Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-10-10
The Fremsnt-RisirC Correspondents.

Inc ffemoUt~Sfatr Corresponde0Se.
The two letters appended are said to complies
the ccrrespopdence relating to the arrest of Col
Blair by Gen Fremont The first is a letter writ
ten by Adjuiant McKeever to Col. Blair, inform |
ing him Of his release from srrest, and, second,
the letter of Col Blair to Adjt Gen. Thomas at |
Washington, called ferth by some remarks In the |
former Communication concerning his conductin
relation TO this affair:
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT
H-s-. -.-s st. Louis, Sept 25, 1861. s
SIR In consequence OF a telegram from your
brother, Postmaster General Blair, followed by a
letter asking your release for public reasons the
commanding general instructs ne to say that you
ara hereby released from ares, and directed to
resume your sword and join your regiment for
duty.
he also directs me to inform you that, as per-
sonal matter this question has had no interest for
him; but when your family position was used by
you TO lay private letters, with unsustained accu
sations, before the President, disturbing the Pres
ident's confidence In the commanding general,
and seriously inlpairing the efficiency Ct this de-
partment, then IL became his duty to arrest you.
The commanding General, In directing your
release trusts to your sense of duty to- In future
avoid 30 evide Mt a breach Of military proprietY.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAUNcEY McKRRvER,
Assistant Adjutant General,
To Col. Frank p. Blair, Dr., First Missouri Light
Artillery, 81. Louis.
ST. Louis, Sept %, 1861.
Brig. General L. Thomas, AdjHtaHt General Of
ths Usited States Army, WdshiH gton city, d.
General 1 herewith enclose letter froR Capt.
MeKeever, Assistant Adjutant General, address id
TO me BY order Of Major General John G. FIRE.
mont, commanding the Western department,
which IL dated September "a, 1861, and was re-
ceived by me last evening.
You will observe that the letter orders my re-
lsess from arrest 1t alleges, In consequence Of
the request Of my brother, Postmaster General
Blair. and accompanies the order fer my release
with some structures upon ''the breach Of military
prophet" Of which il states have been guilty,
and states moreover, that the improperly consists
In using my "famy position TO lay rrivate letters
with uDsusained accusations before the President,
disturbing the Presidents confidence In tie com
handing general and seriously impairing the
efficiency of this department
feel myself constrained to say that have not,
in my opinion, been guilty of any act Of impro-
priety, but have performed my simple duty to
the government in the act to which the letter
Tsfers which was, moreover, done at the instance
of the President himself; and that am unwiI'-
ing, under any circumstances to shield myself
from responsibility by the influence or favor ei
any individual could no., without an utter
disregard for nv character officer and q
gentleman, permit the statement that had made
pHSEStdizsd accusations against the Command
ing General of this Department to pass without
notice, and therefore, as soon as the charges car
be made In form, I shall transmit them to you
through the proper channel, to be laid before til,
President; and, II he shall consider II expedien
To order q courtmartial, shall be prepared u
sustain the accusations | have made against tn
Commanding General of this DE- apartment
In the meantime, as Had myself and my mo
uves assalled In the puoiic press OF THIS city
which, under the military surveillance whic
eIgs In this department, could hardly have bee
allowed except by the sanction of the Commandin
General, and as my arrest and release without an
charge preferred against me has given rise TO In
putations upon my character as an officer, d.
mand a court Of inquiry to afford me an opPortr
nifty Of clearing myself from all stain In matte
which consider vital TO the honor Of soldie
and In which believe that have acted for Il
good Of the service alone
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANK p BLAIR, ia,
Col. First Regt. Mo. Light Artillery.