ARKANSAS. void from and after the adoption of said constitu- can 7. "How legitimate rights can be acquired under authority declared to be illegal and void," be conceived by recurring to the fundamental principle that the past cannot be recalled by the most absolute powers; that all the acts of the State, relative to her internal municipal laws and police regulations, were valid, and were only rendered invalid, saving the exceptions named, from the adoption of said constitution of 1864. Were this not the case, if another civil war should arise, persons entertaining different views might succeed, and again declare that the present constitution and all acts done under it were, and ever had been, null and void. In accordance with these views, the minority be lieve that all sales of lands of the United States and of the lands of persons, on account of their allegiance thereto, were at all times, and are now, by the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of 1864, null and void. No legislation can protect the supposed interests of persons in the purchase of the same; but that the State ought to be bound by her action in selling lands, which, prior to, and on the 6th of May, 1861, belonged to her, and that suitable legislation could and ought to be made, to protect the interests of persons interested therein. In the Senate, the minority report was substituted for the majority and adopted-yeas 16, nays 6. The election of a Senator to Congress for the long term, and another for a short term, occasioned by the resignation of William M. Fishback, commenced in each House under the recent act of Congress on November 20th. Neither House was able to agree upon a Senator, and both met in joint convention on the 24th, when John T. Jones was elected for the short term. No choice was made for the long term. A joint convention was again held on the 26th, without success; but on the 27th, Andrew Hunter was chosen, who had been for the last twenty-five years an itinerant minister of the Methodist Church. The recommendation of the Governor relative to public schools was promptly responded to by the Legislature. A bill was introduced providing for the support of these schools by levying a special tax of one-fifth of one per cent. on all taxable property belonging to white citizens, and admitting to the benefit of the schools all white children between the ages of six and eighteen years. Special officers were to be appointed to administer the system. The present debt of the State was created entirely on account of the banks, and on January 1, 1860, amounted to $3,182,968. Of this sum $2,097,145 is secured by a mortgage upon 188,110 acres of the best and most valuable The Governor, in his message to the Legisla- General Edwards, under date of October 7th, writes: "Union men are just as safe in this State as anywhere else. We have not our proportional part of lawlessness in comparison with other States. There are but few instances of violence being committed on political considerations, and where these have occurred the wrongs have been committed as much by one party as the other." Active efforts were made to induce capitalists and laborers to become citizens of the State, and assurances were given that persons of all shades of political opinions were as safe in person and property within the State as they could be anywhere. Measures were taken to improve and extend the various railroads in operation, as conducive to public prosperity; it is believed that in a few years the State will be traversed by them in every direction. The public sentiment of the State had become favorably changed with regard to the freedmen, and measures for their education and general improvement were advocated in the most influential quarters. The passage of laws securing to all the equal protection of person and property, was a proposition universally approved. Few, however, could at present be found who would consent to make them full citizens of the State, and as such, entitled to an equality of all rights. It was apprehended that the embarrassments arising in the State from a scarcity of labor would tend to increase in subsequent years, in consequence of the rapid disappearance of the negro. ARMINIAN CHURCHES. (See EASTERN CHURCHES.) ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES. By a communication from the War Department, in response to a resolution adopted by the House of Representatives, it was shown that on January 9, 1866, the Army, both regular and volunteer, comprised 152,611 officers and men, organized and distributed as follows: Thus, in eighteen months from the cessation of hostilities, 1,023,021 men were disbanded and transported to their homes. Seven-eighths of this force were discharged previous to January 1, 1866, and the whole number could easily have been disposed of within a year of deemed necessary to retain a considerable force the termination of the war, had it not been of volunteers in the service pending the reorganization of the regular army. So soon as the latter shall be placed upon a permanent footing, it is not likely that a single volunteer soldier will be found in the Army. Congress, two important bills were introduced, During the first session of the Thirty-ninth regulating the military peace establishment of the United States, one of which originated in the Senate, and the other in the House of Representatives. The former, known as Senator Wilson's bill, provided for five regiments of artillery, six of cavalry, and thirty-seven of infantry; the latter, which was drawn up by Mr. Schenck, of the House of Representatives, differed from the former principally in making the infantry force comprise fifty regiments, of which ten were to be formed from the Veteran Reserve Corps. It also aimed at appointing regimental