AtthattimehewasmuchworriedbywhathesupposedwasinjusticeinthepromotionofGeneralSheridan，andstillmorethatGeneralMeadeshouldhaveanEasternstation，whichcompelledhimtoremainatNashvilleorgotothePacific。GeneralThomasclaimedthatallhislifehehadbeenstationedintheSouthorremoteWest，andhadnothadafairshareofEasternposts，whereasthatGeneralMeadehadalwaysbeenthere。ItriedtogethimtogowithmetoseePresidentGrantandtalkthematteroverfrankly，buthewouldnot，andIhadtoactasafriendlymediator。GeneralGrantassuredmeatthetimethathenotonlyadmiredandrespectedGeneralThomas，butactuallylovedhimasaman，andheauthorizedmeinmakingupcommandsforthegeneralofficerstodoanythingandeverythingtofavorhim，onlyhecouldnotrecedefromhisformeractioninrespecttoGeneralsSheridanandMeade。
PriortoGeneralGrant’sinaugurationthearmyregistershowedasmajor—generalsHalleck，Meade，Sheridan，Thomas，andHancock。
Therefore，thepromotionofGeneralSheridantobelieutenant—
generaldidnot\"overslaugh\"Thomas，butitdidMeadeandHalleck。
Thelatterdidnotexpectpromotion;GeneralMeadedid，butwaspartially，notwholly，reconciledbybeingstationedatPhiladelphia，thehomeofhisfamily;andPresidentGrantassuredmethatheknewofhisownknowledgethatGeneralSheridanhadbeennominatedmajor—generalbeforeGeneralMeade，buthadwaiveddatesoutofrespectforhisageandlongerservice，andthathehadnominatedhimaslieutenant—generalbyreasonofhisspecialfitnesstocommandtheMilitaryDivisionoftheMissouri，embracingallthewildIndians，atthatverymomentinastateofhostility。
IgaveGeneralThomasthechoiceofeveryothercommandinthearmy，andofhisownchoicehewenttoSanFrancisco，California，wherehedied，March28，1870。Thetruthis，Congressshouldhaveprovidedbylawforthreelieutenant—generalsforthesethreepre—eminentsoldiers，andshouldhavedatedtheircommissionswith\"Gettysburg，\"\"Winchester，\"and\"Nashville。\"Itwouldhavebeenagracefulact，andmighthaveprolongedthelivesoftwomostpopularofficers，whodiedsoonafter，feelingthattheyhadexperiencedingratitudeandneglect。
SoonafterGeneralGrant’sinaugurationasPresident，and，asI
supposed，infulfilmentofhisplandivulgedinChicagothepreviousDecember，weremadethefollowing:
HEADQUARTERSOFTHEARMY，WASHINGTON，March8，1869。
GeneralOrdersNo。11:
ThefollowingordersofthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesarepublishedfortheinformationandgovernmentofallconcernedWARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，March5，1869。
BydirectionofthePresident，GeneralWilliamT。ShermanwillassumecommandoftheArmyoftheUnitedStates。
Thechiefsofstaffcorps，departments，andbureauswillreporttoandactundertheimmediateordersofthegeneralcommandingthearmy。
AnyofficialbusinesswhichbylaworregulationrequirestheactionofthePresidentorSecretaryofWarwillbesubmittedbytheGeneraloftheArmytotheSecretaryofWar，andingeneralallordersfromthePresidentorSecretaryofWartoanyportionofthearmy，lineorstaff，willbetransmittedthroughtheGeneraloftheArmy。
J。M。SCHOFIELD，SecretaryofWar。
BycommandoftheGeneraloftheArmy。
E。D。TOWNSEND，AssistantAdjutant—General。
OnthesamedayIissuedmyGeneralOrdersNo。12，assumingcommandandnamingalltheheadsofstaffdepartmentsandbureausasmembersofmystaff，addingtomythenthreeaides，ColonelsMcCoy，Dayton，andAudenried，thenamesofColonelsComstock，HoracePorter，andDent，agreeingwithPresidentGrantthatthetwolattercouldremainwithhimtillIshouldneedtheirpersonalservicesorasktheirresignations。
