearticleoftheIntelligencerofthismorninghasmadesomeseriousmistakes。\"ThePresident:\"GeneralGrant，letmeinterruptyoujustthere。IhavenotseentheIntelligencerofthismorning，andhavenoknowledgeofthecontentsofanyarticletherein\"
GeneralGrantthenwenton:\"Well，theideaisgiventherethatI
havenotkeptfaithwithyou。Now，Mr。President，Iremember，whenyouspoketomeonthissubjectlastsummer，Ididsaythat，likethecaseoftheBaltimorepolicecommissioners，IdidsupposeMr。
Stantoncouldnotregainhisofficeexceptbyaprocessthroughthecourts。\"TothisthePresidentassented，sayinghe\"rememberedthereferencetothecaseoftheBaltimorecommissioners，\"whenGeneralGrantresumed:\"IsaidifIchangedmyopinionIwouldgiveyounotice，andputthingsastheywerebeforemyappointmentasSecretaryofWaradinterim。\"
Wethenenteredintoageneralfriendlyconversation，bothpartiesprofessingtobesatisfied，thePresidentclaimingthathehadalwaysbeenmostfriendlytoGeneralGrant，andthelatterinsistingthathehadtakentheoffice，notforhonororprofit，butinthegeneralinterestsofthearmy。
Aswewithdrew，attheverydoor，GeneralGrantsaid，\"Mr。
President，youshouldmakesomeorderthatweofthearmyarenotboundtoobeytheordersofMr。StantonasSecretaryofWar，\"whichthePresidentintimatedbewoulddo。
Nosuch\"orders\"wereevermade;manyconferenceswereheld，andthefollowinglettersareselectedoutofagreatmasstoshowthegeneralfeelingatthetime:
1321KSTREET，WASHINGTON，January28，1868，Saturday。
TothePresident:
IneglectedthismorningtosaythatIhadagreedtogodowntoAnnapolistospendSundaywithAdmiralPorter。GeneralGrantalsohastoleaveforRichmondonMondaymorningat6A。M。
AtaconversationwiththeGeneralafterourinterview，whereinI
offeredtogowithhimonMondaymorningtoMr。Stanton，andtosaythatitwasourjointopinionbeshouldresign，itwasfoundimpossiblebyreasonofhis（GeneralGrant）goingtoRichmondandmygoingtoAnnapolis。TheGeneralproposedthiscourse:Hewillcallonyouto—morrow，andoffertogotoMr。Stantontosay，forthegoodoftheArmyandofthecountry，heoughttoresign。ThisonSunday。OnMondayIwillagaincallonyou，and，ifyouthinkitnecessary，Iwilldothesame，viz。，gotoMr。Stantonandtellhimheshouldresign。
Ifhewillnot，thenitwillbetimetocontriveulteriormeasures。
Inthemeantimeitsohappensthatnonecessityexistsforprecipitatingmatters。
Yourstruly，W。T。SHERMAN，Lieutenant—General。
DEARGENERAL:Onthepointofstarting，Ihavewrittentheabove，andwillsendafaircopyofittothePresident。Pleaseretainthis，thatincaseofnecessityImayhaveacopy。ThePresidentclearlystatedtomethathereliedonusinthiscategory。
Thinkoftheproprietyofyourputtinginwritingwhatyouhavetosaytomorrow，evenifyouhavetoputitintheformofalettertohandhiminperson，retainingacopy。I’mafraidthatactingasago—betweenforthreepersons，Imaysharetheusualfateofmeddlers，atlastgetkinksfromall。Weoughtnottobeinvolvedinpolitics，butforthesakeoftheArmywearejustifiedintryingatleasttocutthisGordianknot，whichtheydonotappeartohaveanypracticableplantodo。Inhasteasusual，W。T。SHERMAN。
HEADQUARTERSARMIESOFTHEUNITEDSTATES，January29，1888。
DEARSHERMAN:IcalledonthePresidentandMr。Stantonto—day，butwithoutanyeffect。
IsoonfoundthattorecommendresignationtoMr。Stantonwouldhavenoeffect，unlessitwastoincurfurtherhisdispleasure;
and，therefore，didnotdirectlysuggestittohim。Iexplainedtohim，however，thecourseIsupposedhewouldpursue，andwhatI
expectedtodointhatcase，namely，tonotifythePresidentofhisintentions，andthusleavehimtoviolatethe\"Tenure—of—OfficeBill\"ifhechose，insteadofhavingmedoit。
IwouldadvisethatyousaynothingtoMr。Stantononthesubjectunlessheasksyouradvice。Itwilldonogood，andmayembarrassyou。Ididnotmentionyournametohim，atleastnotinconnectionwithhisposition，orwhatyouthoughtuponit。
AllthatMr。Johnsonsaidwaspacificandcompromising。WhileI
thinkhewantedtheconstitutionalityofthe\"TenureBill\"tested，IthinknowhewouldbegladeithertogetthevacancyofSecretaryofWar，orhavetheofficejUstwhereitwasdUringsuspension。
Yourstruly，U。S。GRANT。
WASHINGTOND。C。，January27，1868。
TothePresident。
DEARSIR:AsIpromised，IsawMr。Ewingyesterday，andafteralongconversationaskedhimtoputdownhisopinioninwriting，whichhehasdoneandwhichInowinclose。
