generally in force, the "Black Laws" had been suspended, and the Freedmen's
Bureau was everywhere caring for the Negroes. What disorder existed was of
recent origin and in the main was due to the unsettling effects of the debates
in Congress and to the organization of the Negroes for political purposes.

* The first five generals appointed were Schofield, Sickles. Pope, Ord, and
Sheridan. None of these remained in his district until reconstruction was
completed. To Schofield's command in the first district succeeded in turn
Stoneman, Webb, and Canby; Sickles gave way to Canby, and Pope to Meade; Ord
in the fourth district was followed by Gillem, McDowell, and Ames; Sheridan,
in the fifth, was succeeded by Griffen, Mower, Hancock, Buchanan, Reynolds,
and Canby. Some of the generals were radical; others, moderate and tactful.
The most extreme were Sheridan, Pope, and Sickles. Those most acceptable to
the whites were Hancock, Schofield, and Meade. General Grant himself became
more radical in his actions as he became involved in the fight between
Congress and the President.


Military rule was established in the South with slight friction, but it was
soon found that the reconstruction laws were not sufficiently clear on two
points: first, whether there was any limit to the authority of the five
generals over the local and state governments and, if so, whether the limiting
authority was in the President; and second, whether the disfranchising
provisions in the laws were punitive and hence to be construed strictly.
Attorney-General Stanbery, in May and June 1867, drew up opinions in which he
maintained that the laws were to be considered punitive and therefore to be
construed strictly. After discussions in cabinet meetings, these opinions
received the approval of all except Stanton, Secretary of War, who had already
joined the radical camp. The Attorney-General's opinion was sent out to the
district commanders for their information and guidance. But Congress did not