Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-18
.EEEE EnHasOaE Anp B.AIa InnaoaL10
Col. BIair's Charges ana Specifications
against Fremont.
OOLOEEL DEAm's LETTER TO ADJUrASr GENERAL. rHoHls

COLONEL BTAIRs LETTER TO ADJUTANT GENERAL THOMAS.
ST.. LOUIS, Sept. &c, 1862
Brigddier General Thomas, AdJldont General U. S
Army Washington Gig, D. C.:
GENERAL: herewith enclose a letter from Capt
kckeever, Assistant Adjutant General addressed to
me by the order of MAJOR General John @. Fremont
Commanding the Western Department, which is da-
ted September "A, 1861, and was received by me
last evening.
You will observe that the letter orders my re-
lease from arrest as it alleges in consequence of
the request of my brother, the Postmaster General
Blair, and accompanies the order for release with
some structures upon "the breach of military pro-
priety," Of which It states have been guilty, and
states moreover that thu improperly consists in
using my famiy position to lay private letters with
unsustsined accusations before the President, dis
turoIng the Presidents confidence in the Command
ing General, and seriously impairing the efficiency
of this Department"
feel myself constrained to say that I have not,
IN my opinion been guilty of any act of improprie>
ty, but have performed my simple duty to the gov
ernment in the act to which the letter REFERS which
was moreover done at the instance of the President
himself and that am unwilling, under any circum.
stances, to shield myself from responsibility, by
the influence and favor of any individual. l could
not without.uIter disregard for my character an
GINGER AID gentleman, permit the statement-that
had made arnsuStdiaed accusations against the com
manolng Ggenerai OF this Departmental pass with
out notice and therefore soon as the charges can
be made IN form, shall transmit them to you,
through the proper channel, to be laid before the
President, and If he shall consider it expedient to
order acourt martial shall be prepared to sustain
the accusations have made against the Command
ing General of this department.
In the mean time, as l find myself and my actions
assailed in the public press of this city, which, IN
der the military surveillance which exists in this de-
partment could hardly have been allowed except
by the sanction of the Commanding General and
as my arrest and release, without any charge pre-
ferred against me, has given rise to imputation up
on my character as officer, demand court
of inquiry 10 afford ME an opportunity Of clear
ing myself from ell stain in matter which con-
slider vital TO the honor of soldier aud in which
believed have acted for the good of the service
alone.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANK ?. BLAIR, Jr.,
Col. First Regiment Mo. Light Artillery.
Upon this letter being made known to Gen. Ere
mont, the following order was issued for the Coils
rearrest:
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
St Louis, NO., Sept. &c, 1861.
Especial Orders No 26S
Col. F. p Blair, Jr., First Missouri Light ArtiIle-
ry, is hereby placed in arrest He will proceed
without delay to Jefferson Barracks, and report
himself in arrest to Lieut.. Col S. BurbaRk Thir-
teenth Infantry, commanding. 81
His limitS will be those of the post Of Jefferson
Barracks.
By order of Major General Fremont.
CHAUNrE7. MfK rFJ-up