adjutants, quartermasters, and commissaries, and of filling original vacancies in the lower grades of officers, from among those who had been officers or soldiers of the volunteers; favored promotion by seniority in several departments of the Army; and was considered to do injustice to officers of the regular service. The Senate bill passed the body in which it originated early in the session, but made no further progress, the House adhering tenaciously to its own bill. As it was feared that between the rival projects no bill whatever would be passed, which under existing circumstances would have proved detrimental to the interests of the country, Gen. Grant was induced to send the following communication to the Secretary of War, recommending the Senate bill, which, on May 17th, was laid before Congress by the President: ARMY, UNITED STATES. of Congress, in agreeing upon a plan of reorganization of the Army suitable to our present require ments, and the urgent necessity for early action, I am induced to present the matter to you officially, and to ask the attention of Congress to it, believing that when they have the matter fairly before them, they will do what should be done speedily. at once. The colored volunteer has equal right to claim his discharge, but as yet he has not done so. How long will existing laws authorize the retention of this force, even if they are content to remain ? this point, the committee agreed upon the Senate bill, with some amendments, which immediately passed both Houses almost unanimously, and on July 28, 1866, became a law. Its main features may be thus recapitulated: The peace establishment of the country will consist of five At the present time settlements are springing up regiments of artillery, ten of cavalry, and fortywith unusual rapidity in the district of country between the Missouri River and the Pacific Ocean, where five of infantry. The artillery regiments are to heretofore the Indians were left in undisputed pos- have the same organization as was prescribed session. Emigrants are pushing to those settlements by law for the fifth regiment of that arm in and to the gold-fields of the Rocky Mountains by 1861. The cavalry regiments are to consist of the six previously in the service, of twelve comevery available highway. The people flocking to those regions are citizens of the United States organized, of which two are to be composed of and entitled to the protection of the Government. panies each, with four new regiments, similarly They are developing the resources of the country colored men; the original vacancies in the to its great advantage, thus making it our interest as grades of first and second lieutenant to be well as our duty to give them military protection. This makes a much greater force west of the Missis filled by selection from among the officers and sippi necessary than was ever heretofore required. A small military force is required in all the States soldiers of volunteer cavalry, and two-thirds of lately in rebellion, and it cannot be foreseen that this the original vacancies in the higher grades from It officers of volunteer cavalry, and one-third force will not be required for some time to come. is to be hoped that this force will not be necessary from officers of the regular Army, all of whom to enforce the laws, either State or national. But have served two years in the field during the the difference of sentiment engendered by the great war which has raged for four years, will make the war, and been distinguished for capacity and presence of a military force necessary to give a feel-good conduct. The President is authorized, at ing of security to the people; all classes disposed to his discretion, to arm and drill any portion of the cavalry force as infantry or dismounted obey the laws of the country will feel this alike. To maintain order, the Government has been are to consist of the first ten regiments, of ten compelled to retain volunteers. All white volunteers cavalry. The forty-five regiments of infantry have become dissatisfied, and claim that the contract with them has been violated, by retaining them after companies each, now in the service; of twentyseven regiments, of ten companies each, to be the war was over. By reason of dissatisfaction they are no longer of use, and might as well be discharged formed by adding two companies to each battalion of the remaining nine three-battalion regiments; and of eight new regiments, of ten companies each, four of which are to be comVeteran Reserve Corps. Original vacancies in the grade of first and second lieutenants are to posed of colored men, and four to be called the be filled by selection from among the officers and soldiers of volunteers; and of those occurring in the higher grades, half are to be filled from officers of volunteers, and half from officers of the regular Army, all of whom must have served two years during the war, and been distinguished for capacity and good conduct. The Veteran Reserve Corps are to be officered by appointment from officers and soldiers of volunteers or the regular Army, who have been wounded in the service, but are nevertheless competent for garrison or similiar duty. All persons receiving appointment in any branch of the service must have previously passed a satisfactory examination before a board of officers, convened under the direction of the Secretary of War, and such appointments are to be without regard to previous rank. Persons who have served in any capacity under the Confederate Government are precluded from holding any office or position in the Army of the United States. The infantry companies are to have a maximum strength of one hundred men, and a minimum strength of fifty men, and the organization, with respect to officers, will be similar to that of the first ten regiments of