Iwassoonmadeawarethattheheadsofseveralofthestaffcorpswererestiveunderthisneworderofthings，forbylongusagetheyhadgrowntobelievethemselvesnotofficersofthearmyinatechnicalsense，butapartoftheWarDepartment，thecivilbranchoftheGovernmentwhichconnectsthearmywiththePresidentandCongress。
InashorttimeGeneralJohnA。Rawlins，GeneralGrant’sformerchiefofstaff，wasnominatedandconfirmedasSecretaryofWar;
andsoonappearedthisorder:
HEADQUARTERSOFTHEARMY，ADJUTANT—GENERAL’SOFFICE，WASHINGTON，March27，1869。
GeneralOrdersNo。28:
ThefollowingordersreceivedfortheWarDepartmentarepublishedforthegovernmentofallconcerned:
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，March26，1869。
BydirectionofthePresident，theorderoftheSecretaryofWar，datedWarDepartment，March5，1869，andpublishedinGeneralOrdersNo。11，headquartersofthearmy，Adjutant—General’sOffice，datedMarch8，1869，exceptsomuchasdirectsGeneralW。T。
ShermantoassumecommandoftheArmyoftheUnitedStates，isherebyrescinded。
AllofficialbusinesswhichbylaworregulationsrequirestheactionofthePresidentorSecretaryofWarwillbesubmittedbythechiefsofstaffcorps，departments，andbureaustotheSecretaryofWar。
AllordersandinstructionsrelatingtomilitaryoperationsissuedbythePresidentorSecretaryofWarwillbeissuedthroughtheGeneraloftheArmy。
JOHNA。RAWLINS，SecretaryofWar。
BycommandofGeneralSHERMAN:
E。D。TOWNSEND，AssistantAdjutant—General。
Thuswewerethrownbackontheoldmethodinhavingadouble——ifnotatreble—headedmachine。EachheadofabureauindailyconsultationwiththeSecretaryofWar，andthegeneraltocommandwithoutanadjutant，quartermaster，commissary，oranystaffexcepthisownaides，oftenreadinginthenewspapersofmilitaryeventsandordersbeforehecouldbeconsultedorinformed。ThiswastheveryreverseofwhatGeneralGrant，afterfouryears’experienceinWashingtonasgeneral—in—chief，seemedtowant，differentfromwhathehadexplainedtomeinChicago，andtotallydifferentfromthedemandhehadmadeonSecretaryofWarStantoninhiscompleteletterofJanuary29，1866。Iwenttohimtoknowthecause:HesaidhehadbeeninformedbymembersofCongressthathisaction，asdefinedbyhisorderofMarch5th，wasregardedasaviolationoflawsmakingprovisionforthebureausoftheWarDepartment;
thathehadrepealedhisownorders，butnotmine，andthathehadnodoubtthatGeneralRawlinsandIcoulddrawthelineofseparationsatisfactorilytousboth。GeneralRawlinswasveryconscientious，butaverysickmanwhenappointedSecretaryofWar。
Severaltimeshemadeordersthroughtheadjutant—generaltoindividualsofthearmywithoutnotifyingme，butalwayswhenhisattentionwascalledtoitheapologized，andrepeatedlysaidtomethatheunderstoodfromhisexperienceonGeneralGrant’sstaffhowalmostinsultingitwasfororderstogotoindividualsofaregiment，brigade，division，oranarmyofanykindwithoutthecommandingofficerbeingconsultedorevenadvised。ThishabitismorecommonatWashingtonthananyplaceonearth，unlessitbeinLondon，wherenearlythesameconditionoffactsexists。MembersofCongressdailyappealtotheSecretaryofWarforthedischargeofsomesoldierontheapplicationofamother，orsomeyoungofficerhastobedry—nursed，withdrawnfromhiscompanyontheplainstobestationednearhome。TheSecretaryofWar，sometimesmovedbyprivatereasons，ormorelikelytoobligethememberofCongress，grantstheorder，ofwhichthecommandinggeneralknowsnothingtillhereadsitinthenewspapers。Also，anIndiantribe，goadedbythepressureofwhiteneighbors，breaksoutinrevolt。
