Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

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[55] the grade of lieutenant-general be revived in the army of the United States, and the President be authorized, whenever he should deem it expedient, to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a commander of the army, to be selected, during war, from among the officers, not below the grade of major-general, of the regular army, or of volunteers most distinguished by courage, skill, and genius in their profession, and who, being commissioned as lieutenant-general, might be authorized to command the armies of the United States. That the lieutenant-general, appointed as before provided, should be entitled to the pay, allowances, and staff specified in the fifth section of the act approved May twenty-eighth, 1798; and also to the allowances described in the sixth section of the act approved August twenty-third, 1842, granting additional rations to certain officers.

The amendment provided, that the grade of lieutenant-general be revived in the army of the United States; and that the President be authorized, whenever he should deem it expedient, to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a commander of the army, to be selected, during war, from among the officers in the military service of the United States, not below the grade of major-general, most distinguished for courage, skill, and ability; and who, being commissioned as lieutenant-general, should be authorized, under the direction of the President, to command the armies of the United States. That the lieutenant-general appointed, as before provided, should be entitled to the pay, allowances, and staff specified in the fifth section of the act approved May twenty-eighth, 1798; and also the allowances described in the sixth section of the act approved August twenty-third, 1842, granting additional rations to certain officers: Provided, that nothing in the bill contained should be construed in any way to affect the rank, pay, or allowances of Winfield Scott, Lieutenant-General by brevet, then on the retired list of the army. Mr. Farnsworth, Mr. Schenck, Mr. Washburne, and Mr. Hubbard advocated the passage of the measure, and Mr. Garfield, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Boutwell opposed it. Mr. Garfield moved that the bill and amendment be laid upon the table — yeas, nineteen; nays, one hundred and seventeen. Mr. Ross, of Illinois, moved to amend by adding, “And that we respectfully recommend the appointment of Major-General U. S. Grant for the position of lieutenant-general;” and it was agreed to — yeas, one hundred and eleven; nays, forty-one.

In the Senate, on the ninth, Mr. Wilson, from the Military Committee, to which it had been referred, reported it back with amendments. On the eleventh, on motion of Mr. Wilson, the Senate proceeded to its consideration.

The first amendment of the Committee was in line seven, section one, to strike out the words “commander of the army,” and to insert “lieutenant-general;” and in line eight, after the word “selected,” to strike out the words, “during the war;” so that the clause read: “And the President is hereby authorized, whenever he shall deem it expedient, to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a lieutenant-general, to be selected from among those officers in the military service of the United States, not below the grade of major-general, most distinguished for courage, skill, and ability.” The amendment was opposed by Mr. Trumbull, and supported by Mr. Nesmith and Mr. Johnson, and adopted — yeas, twenty-five; nays, fifteen.

The next amendment of the Committee was in line eleven, after the word “ability,” to strike out the following words: “And who, being commissioned as lieutenant-general, shall be authorized, under the direction of the President, to command the armies of the United States; and that we respectfully recommend the appointment of Major-General U. S. Grant, of Illinois, for the position of lieuenant-general.” The amendment was opposed by Mr. Sherman, Mr. Howe, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Trumbull, Mr. Howard, Mr. Doolittle, and supported by Mr. Wilson, Mr. Nesmith, Mr. Grimes, Mr. Lane, and Mr. Johnson.

On the twenty-fourth, the Senate resumed the consideration of the bill, and Mr. Grimes declared his unalterable opposition to its passage in any shape in which it would be presented to the Senate. Mr. Sherman, Mr. Howe, Mr. Wilkinson, and Mr. Hale made speeches in favor of the bill and against the amendment. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Fessenden spoke for the amendment; and it was agreed to — yeas, twenty-eight; nays, twelve. Mr. Conness, of California, moved to amend the bill, by inserting after the words “lieutenant-general,” the words, “who shall be commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States, under the direction of the President, and who shall remain in chief command during the pleasure of the President.” Mr. Conness demanded the yeas and nays, and they were ordered — yeas, ten; nays, twenty-eight. So the amendment was rejected. Mr. Howard demanded the yeas and nays on the passage of the bill, and they were ordered. After a speech from Mr. Davis against the bill, it was passed — yeas, thirty-one; nays, six.

On the twenty-fifth, the House, on motion of Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, disagreed to the amendments of the Senate, asked a committee of conference, and appointed Mr. Washburne, Mr. McAllister, of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Fenton, of New-York, managers on its part. The Senate, on the same day, voted to insist on its amendments, agreed to a committee of conference, and appointed Mr. Wilson, Mr. Lane, of Indiana, and Mr. Johnson managers on its part.

On the twenty-sixth, Mr. Wilson, from the committee of conference, reported that the House of Representatives recede from its disagreement to the Senate amendments, and agree to the same with amendments. The report was accepted without a division. Mr. Washburne, from the conference committee,