IamnowatworkontheseArmyRegulations，andinthecourseofpreparationhavelaiddowntheConstitutionandlawsnowinforce，clearerthanIfindthemelsewhere;andbegleaveherewithtoincloseyouthreepagesofprintedmatterforyourperusal。Myopinionis，ifyouwilladopttheserulesandmakethemanexecutiveordertoGeneralGrant，theywillsoclearlydefinethedutiesofallconcernedthatnoconflictcanarise。Ihopetogetthroughthistaskinthecourseofthisweek，andwantverymuchtogotoSt。Louis。ForelevenyearsIhavebeentossedaboutsomuchthatIreallydowanttorest，study，andmaketheacquaintanceofmyfamily。Idonotthink，since1857，Ihaveaveragedthirtydaysoutofthreehundredandsixty—fiveathome。
Neatsummeralso，infulfillmentofourpromisetotheSioux，I
mustgotoFortPhilKearneyearlyinthespring，sothat，unlessI
canspendthenexttwomonthsathome，ImightaswellbreakupmyhouseatSt。Louis，andgiveupallprospectoftakingcareofmyfamily。
ForthesereasonsespeciallyIshallsoonaskleavetogotoSt。
Louis，toresumemyproperandlegitimatecommand。Withgreatrespect，W。T。SHERMAN，Lieutenant—General。
[Inclosure]
WASHINGTON，D。C。，January25，1868。
MYDEARGENERAL:IamquiteclearintheopinionthatitisnotexpedientforthePresidenttotakeanyactionnowinthecaseofStanton。Sofarasheandhisinterestsareconcerned，thingsareinthebestpossiblecondition。StantonisintheDepartment，gothissecretary，butthesecretaryoftheSenate，whohavetakenuponthemselveshissins，andwhoplacehimthereunderalargesalarytoannoyandobstructtheoperationsoftheExecutive。Thisthepeoplewellenoughunderstand，andheisastenchinthenostrilsoftheirownparty。
IthoughtthenominationofCoxattheproperjuncturewouldhavebeenwiseasapeace—offering，butperhapsitwouldhaveletofftheSenatetooeasilyfromtheeffectoftheirarbitraryact。NowthedislodgingofStantonandfillingtheofficeeventemporarilywithouttheconsentoftheSenatewouldraiseaquestionastothelegalityofthePresident’sacts，andhewouldbelongtotheattackedinsteadoftheattackingparty。IfthewarbetweenCongressandthePresidentistogoon，asIsupposeitis，StantonshouldbeignoredbythePresident，lefttoperformhisclericaldutieswhichthelawrequireshimtoperform，andletthepartybeartheodiumwhichisalreadyuponthemforplacinghimwhereheis。SomuchforthePresident。
Astoyourself，Iwishyouasfaraspossibletokeepclearofpoliticalcomplications。IdonotthinkthePresidentwillrequireyoutodoanactofdoubtfullegality。CertainlyhewillnotwithoutsanctionoftheopinionofhisAttorney—General;andyoushouldhavetime，inaquestionablecase，toconsultwithmebeforecalledupontoact。TheofficeofSecretaryofWarisaciviloffice，ascompletelysoasthatofSecretaryofState;andyouasamilitaryofficercannot，Ithink，berequiredtoassumeorexerciseit。Thismay，ifnecessary，beasubjectforfurtherconsideration。Such，however，willnot，Ithink，bethecase。
Theappealistothepeople，anditisbetterforthePresidenttopersistinthecoursehehasforsometimepursued——lettheaggressionsallcomefromtheotherside;andIthinkthereisnodoubthewilldoso。Affectionately，T。EWING。
To——Lieutenant—GeneralSHERMAN。
LIBRARYROOM，WARDEPAETMERT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，January31，1868。
TothePresident:
SinceourinterviewofyesterdayIhavegiventhesubjectofourconversationallmythoughts，andIbegyouwillpardonmyreducingthesametowriting。
Mypersonalpreferences，asexpressed，weretobeallowedtoreturntoSt。Louistoresumemypresentcommand，becausemycommandwasimportant，large，suitedtomyrankandinclination，andbecausemyfamilywaswellprovidedforthereinhouse，facilities，schools，living，andagreeablesociety;while，ontheotherband，Washingtonwasformany（tome）goodreasonshighlyobjectionable，especiallybecauseitisthepoliticalcapitalofthecountry;andfocusofintrigue，gossip，andslander。Yourpersonalpreferenceswere，asexpressed，tomakeanewdepartmentEastadequatetomyrank，withheadquartersatWashington，andassignmetoitscommand，toremovemyfamilyhere，andtoavailmyselfofitsschools，etc。;toremoveMr。StantonfromhisofficeasSecretaryofWar，andhavemetodischargetheduties。
Toeffectthisremovaltwomodeswereindicated:tosimplycausehimtoquittheWar—OfficeBuilding，andnotifytheTreasuryDepartmentandtheArmyStaffDepartmentsnolongertorespecthimasSecretaryofWar;ortoremovehimandsubmitmynametotheSenateforconfirmation。
Permitmetodiscussthesepointsalittle，andIwillpremisebysayingthatIhavespokentonooneonthesubject，andhavenotevenseenMr。Ewing，Mr。Stanbery，orGeneralGrant，sinceIwaswithyou。
Ithasbeentheruleandcustomofourarmy，sincetheorganizationofthegovernment，thatthesecondofficerofthearmyshouldbeatthesecond（inimportance）command，andremotefromgeneralheadquarters。TobringmetoWashingtonworldputthreeheadstoanarmy，yourself，GeneralGrant，andmyself，andwewouldbemorethanhumanifwewerenottodiffer。Inmyjudgmentitworldruinthearmy，andwouldbefataltooneortwoofus。