The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-26

Colonel Fremont and the Onlcers at Fort
LeAvenworth.
We copy from the st. Louis Republican the fol-
lowing reply 10 the charges which have been made
against the officers at Fort Leayenworth, of having
treated Col. Fremont inhospitably:
TO THE PUBLIC.
FoRT LEAvENwoRTH, Oct. 1, lS49
have seen letter in the ST. Louis Republican,
of the 18th utimo dated Weston in which the
charge, once before publicly made against the Off
of this post, for ncgecting to show hospitality
TO Col Fremont, when he arrived here, in the sum
of lS47 from California is reiterated and given
10 the public.
AS this charge has never been noticed in public
manner, and no denial of il made by those against
whom it has been brought, it becomes the duty Of
the assaulted now TO notice it, longer silence
would be considered full admission Of its truth
And | at the fort when Col. Fremont
arrived, and stand also charged with inhospitable
neglect to him, will lay before the public plain
and simple statement of the facts and circnm-
stances Of the case,
1t Sunday morning, about the time OF
divine service, that General kearny and his stan
arrived here from California. was at church at
the time Of his arrival and knew it not until after
the service was over, which was about IL m. Il
wish this fact to be noticed.) Twas then informed
that General X. and his staff were in the garrison,
and went directly TO call upon them. While
conyerslng with thenl was told tiat Col Fremont
had come with them from California and on ask
ing where he was, that might pay my respects to
him, which sincerely wished to do, although had
never Col. F., was told that he had
camped about three miles from the garrison, with
his party. Then mention was made Of the difficult
ties existing between him and General Kearny,
and the probability that the General would arrest
him.
which at the garrison is always one p. m. l re-
turned to my quarters, which are outside the gar
rison, and thence to where was boarding, which
was close to my quarters (for, as my family had
gone East that summer, was not keeping house.)
While at dinner again heard some one remark
that Col. Fremont would be arrested but not one
remark did hear then, or previous to this, while
among the officers in the garrison either censuring
or disparaging Col. Fremont; and as knew
thing, certainly, of the of the difficulties,
officially, determined still to Col. Fremont
and invite him to my quarters, and tender him
room while he remained and invite him to eat with
me at my boarding house.
Accordingly after dinner, some time between
two and three p. m, returned into the garrison
again; this time for the express purpose OF seeing
Col. Fremont, if there, and if not, to get horse
and ride to his camp. But was told that Col. F.
had in the mean time, been in the garrison, hav-
ing been sent for by General Kearny and arrested,
and had returned to his camp. And all this was
done during my absence from the garrison So
far. then, as am concerned, the public will per-
ceive how much opportunity had for exercising
hospitality to Col. Fremont. And can truly say
OF the other Officers then at the tnat
not hear of them express any other desire than
TO show Col. Fremont the customary attention and
respect that all officers receive when they arrive at
a military post. And had Col Fremont come into
the garrison, instead Of encamping three miles
from il, he would have received all the customary
attention and consideration.
This heard every officer declare-for, said they,
in my hearing "We have nothing to do with the
quarrel between General Kearny and Colonel FREE
mont! But he came in just at the time when the
officers and families were at dinner, and some OF
them did not even see him, know that he was in
the garrison; and those who did, knew for what
purpose he there, and could not go into the
Office where he was with General X, and invite
him to their quarters. And even after Colonel Ere
mont had returned to his camp, it proposed
by some of the officers to ride and him, myself
being one of the number when We were told that
he had broken up his camp and started for Kansas,
thirty six miles below this place.
Much has been said about the prejudice of the
officers that then here against Col Fremont.
Now can in all truth say that never heard one
sentiment Of that character, uttered by single
officer that here, against him but have heard
them speak often of his great and praiseworthy
services and laborious and perseverng duties; and
all, as well myself, DESTROYS of making his
acquaintance And though it is true that Colonel
Fremont received hospitality at the hands of
any one at this post, il not for the ,cant Of
disposition INCLINATION parts that he received
1t not LEANDER KER, Chap. U. s. A.