Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-11-27

II
The following interesting letter in reference to
the removal of Fremont and his conduct upon
the occasion is from the st. Louis correspondent
of the Cincinnati Enquirer:
ST. LOUIS, Nov. II, 1861.
To the Editor of the Enquirer:
In my last letter promised you the particulars
of General Fremon.'s removal and his very sin
guar conduct The narrative which send you
is from the report of the bearer of dispatches,
Captain Mckinney, to General Curtiss.
On the 29th OF October, General Curtiss re-
ceived from the President, per Mr.. Sweet, for
mer law partner of Mr. Lincoln, an order from
Lieutenant General Winfield Scott, directed to
Major General John G. Fremont, " to turn over
the command of the Department of the West to
Major General j. Hunter, and TO report himself,
by letter Immediately to headquarters at Wash
ington." Accompanying this order were instruc-
tons from the Executive to General Curtiss, viz:
"If decided rict0ry had been ICON, a substantial
battle and not mere skirmish going on, or If Gen
Fremont ,cas ia the immediate presence of the enc
n.y. and about 10 gire battle then these orders not
to be delivered" These orders mean, the one to
Fremont announcing his supersedure, and aDoth-
er to General Hunter appointing him TO the COM
mand.
Gen. Curtiss detailed Capt j. C. McKenny,
Adiutant of the ID Iowa. as the bearer of the dis
patches. Capt. McKenny was dressed in Sc
cesh uniform, and carried the dispatches and a
general pass from Gen. Curtiss in the top or bis
cap. With complete instructions as to his mode
of procedure, Capt. McKinny left St. Louis on
the morning of the 3lst, Thursday, arriving at
Rolla at o'clock in the evening. He left Rolla
at III p. NJ. and arrived at Springfield Saturday
morning at daylight, going through the lines with
the messenger of the Express Company. Capt
NIX onuv foupd avorv thnU ouiat nd M In vim u
on arms" or apprehensions of fight. He dis
covered that no battle had taken place or victory
won, nor was any battle going on. He then made
dilligent inquiry of Federal soldier, who taken
prisoner by Price at Lexington, had been releas-
ed in exchange, and being the bearer of flag of
truce from Fremont TO Price had Just returned
from his errand the evening previous. The sol.
der replied: 1.-The enemy are forty miles distant
from Springfield, below Cranes Creek, toward
Cassville." The Captain inquired: "Do you think
Price intends TO make fght?" Answer Think
he will, but he is going to select his own grounds I"
The Captain then inquired of Col. Richardson, in
command of the Missouri scouts, and number of
others, all corroboratiLg the statement of the
soldier that the enemy were full forty miles away
Adiutant McKenny was fully satisfied that Gen.
Fremont was mot in the immediate presence of
the enemy about to give battle" He then re-
paired TO headquarters TO deliver his orders.
that all messages, &C., for the Major General
must be delivered through Colonel Eaton, his
Adjutant General Captain McK>uuy called on
Colonel Eaton, who, after long delay, gave the
Captain an audience Colonel Eaton inquired,
What is the nature of the information you have
for General Fremont?'' The Captain replied:
"My information is for General Fremont aoneY'
Colonel Eaton went in, and for some time had a
conversation with General Fremont and upon
.ro1 of hat f1,e
formation should be impaired to him, and receiv-
ed the reply: Il tell you; sir. distinctly, that my
/ Information is for General Fremont alone.' Col.
Eaton returned to the General, aud after brief
: interview the bearer of dispatches was admitted.
/ Ii was now about ten o'clock IN the morning.
The General was standing near the fire. place. ap-
parenty much agitated. After salutng the Gen
eral. the Captain said: General Fremont. my
name is McKenny. | have dispatches for you"
The General made no reply, but seizing the dis
patches. hastily tora open the envelope, and with
increased agitation read the order. deep flush
crimsoning his ftce, while his entire frame trem
pied with nervousness. Atrer reading the order
the General. with much violence, threw the "seal
of his destiny" on the table and with stern.
ness accosted the Captain: "Sr, how did yon
get admission into these Iinesi'
Captain McKenny-"General. came through
with the express messenger.
General Fremont-"Did YOU have pass, ,siri
Capt. McKenny-''None, sir. except general
pass from Gen. Curtiss.'
Gen. Fremont (pacing the room)-"You car
retire, sir. for the present"
Col Eaton was summoned TO the Generals pres
ence, and the bearer of dispatches retired. Fear
ing that Gen. Fremont would not announce his
supersedure, the Captain Immediately informed
Gen. Sturgiss, Maj. Thrall (surgeon), and Others
Of Gen. FFemonts removal, and Gen. Hunter
promotion to the command, adding that he was
the bearer Of the dispatches. just as he had con
cIuded Col. Eaton emerged from the Generals
room, and taking the Captain asd. "On behalf o
the Major General, you are requested not 10 make
known the sunersedure Of Cen Fremont for tn