Thegeneral—in—chiefmustreenforcethelocalgarrisonsnotonlywithmen，buthorses，wagons，ammunition，andfood。AllthenecessaryinformationisinthestaffbureausinWashington，butthegeneralhasnorighttocallforit，andgenerallyfindsitmorepracticabletoaskbytelegraphofthedistantdivisionordepartmentcommandersfortheinformationbeforemakingtheformalorders。Thegeneralinactualcommandofthearmyshouldhaveafullstaff，subjecttohisowncommand。Ifnot，hecannotbeheldresponsibleforresults。
GeneralRawlinssankawayvisibly，rapidly，anddiedinWashington，September6，1869，andIwasappointedtoperformthedutiesofhisofficetillasuccessorcouldbeselected。Irealizedhowmucheasierandbetteritwastohavebothofficesconjoined。
Thearmythenhadoneconstitutionalcommander—in—chiefofbotharmyandnavy，andoneactualcommandinggeneral，bringingallpartsintorealharmony。Anarmytobeusefulmustbeaunit，andoutofthishasgrownthesaying，attributedtoNapoleon，butdoubtlessspokenbeforethedaysofAlexander，thatanarmywithaninefficientcommanderwasbetterthanonewithtwoableheads。Ourpoliticalsystemandmethods，however，demandedaseparateSecretaryofWar，andinOctoberPresidentGrantaskedmetoscanthelistofthevolunteergeneralsofgoodrecordwhohadservedinthecivilwar，preferablyfromthe\"West。\"Ididso，andsubmittedtohiminwritingthenamesofW。W。Belknap，ofIowa;G。M。
Dodge，theChiefEngineeroftheUnionPacificRailroad;andLuciusFairchild，ofMadison，Wisconsin。IalsonamedGeneralJohnW。
Sprague，thenemployedbytheNorthernPacificRailroadinWashingtonTerritory。GeneralGrantknewthemallpersonally，andsaidifGeneralDodgewerenotconnectedwiththeUnionPacificRailroad，withwhichtheSecretaryofWarmustnecessarilyhavelargetransactions，hewouldchoosehim，butasthecasestood，andrememberingtheveryexcellentspeechmadebyGeneralBelknapattheChicagoreunionofDecember，1868，heauthorizedmetocommunicatewithhimtoascertainifhewerewillingtocometoWashingtonasSecretaryofWar。GeneralBelknapwasthenthecollectorofinternalrevenueatKeokuk，Iowa。Itelegraphedhimandreceivedapromptandfavorableanswer。HisnamewassenttotheSenate，promptlyconfirmed，andheenteredonhisdutiesOctober25，1869。GeneralBelknapsurelyhadatthatdateasfairafameasanyofficerofvolunteersofmypersonalacquaintance。Hetookupthebusinesswhereitwasleftoff，andgraduallyfellintothecurrentwhichledtothecommandofthearmyitselfasofthelegalandfinancialmatterswhichproperlypertaintotheWarDepartment。Ordersgrantingleavesofabsencetoofficers，transfers，dischargesofsoldiersforfavor，andalltheoldabuses，whichhadembitteredthelifeofGeneralScottinthedaysofSecretariesofWarMarcyandDavis，wererenewed。Icalledhisattentiontothesefacts，butwithoutsensibleeffect。MyofficewasunderhisintheoldWarDepartment，andonedayIsentmyaide—de—camp，ColonelAudenried，uptohimwithsomemessage，andwhenhereturnedredasabeet，verymuchagitated，heaskedmeasapersonalfavorneveragaintosendhimtoGeneralBelknap。I