infantry in the service. The number of bands in the army is reduced to fifteen, to be assigned to brigades in time of war, and in tune of peace to for the reorganization of the Army which, in my opin The United States Senate passed promptly a bill ion, is as free from objection as any great measure could possibly be, and it would supply the minimum requisite force. It gives but a few thousand additional men over the present organization, but gives a large number of additional batteries and companies. The public service, guarding routes of travel over the plains, and giving protection to the Southern States, demands the occupation of a great number of posts. For many of them a small company is just as efficient as one with more men in it would be. The bill before Congress, or the one that has passed the Senate, gives increased number of rank and file of each company. It is an exceedingly appropriate measure in this particular, for it provides for the increase The company is when occasion requires more men. he smallest unit of an organization that can be used without materially injuring discipline and efficiency. The belief that Congress would act promptly on this matter, if their attention were called to it, has in duced me to respectfully ask your attention to it. If you agree with me in this matter, I would also ask, if you deem it proper, that this, with such indorsement as you may be pleased to make, be laid before Congress through the Speaker of the House. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. Finally, at a late hour of the session, a committee of conference was appointed to reconsile the differences between the two bills. The chief struggle was with regard to the number of Veteran Reserve regiments to be incorporated in the army. Mr. Schenck having yielded 52 ARMY, UNITED STATES. assembled brigades, or to forts or posts at which the largest number of troops shall be ordinarily stationed. Enlistments into the cavalry must be for the term of five years, and into the artillery and infantry for three years, and recruits may be enlisted into the Veteran Reserve Corps from men who have been wounded in the military service of the country, provided they are found to be fitted for garrison or other light duty, to which, when enlisted, they are to be assigned. The general officers of the Army are to comprise one general, one lieutenant-general, five major-generals, and ten brigadier-generals, who are entitled to the same pay, emoluments, and staff as heretofore provided by law. The military establishment of the country, as reorganized by the act of July 28, 1866, will thus consist of ten regiments, or one hundred and twenty companies, of cavalry, five regiments, or sixty companies, of artillery, and forty-five regiments, or four hundred and fifty companies, of infantry. Should all the companies be filled to their maximum strength of one hundred men, the army would comprise a total of nearly 76,000 men, rank and file, of all arms, who may be thus classed: Artillery.. Cavalry.... Infantry... Total...... were enlisted for the regular Army, and that at 7,000 14,000 9th.. (col'd). 55,000 10th.. 11th.. Infantry. 76,000 12th.. 66 66 The present strength of companies has been fixed at sixty-four privates for artillery, cavalry, and infantry, and one hundred and twenty-two privates for light batteries of artillery, making an aggregate strength of 54,302 men. From the annual report of the Secretary of War, it appears that at the close of 1866, the two new white regiments of cavalry were recruited, or nearly recruited, and that, of the fifty-four companies required to convert into regiments the single battalions of the nine three-battalion regiments, authorized by the act of 1861, fortyeight had been completed and sent to their regiments. The four Veteran Reserve regiments were on active duty, and measures had been taken to recruit the colored regiments from the colored volunteers still in the service. During the war the volunteer service was so much more popular than the regular Army, that it was found impossible to fill up the ranks of the latter to the extent authorized by law. Soon after the general disbandment of volunteers commenced, in the summer of 1865, recruiting for the regulars became more successful, and since the passage of the act of July 28, 1866, has proceeded so satisfactorily that there seems no reason to doubt that the maximum strength of 54,302 men, now fixed upon, will be reached before the summer of 1867. The whole subject of recruiting for the regular Army, and disbanding volunteers, is by law placed under the supervision of the Adjutant-General's office. By the report of this officer it appears that from October 1, 1865, to October 1, 1866, 36,674 recruits 14th.. 15th.. 16th.. 18th.. 21st.. 22d... 24th.. 25th.. 27th.. 66 29th.. 31st. 33d... 35th.. 36th: 39th.. 41st 44th.. 48d.. (col'd) 66 66 Colonels. Andrew J. Smith. Edward Hatch. Benjamin H. Grierson. Wm. S. Ketchum. C. C. Augur. Isaac V. D. Reeve. John D. Stevenson. Thos. L. Crittenden. A. V. Kautz (Lieut.-Col.). Charles Griffin. John Gibbon. George W. Getty. Wm. B. Hazen. Joseph A. Mower. Nelson A. Mills. Geo. W. Schofield (Major). (Vet. Res.). Daniel E. Sickles. John C. Robinson. By General Orders, No. 95, the two additional regiments of cavalry composed of white men, are to be known as the 7th and 8th, and those composed of colored men as the 9th and 10th. The ten regiments of infantry in the service at the commencement of the war retain their old designations. The first battalions of ARMY, UNITED STATES. the nine three-battalion regiments, organized in 1861, retain the designation of the regiments to which they belonged, and under the new organization will be known as the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th regiments of infantry. The second battalions of the three-battalion regiments become respectively the 20th, 21st, 22d, 23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th regiments of infantry; and the third battalions the 29th, 30th, 31st, 32d, 33d,. 