Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-09-26
General Fremont.
lFrom The 81. Lom. pemoerut.


With his heroic energy and almost magi-
cal efficiency, since he arrived 10 take CON-
mand of the Military Department Of the
West, the country Is familiar. Yet, neither
the magnitude Of the task assigned him, nor
the difficulties confronting him, seemed to
have been generally understood The fail |
iure of many to appreciate them has. doubt
less, given rise To much dissatisfaction that |
ought not to exist. He had Department.
vast portions Of which were to be conquered
from strongly entrenchel enemy. lie had
not merely to assure Missouri to the Union,
but restore TO it the Seeded States of the
Mississippi valley to the Gulf His plan
could not he narrowed to meet the urgent
needs of Missouri alone. While it inclu
ded these, it must temporarily subordinate
many OF her immediate interests to the grand
work before him. For this work all the
means were to be created. Recruits had to
be gathered, drilled, organized into armies,
disciplined, and furnished with munitions
camp equipage, provisions, &c.,. while the
most of the material and inen were to be
brought from other States Fremont found
almost everything remaining to be done. =
Lyon had accomplished much, aud most
nobly for he had averted immediate and
imminent peril and had saved st. Louis
and other points as base Of military opera
tions. The great task, however, was still to
be performed and the three months vol
unteers were justapproaching the expiration
| of their term. The enemy was mastering in
formidable numbers, and mcnacing several
important posts at once. No man ever more
thoroughly and sagaciOusly studied his po-
sition, or exerted himself with greater effcc-
tiveness to discharge pressing and moue'.t
/ . al. - Al. Il.
tracing cxigencies Fremont has done.-
True enough, he has not yet swept the DOOM
| ed traitors from the land. His labors have
been the herculean ones Of swift and ample
preparation in the face ofthe yigilant enemy.
In three brief months he has effected what
4 most executive men would have regarded as
\ impossible to accomplish in less than six or
eight. The results will, doubtless, before
long appear in most palpable shape, which
all the world will recognize. In the mean
time, no friend Of the Union should fail to
1 do his utmost to strengthen the hands Of
the indetatgable Pathfinder. ''
1 No other name than this could have raj
lied the multitudes that have focked, and
are still thronging to our aid from Iowa
Wisconsin, Nebraska. Kansas, Indiana,
: Ohio, Illinois, New, York, and even New
England. d Everywhere men say, Let u.
, stand by Fremont in the West, for he doe
not know how to fail in anything he under.
g takes!" The confidence felt in him by pa
triOts is not greater than the dread Of hin
among the traitors. They have become pc
I culiarly wary and dubious of Missouri, ant
= vexatiously shy of Fremont S well appointe,
= and comparatively we'll disciplined troops. =
Especially his name "a tower.of strength
!. to the Union cause throughout Missouri
!, Kentucky and rsnlcssee, When his arlnie,
) move down the great valley as doubtless the
arc destined to do, tens Of thousands will
| welcome them as those Of the deliverer of tn
= West. .e.qre.i ysue.' mol, .oisa.. 5i
= Notone step thus far taken in the wa
a a has elected SO general andhcarty an approx
). al as the proclamation Of martial law in thi
. State The. step has been nlostc warlnl
! commended by patriots best acquainted wit
= her condition. The effects upon st. Loui
4 city and county have proved exccedingl
y salutary. Secessionism has singnlarly col
- lapsed here within the past few weeks 1t
,e remaining votaries go, about with droope
y heads and averted looks, thoroughly asian
!. ed Of themselves. The influence Of th
y proclamation abroad is discoyerable in th
- - consentaneous and enthusiastic indorsemer
q of il by the entire loyal press OF the coui
~ try, with scarcely an exception
" Within the past few days there are man
!. proofs that Fremont labors of preparatiDt
al though still steadilyleontipied, have, passe
~ into those Of immediately effective actiC
: ~ against the rebels. We expect. soon to lear
''l that the latter haye prudently retired,
,t been scattered before the charge ofour UniC
~ a0iffi Ii there are complaints Il T4efareacc
.s Gen. Fremont 8 course, they chiefly respe
80 80 points which seem to us Of minor impor
81 81 ance. 1t would not be strange that in Il
II multiplicity Of the details SOf his dopai
~ ment, errors and even abuses should occu
Z. Y, Il Is fair TO believe that upon "a present
10 tion Of the facts, the remedy will in eat
ra ~ such INSTANCE be promptly applied. Wh
y" au more Could be desired? Even il grave MI
az az takes could be alleged, they would wei
of little against the Incompatible value OF tf
hs mont well directed energy and comprshe
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