inquiredhisreason，andheexplainedthathehadbeentreatedwitharudenessanddiscourtesyhehadneverseendisplayedbyanyofficertoasoldier。ColonelAudenriedwasoneofthemostpolishedgentlemeninthearmy，notedforhispersonalbearinganddeportment，andIhadsometroubletoimpressonhimthepatiencenecessaryfortheoccasion，butIpromisedonfutureoccasionstosendsomeotherorgomyself。Thingswentonfrombadtoworse，tillin1870IreceivedfromMr。HughCampbell，ofSt。Louis，apersonalfriendandanhonorablegentleman，atelegraphicmessagecomplainingthatIhadremovedfromhispositionMr。Ward，posttraderatFortLaramie，withonlyamonthinwhichtodisposeofhislargestockofgoods，tomakeroomforhissuccessor。
ItsohappenedthatweoftheIndianPeaceCommissionhadbeenmuchindebtedtothissametrader，Ward，foradvancesofflour，sugar，andcoffee，toprovidefortheCrowIndians，whohadcomedownfromtheirreservationontheYellowstonetomeetusin1868，beforeourownsupplieshadbeenreceived。ForatimeIcouldnot—comprehendthenatureofMr。Campbell’scomplaint，soItelegraphedtothedepartmentcommander，GeneralC。C。Augur，atOmaha，toknowifanysuchoccurrencehadhappened，andthereasonstherefor。Ireceivedapromptanswerthatitwassubstantiallytrue，andhadbeenorderedbyTheSecretaryofWar。ItsohappenedthatduringGeneralGrant’scommandofthearmyCongresshadgiventothegeneralofthearmytheappointmentof\"post—traders。\"Hehadnaturallydevolveditonthesubordinatedivisionanddepartmentcommanders，butthelegalpowerremainedwiththegeneralofthearmy。IwentuptotheSecretaryofWar，showedhimthetelegraphiccorrespondence，andpointedouttheexistinglawintheRevisedStatutes。GeneralBelknapwasvisiblytakenaback，andexplainedthathehadsupposedtherightofappointmentrestedwithhim，thatWardwasanoldrebelDemocrat，etc。;whereasWardhadbeeninfactthesutlerofFortLaramie，aUnitedStatesmilitarypost，throughoutthecivilwar。ItoldhimthatIshouldrevokehisorders，andleavethematterwhereitbelonged，tothelocalcouncilofadministrationandcommandingofficers。Wardwasunanimouslyreelectedandreinstated。HeremainedthetraderofthepostuntilCongressrepealedthelaw，andgavebackthepowerofappointmenttotheSecretaryofWar，whenofcoursehehadtogo。Butmeantimehewasabletomakethenecessarybusinessarrangementswhichsavedhimandhispartnersthesacrificewhichwouldhavebeennecessaryinthefirstinstance。IneverhadanyknowledgewhateverofGeneralBelknap’stransactionswiththetradersatFortSillandFortLincolnwhichresultedinhisdownfall。Ihaveneversoughttoascertainhismotivesforbreakingwithme，becauseheknewIhadalwaysbefriendedhimwhileundermymilitarycommand，andinsecuringhimhisofficeofSecretaryofWar。IspokefrequentlytoPresidentGrantofthegrowingtendencyofhisSecretaryofWartousurpallthepowersofthecommandinggeneral，whichwouldsurelyresultindrivingmeaway。Heasfrequentlypromisedtobringustogethertoagreeuponajustlineofseparationofourrespectiveoffices，butneverdid。
Determinedtobringthemattertoanissue，IwrotethefollowingletterHEADQUARTERSARMYOFTHEUNITEDSTATES，WASHINGTON，D。C。，August17，1870。
GeneralW。W。BELKNAP，SecretaryofWar。
GENERAL:Imusturgentlyandrespectfullyinviteyourattentionwhenatleisuretoamatterofdeepinteresttofuturecommandinggeneralsofthearmymorethantomyself，oftheimperativenecessityoffiXingandclearlydefiningthelimitsofthepowersanddutiesofthegeneralofthearmyorofwhomsoevermaysucceedtotheplaceofcommander—in—chief。
ThecaseiswellstatedbyGeneralGrantinhisletterofJanuary29，1866，totheSecretaryofWar，Mr。Stanton，heretoappended，andthoughIfindnoofficialanswerrecorded，IrememberthatGeneralGranttoldmethattheSecretaryofWarhadpromptlyassuredhiminconversationthathefullyapprovedofhisviewsasexpressedinthisletter。
