Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-11-16
G)fQ)bio 9tatesllrfl,,
TIE r M Q
PARTICULARS OF PREMoNr's REMovAL.'
. be- ST. LOUIS, November la, 1861.

TO tte Editor Of The Enquirer:
In my last letter promised you the particu-
lars of General Fremont's removal and his very
singular conduct. The narration which send
you is from the report of the bearer of dispatch
GO, Captain McKenny, to General Curtis.
On the 29th of October General Curtiss re-
ceived from the President, per Mr.. SWEET, q
former law partner of Mr. Lincoln, an order
from Lieutenant General Winfield Scott, di-
rected to Msjor-General ]. G. Fremont, "to turn.
over the command of the Department of the
West to Major General J Hunter, and to re-
port himself. By letter, Immediately to head
quarters at w Wasbingto !" Accompanying this
order were Instructions from the Executive to
General Curtiss, viz: "If a decided uictosy had
been wOa, substantial battle and Eot mere skir-
npsh going on, or If General Fremont was IN the
Immediate presence Of the enemy, and about TO gtre
battle, then these orders not to be delivered" !"
These orders mean, the one to Fremont announc-
ing his supersedure, and another to General
Hunter appointing him to the command
General Curtiss detailed Captain J. c. Nc
Kenny, Adjutant of the Second Iowa, as the
bearer of the dispatches. Captain McKeDny
was dressed in q secesh uniform, and carried the
dispatches and general pass from General
Curtiss in the top of his cap With complete
instructions as to his mode of procedure, Cap
tain McKenDy left ST, Louis on the morning of
the 3lst, Thursday, arriving at Rol!a at elk
o'clock in the evening. He left Rolla at eleven
P. M, and arrived at Springfield Saturday
morning at daylight, going through the lines
with the messenger Of the Express Company
Captain McKenny found every thing quiet, and
no "laying on arms" or apprehensions OF q
fight. He discovered that no battle had taken
place or victory won, nor was any battle going
on. He then made diligent inquiry of Feder-
al soldier. who, taken prisoner by Price, at
Lexington, had been released in exchange, and
being the bearer of 1ng of truce from Ere
mont to Price, and had returned from his errand
the evening previous Tho soldier replied:
"The enemy are forty miles distant from Spring.
field, below Cranes Creek, toward Cassville." F."
The Captain inquired: "Do you think Price in.
tends to make a fght7" Answer: "Think he
will, but ne is going TO select his own grounds"
The Captain then inquired of Colonel Richard
son, in command OF the Missouri scouts, and a
number OF Others, all corroboratiDg the state
ment OF the soldier, that the enemy were fully
forty miles away. Adjutsnt McKenny was full
ly Satisfied that General Fremont was "not in
the immediate presence OF the enemy, about to
give battle" He then repaired 10 headquarters
to deliver his orders Approaching the senti
nels he was informed that all messages, etc
for the Major General must be delivered
through Colonel Eaton, his Adjutant General.
Captain McKenny called on Colonel Eaton, who
after long delay, gave the Captain an audi
ence. Colonel Eaton inquired: "What is the
nature Of the information you have for Genera
Fremont" The Captain replied: "My infor
nation is for General Fremont alone" Colo
mel Eaton went in, and for some time had O con
versation with General Fremont and upon re
turning demanded of the Captain that the infor
nation should be impaired to hIn, aud received
the reply: 81 tell you, sir, distinctly, that m!
information is for General Fremont alone."-
Colonel Eaton returned to the General, and af
ter brief interview the bearer OF dispatche
was admitted. Il was now about ten O'Clock i
the morning. The General was standing nee
the fireplace, apparently agitated. Alter salut
ing the General, the Captain said: "Generi
Fremont, my name is McKenny. have dil
patches for you" The General made no reply
but seizing the dispatches, hastily tore open th
envelope, and with increased agitation read th
order, deep flush crimsoning his face, whil
his entire frame trembled with nervousness :
After reading the order, the General, wit
much violence, threw the ''seal of his destiny
on the table, and with sternness accosted th
Captain: "Sir, how did you get admission int
the llnes2"
Captain MeKenny-"Gen came throug
with the express messenger"
General Fremont-"Did you have pas
siri"
Captain McKenDy-" None, cir, except gel
eral pass from General Curtiss"
General Fremont (pacing the room)-"Yo
can retire, sir, for the present"
Colonel Eaton was summoned to the General
presence, and the bearer of dispatches retire.
Fearing that General Fremont would not al
nounce his supersedure, the Captain immed
ately informed General Sturgis, Major Thra
(Surgeon), and others, Of General Fremont
removal, and General Hunters promotion
the command, adding that he was the bearer
the dispatches. Just as he had concluded CO
onel Eaton emerged from the Generals roor
and taking the Captain aside, said: "On beha
of the Major General, you are requested not
make known the supersedure of General Fl
= mont for the present, for certain reasons. IT
|. Major General feels hurt at general Curtiss f
= sending the dispatches of such magnitude by
}. civilian. The General and myself suppose
8 from your dress and appearance, that you h
g important information from the enemy" Ca
y. tain McKenny replied, "No, sir, l am an Of
Ger of the United States Army" and then G
= en- the bearers rank and title.
= The Captain then remarked to Colonel Eat
l. that he had important dispatches for Genei
Hunter, and must have transportation and
pass through the lines. .s 1888
Colonel Eaton replied: ~ can not pass q
one through the lines, nor will General Fremc
Issue pass to any person. The General
greatly surprised that you effected a passa
through the pickeis when he had given str
and positive orders not to pass any one exc
on his special order. may be able to sent
. man to pass you ont"
!. Captain McKenny-"That will do"
10 It now being evening, Colonel Eaton int
duced Captain McKenny to Colonel Wood, "
was to furnish transportation. Colonel VIZ
went to zee Colonel Richardson, and did
return until about nine O'Clock, when Capt.
IL McKenny inquired about the transportatit
In q clustering and excited manner Colo
Wood replied: "I did not understand that J
wanted IL tonight" and being assured by
i Captain thashe wanted it Immediately, Colo
= Eaton, who had been sent for, answered: "'
az doubt our authority now to Issue your ira
nd portation, as General Fremont has turned o
his command to General Hunter, as you
nS ,n see by this circular" which the Colonel /
Ia. duced. Colonel Eaton added that he had
M information where Hunter was, but huppo
ms he was on the Buffalo R ,ad, and that c
,re of General Fremont's circular had been alre
sent to General Hunter, which copy Gem
Hunter never received. After the first apl
M M to pass through the lines, Colonel Eaton
Ind General Fremont, ana returned with an ans
rs, that the General was passing no one thror
A second appeal the Captain found equ
" fruitless, and concluded to try another metl
He called upon Colonel Richardson, and m
IT. known his business, and the efforts being m
r., to prevent him from going through the Ii
Colonel r. furnished the Captain two ho
|, and guide, and the two started at elt