34th, 35th, 36th, and 37th regiments of infantry. The four regiments to be composed of colored men will be designated the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st regiments of infantry. The remaining four regiments will be designated the 42d, 43d, 44th, and 45th regiments of infantry, Veteran Reserve Corps, and will be regarded as a distinct organization, in which promotions will be regulated accordingly. In the following table will be found a list of the several military departments into which the country has been divided, with the troops assigned to each: 1. The Department of the East, Major-General George G. Meade to command, to embrace the New England States, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Fort Delaware. Headquarters at Philadelphia. First regiment of artillery, 10 companies; Third regiment of artillery, 10 companies; Fourth regiment of artillery, 3 companies; Fourth regiment of infantry, 7 companies; Forty-second regiment of infantry, 10 companies. 2. The Department of the Lakes, Brigadier and Brevet Major General Joseph Hooker to command, to embrace the States of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Headquarters at Detroit. Fourth regiment of artillery, 1 light battery; Fourth regiment of infantry, 3 companies; Forty-third regiment of infantry, Veteran Reserves, 10 companies. 3. The Department of Washington, Brigadier and Brevet Major General E. R. S. Canby to command, to embrace the District of Columbia, Alexandria and Fairfax Counties, Virginia, and the States of Maryland and Delaware, except Fort Delaware. Headquarters at WashIngton. Fifth regiment of cavalry, 3 companies; Fourth regiment of artillery, 7 companies; Twelfth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Thirtieth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Fortieth regiment of infantry, recruiting in Washington; Forty-fourth regiment of infantry, Veteran Reserves, 10 companies. 4. The Department of the Potomac, Brigadier and Brevet Major General John M. Schofield to command, to embrace the States of Virginia, except Alexandria and Fairfax Counties, and West Virginia. Headquarters at Richmond. Fifth regiment of cavalry, 1 company; Fifth regiment of artillery, 1 light battery and 4 companies; Eleventh regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Twentieth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Twenty-first regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Twenty-ninth regiment of infantry, 10 companies. VOL. VI.-3 A 5. The Department of the South, MajorGeneral Daniel E. Sickles to command, to embrace the States of North and South Carolina. Headquarters at Charleston. Fifth regiment of cavalry, 4 companies; Third regiment of artillery, 1 light battery; Sixth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Eighth regiment of infantry, 10 companies. 6. The Department of the Tennessee, Major-General George H. Thomas to command, to embrace the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Headquarters at Louisville. Fifth regiment of cavalry, 4 companies; Second regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Fifteenth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Sixteenth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Twenty-fourth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Twenty-fifth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Thirty-third regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Thirty-fourth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Forty-fifth regiment of infantry, Veteran Reserves, 10 companies. 7. The Department of the Gulf, MajorGeneral Philip H. Sheridan_to_command, to embrace the States of Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. Headquarters at New Orleans. Fourth regiment of cavalry, 12 companies; Sixth regiment of cavalry, 12 companies; Ninth regiment of cavalry, 12 companies; First regiment of artillery, 2 light batteries; Fifth regiment of artillery, 6 companies; First regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Seventh regiment of infantry 10 companies; Seventeenth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Twenty-sixth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Thirty-fifth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Thirty-ninth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Forty-first regiment of infantry, 10 companies. 8. The Department of the Arkansas, Brigadier and Brevet Major General E. O. C. Ord to command, to embrace the State of Arkansas Fifth regiment of artillery, 1 and Indian Territory west. Headquarters at Little Rock. light battery; Nineteenth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Twenty-eighth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Thirty-seventh regiment of infantry, 10 companies. 9. The Department of the Missouri, MajorGeneral Winfield S. Hancock to command, to Second embrace the States of Missouri and Kansas, and the Territories of Colorado and New Mexico. Headquarters at Fort Leavenworth. regiment of cavalry, 2 companies; Third regiment of cavalry, 12 companies; Seventh regiment of cavalry, 12 companies; Fourth regiment of artillery, 1 light battery; Third regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Fifth regiment of infantry, 10 companies; Tenth regiment of cavalry, 12 companies; Thirty-eighth regiment of infantry, 10 companies. 10. The Department of the Platte, Brigadier and Brevet Major General Philip St. George Cooke to command, to embrace the State of Iowa, the Territories of Nebraska and Utah, so much of Dakota as lies west of the |