Atthattimethesubjectwasmuchdiscussed，andsoonafterCongressenactedthebillrevivingthegradeofgeneral，whichbillwasapprovedJuly25，1866，andprovidedthatthegeneral，whencommissioned，maybeauthorizedunderthedirectionandduringthepleasureofthePresidenttocommandthearmiesoftheUnitedStates;andafewdaysafter，viz。，July28，1866，wasenactedthelawwhichdefinedthemilitarypeaceestablishment。Theenactingclausereads:\"ThatthemilitarypeaceestablishmentoftheUnited。
Statesshallhereafterconsistoffiveregimentsofartillery，tenregimentsofcavalry，forty—fiveregimentsofinfantry，theprofessorsandCorpsofCadetsoftheUnitedStatesMilitaryAcademy，andsuchotherforcesasshallbeprovidedforbythisact，tobeknownasthearmyoftheUnitedStates。\"
Theactthenrecitesingreatdetailallthepartsofthearmy，makingnodistinctionbetweenthelineandstaff，butclearlymakeseachandeverypartanelementofthewhole。
Section37providesforaboardtorevisethearmyregulationsandreport;anddeclaresthattheregulationstheninforce，viz。，thoseof1863，shouldremainuntilCongress\"shallactonsaidreport;\"andsection38andlastenactsthatalllawsandpartsoflawsinconsistentwiththeprovisionsofthisactbeandthesameareherebyrepealed。
Undertheprovisionsofthislawmypredecessor，GeneralGrant，didnothesitatetocommandandmakeorderstoallpartsofthearmy，theMilitaryAcademy，andstaff，anditwasunderhisadvicethatthenewregulationswerecompiledin1868thatdrewthelinemoreclearlybetweenthehighandresponsibledutiesoftheSecretaryofWarandthegeneralofthearmy。HeassuredmemanyatimebeforeIwascalledheretosucceedhimthathewantedmetoperfectthedistinction，anditwasbyhisexpressordersthatonassumingthecommandofthearmyIspecificallyplacedtheheadsofthestaffcorpshereinWashingtonintheexactrelationtothearmywhichtheywouldbeartoanarmyinthefield。
Iamawarethatsubsequently，inhisordersofMarch26th，hemodifiedhisformerordersofMarch5th，butonlyastotheheadsofbureausinWashington，whohave，hetoldme，certainfunctionsofofficeimposedonthembyspeciallawsofCongress，whichlaws，ofcourse，overrideallordersandregulations，butIdidnoteitherunderstandfromhiminperson，orfromGeneralRawlins，atwhoseinstancethisorderwasmade，thatitwasdesignedinanywaytomodify，alter，orchangehispurposesthatdivisionanddepartmentcommanders，aswellasthegeneralofthearmy，shouldexercisethesamecommandofthestaffastheydidofthelineofthearmy。
IneednotremindtheSecretarythatordersandreportsaremadetoandfromtheMilitaryAcademywhichthegeneraldoesnotevensee，thoughtheMilitaryAcademyisspecificallynamedasapartofthatarmywhichheisrequiredtocommand。Leavesofabsencearegranted，thestationsofofficersarechanged，andotherordersarenowmadedirectlytothearmy，notthroughthegeneral，butdirectthroughotherofficialsandtheadjutant—general。
SolongasthisisthecaseIsurelydonotcommandthearmyoftheUnitedStates，andamnotresponsibleforit。
Iamawarethattheconfusionresultsfromthefactthatthethirty—seventhsectionoftheactofJuly28，1866，clothesthearmyregulationsof1863withthesanctionoflaw，butthenextsectionrepealsalllawsandpartsoflawsinconsistentwiththeprovisionsofthisact。Theregulationsof1863arebutacompilationofordersmadepriortothewar，whensuchmenasDavisandFloydtookpleasureinstrippingGeneralScottofeventhesemblanceofpower，andpurposelyreducedhimtoacipherinthecommandofthearmy。
