I 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 diffidence about mentioning the matter have delayed.

In a few words I will state what I conceive to be my duties and my place, and ask respectfully to be restored to them and it.
The entire adjutant-general's office should be under the entire control of the general-in-chief of the army.

No orders should go to the army, or the adjutant-general, except through the general- in-chief.

Such as require 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-chief stands between the President and the army in all official matters, and the Secretary of War is between the army (through the general-in-chief) and the President.
I can very well conceive that a rule so long disregarded could not, or would not, be restored without the subject being presented, and I now do so respectfully for your consideration.
U.S.GRANT, Lieutenant-General.
General Belknap never answered that letter.
In August, 1870, was held at Des Moines, Iowa, an encampment of old soldiers which I attended, en route to the Pacific, and at Omaha received this letter: LONG BRANCH, New Jersey, August 18,1870.
General W.T.SHERMAN.
DEAR GENERAL: Your letter of the 7th inst.