Notonewordcanbefoundinthoseregulationsspeakingofthedutiesofthelieutenant—generalcommandingthearmy，ordefiningasingleactofauthorityrightfullydevolvingonhim。Notasinglementionismadeoftherightsanddutiesofacommander—in—chiefofthearmy。Heisignored，andpurposely，too，asapartoftheprogrammeresultingintherebellion，thatthearmywithoutalegitimateheadshouldpassintotheanarchywhichthesemenwereshapingforthewholecountry。
Iinviteyourattentiontothearmyregulationsof1847，whenourbestsoldierslived，amongwhomwasyourownfather，andseeparagraphs48and49，page8，andtheyaresoimportantthatI
quotethementire:
\"48。Themilitaryestablishmentisplacedundertheordersofthemajor—generalcommandinginchiefinallthatregardsitsdisciplineandmilitarycontrol。ItsfiscalarrangementsproperlybelongtotheadministrativedepartmentsofthestaffandtotheTreasuryDepartmentunderthedirectionoftheSecretaryofWar。
\"49。Thegeneralofthearmywillwatchovertheeconomyoftheserviceinallthatrelatestotheexpenditureofmoney，supplyofarms，ordnanceandordnancestores，clothing，equipments，camp—equipage，medicalandhospitalstores，barracks，quarters，transportation，MilitaryAcademy，pay，andsubsistence:inshort，everythingwhichentersintotheexpensesofthemilitaryestablishment，whetherpersonalormaterial。Hewillalsoseethattheestimatesforthemilitaryservicearebasedonproperdata，andmadefortheobjectscontemplatedbylaw，andnecessarytotheduesupportandusefulemploymentofthearmy。Incarryingintoeffecttheseimportantduties，hewillcalltohiscounselandassistancethestaff，andthoseofficersproper，inhisopinion，tobeemployedinverifyingandinspectingalltheobjectswhichmayrequireattention。Therulesandregulationsestablishedforthegovernmentofthearmy，andthelawsrelatingtothemilitaryestablishment，aretheguidestothecommandinggeneralintheperformanceofhisduties。\"
Whywasthis，orwhywasallmentionofanyfieldofdutyfortheheadofthearmyleftoutofthearmyregulations？SimplybecauseJeffersonDavishadapurpose，andabsorbedtohimself，asSecretaryofWar，asGeneralGrantwellsays，allthepowersofcommander—in—chief。Floydsucceededhim，andthelastregulationsof1863werebutanewcompilationoftheirorders，hastilycollectedandpublishedtosupplyavastarmywithanewedition。
IcontendthatallpartsoftheseregulationsinconsistentwiththelawofJuly28，1866，arerepealed。
Isurelydonotaskforanypowermyself，butIhopeandtrust，nowwhenwehaveamilitaryPresidentandamilitarySecretaryofWar，thatinthenewregulationstobelaidbeforeCongressnextsessionthefunctionsanddutiesofthecommander—in—chiefwillbesoclearlymarkedoutanddefinedthattheymaybeunderstoodbyhimselfandthearmyatlarge。
Iam，withgreatrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，General。
[Inclosure。]
WASHINGTON，January29，1866。
Hon。E。M。STANTON，SecretaryofWar:
>FromtheperiodofthedifficultiesbetweenMajor—General（nowLieutenant—General）ScottwithSecretaryMarcy，duringtheadministrationofPresidentPolk，thecommandofthearmyvirtuallypassedintothehandsoftheSecretaryofWar。
>Fromthatdaytothebreakingoutoftherebellionthegeneral—
in—chiefneverkepthisheadquartersinWashington，andcouldnot，consequently，withproprietyresumehisproperfunctions。Toadministertheaffairsofthearmyproperly，headquartersandtheadjutant—general’sofficemustbeinthesameplace。
Duringthewar，whileinthefield，myfunctionsascommanderofallthearmieswasneverimpaired，butwerefacilitatedinallessentialmattersbytheAdministrationandbytheWarDepartment。
Now，however，thatthewarisover，andIhavebroughtmyhead—
quarterstothecity，Ifindmypresentpositionembarrassingand，Ithink，outofplace。Ihavebeenintending，ordidintend，tomakethebeginningoftheNewYearthetimetobringthismatterbeforeyou，withtheviewofaskingtohavetheoldconditionofaffairsrestored，butfromdiffidenceaboutmentioningthematterhavedelayed。InafewwordsIwillstatewhatIconceivetobemydutiesandmyplace，andaskrespectfullytoberestoredtothemandit。
Theentireadjutant—general’sofficeshouldbeundertheentirecontrolofthegeneral—in—chiefofthearmy。Noordersshouldgotothearmy，ortheadjutant—general，exceptthroughthegeneral—
in—chief。SuchasrequiretheactionofthePresidentwouldbelaidbeforetheSecretaryofWar，whoseactionswouldberegardedasthoseofthePresident。Inshort，inmyopinion，thegeneral—
in—chiefstandsbetweenthePresidentandthearmyinallofficialmatters，andtheSecretaryofWarisbetweenthearmy（throughthegeneral—in—chief）andthePresident。
Icanverywellconceivethatarulesolongdisregardedcouldnot，orwouldnot，berestoredwithoutthesubjectbeingpresented，andInowdosorespectfullyforyourconsideration。
U。S。GRANT，Lieutenant—General。
GeneralBelknapneveransweredthatletter。
InAugust，1870，washeldatDesMoines，Iowa，anencampmentofoldsoldierswhichIattended，enroutetothePacific，andatOmahareceivedthisletter:
LONGBRANCH，NewJersey，August18，1870。
GeneralW。T。SHERMAN。
DEARGENERAL:Yourletterofthe7thinst。didnotreachLongBranchuntilafterIhadleftforSt。Louis，andconsequentlyisjustbeforemeforthefirsttime。Idonotknowwhatchangesrecentlaws，particularlythelastarmybillpassed，makeintherelationsbetweenthegeneralofthearmyandtheSecretaryofWar。
Nothavingthislaworotherstatuteshere，Icannotexaminethesubjectnow，norwouldIwanttowithoutconsultationwiththeSecretaryofWar。OnourreturntoWashingtonIhavenodoubtbutthattherelationsbetweentheSecretaryandyourselfcanbemadepleasant，andthedutiesofeachbesoclearlydefinedastoleavenodoubtwheretheauthorityofoneleavesoffandtheothercommences。
Myownviews，whencommandingthearmy，werethatorderstothearmyshouldgothroughthegeneral。Nochangesshouldbemade，however，eitherofthelocationoftroopsorofficers，withouttheknowledgeoftheSecretaryofWar。
Inpeace，thegeneralcommandedthemwithoutreportingtotheSecretaryfartherthanhechosethespecificordershegavefromtimetotime，butsubjectedhimselftoordersfromtheSecretary，thelatterderivinghisauthoritytogiveordersfromthePresident。AsCongresshastheright，however，tomakerulesandregalationsforthegovernmentofthearmy，rulesmadebythemwhethertheyareastheyshouldbeornot，willhavetogovern。Asbeforestated，Ihavenotexaminedtherecentlaw。
Yourstruly，U。S。GRANT。
TowhichIreplied:
OMAHA，NEBRASKA，September2，1870。
GeneralU。S。GRANT，Washington，D。C。
DEARGENERAL:IhavereceivedyourmostacceptableletterofAugust18th，andassureyouthatIamperfectlywillingtoabidebyanydecisionyoumaymake。WehadamostenthusiasticmeetingatDesMoines，andGeneralBellknapgaveusafine，finishedaddress。I
haveconcludedtogoovertoSanFranciscotoattendtheannualcelebrationofthePioneers，tobeheldonthe9thinstant;fromthereIwillmakeashorttour，aimingtogetbacktoSt。Louisbythe1stofOctober，andsoontoWashingtonwithoutunnecessarydelay。
Consciousoftheheavyburdensalreadyonyou，Ishouldrefrainfromaddingoneouncetoyourloadofcare，butitseemstomenowisthetimetofixclearlyandplainlythefieldofdutyfortheSecretaryofWarandthecommandinggeneralofthearmy，sothatwemayescapetheunpleasantcontroversythatgavesomuchscandalinGeneralScott’stime，andleavetooursuccessorsaclearfield。
Nomatterwhattheresult，Ipromisetosubmittowhateverdecisionyoumaymake。IalsofeelcertainthatGeneralBelknapthinksheissimplyexecutingthelawasitnowstands，butIamequallycertainthathedoesnotinterpretthelawrevivingthegradeofgeneral，andthatfixingthe\"peaceestablishment\"of1868，asI
construethem。
Forinstance，IamsupposedtocontrolthedisciplineoftheMilitaryAcademyasapartofthearmy，whereasGeneralBelknaporderedacourtofinquiryinthecaseofthecoloredcadet，madethedetail，reviewedtheproceedings，andmadehisorder，withoutmyknowingawordofit，exceptthroughthenewspapers;andmorerecently，whenIwenttoChicagotoattendtosomedivisionbusiness，Ifoundtheinspector—general（Hardie）underordersfromtheSecretaryofWartogotoMontanaonsomeclaimbusiness。
AllIaskisthatsuchordersshouldgothroughme。Ifallthestaff—officersaresubjecttoreceiveordersdirectfromtheSecretaryofWaritwillsurelyclashwiththeorderstheymaybeintheactofexecutingfromme，orfromtheirimmediatecommanders。
IaskthatGeneralBelknapdrawupsomeclear，well—definedrulesformyaction，thatheshowthemtomebeforepublication，thatI
makeonthemmyremarks，andthenthatyoumakeafinaldecision。
Ipromisefaithfullytoabidebyit，orgiveupmycommission。
PleaseshowthistoGeneralBelknap，andIwillbebackearlyinOctober。Withgreatrespect，yourfriend，W。T。SHERMAN
IdidreturnaboutOctober15th，sawPresidentGrant，whosaidnothinghadbeendoneinthepremises，butthathewouldbringGeneralBelknapandmetogetherandsettlethismatter。MatterswentalongprettymachasusualtillthemonthofAugust，1871，whenIdinedattheArlingtonwithAdmiralAlderandGeneralBelknap。Theformersaidhehadbeenpromotedtorear—admiralandappointedtocommandtheEuropeansquadron，thenatVillaFranca，nearNice，andthathewasgoingoutinthefrigateWabash，invitingmetogoalong。IhadneverbeentoEurope，andtheopportunitywastootemptingtorefuse。AftersomepreliminariesI
agreedtogoalong，takingwithmeasaides—de—campColonelAudenriedandLieutenantFredGrant。TheWabashwasbeingoverhauledattheNavy—YardatBoston，andwasnotreadytosailtillNovember，whenshecametoNew—York，whereweallembarkedSaturday，November11th。
Ihaveveryfullnotesofthewholetrip，andhereneedonlystatethatwewentouttotheIslandofMadeira，andthencetoCadizandGibraltar。Heremypartylanded，andtheWabashwentontoVillaFranca。FromGibraltarwemadethegeneraltourofSpaintoBordeaux，throughthesouthofFrancetoMarseilles，Toulon，etc。，toNice，fromwhichplacewerejoinedtheWabashandbroughtashoreourbaggage。
>FromNicewewenttoGenoa，Turin，theMontCenisTunnel，Milan，Venice，etc。，toRome。ThencetoNaples，Messina，andSyracuse，wherewetookasteamertoMalta。FromMaltatoEgyptandConstantinople，toSebastopol，Poti，andTiflis。AtConstantinopleandSebastopolmypartywasincreasedbyGovernorCurtin，hisson，andMr。McGahan。
ItwasmypurposetohavereachedtheCaspian，andtakenboatstotheVolga，andupthatriverasfarasnavigationwouldpermit，butweweredissuadedbytheGrand—DukeMichael，Governor—GeneraloftheCaucasas，andtookcarriagessixhundredmilestoTaganrog，ontheSeaofAzof，towhichpointtherailroadsystemofRussiawascompleted。FromTaganrogwetookcarstoMoscowandSt。