New-York daily tribune., 1861-10-30
THE WAR FOR the UNION.
REPORT IN GEN. FREhONrS CASE'
The Ad;utant- Generals 0bse1Va'i0N'
in Missouri.
Secretary Cameron's Visit to hen'u'Ay
and Indiana.
HARRISBURG, Pc, Oct 10, 1861.

nv If the West, but upon the interests OF the
whote country, requested you to take fuil no'es
.non ali points connected with the object OF my visit
AZ Won inform me that you have carefully complied
Nth NV wish, now respectfully request you to
submit your report early as practicable, In order
Chat the President may be correctly advised as TO the
admin stration of affairs connected with the Army OF
Very respectfully, your obedlent servant,
SIMON CAMERON
Secretary Of War.
Briu. Cen L. TuesAs, Adutan.. General, U. S. Army.
WAsBINGToS, Oct. q, 1861.
SiR: have the honor 20 submit the report re-
quested in your letter of the 10Th inst.
We arrived at st. Louis, as you are aware, at q
q. M, Oct. IL. After breakfast, rode to Benton
Barracks above the city. On the street leading 10
the camp passed small field work in course OF con-
ssruetion. Found the camp of great extent, with
extensive quarters, constructed Of rough boards.
Much has been said of the large sums expended IN
their erection; but some one mentioned that Gen.
McKinstry, principal Q1artermaster, who made the
disbursements gave the cost at Geo. II so, it was
iudicioue. The total cost should be aseertained.
Gen. Curtis was in command Force present, l4O
officers, 1888 men, principally detachments except
the LIST Iowa Cavslry--34 officers, 90i men-bayiDg
horses, but without equipments.
no difficulty in getting access to him, aud when lie
presented business connected with his command 1t
was attended to. Gen. Fremont, however, never
consulted him on military affairs. informed him
ef bis plans. Gen. Curtis remarked that while he
would go with freedom to Gen. Scott and express
his opinions, be would not dare to do SO to Gen.
Fremont. He deemed Gen. Fremont unequal to the
command of an army, and said that be was no more
bound by law than by the winds He considered
BAN to be unequal to the command of the army in
Missouri
After dinper, rode to the Arsenal below the city
Capt. Calender in charge. Garrison, for its protec.
tioD, under Major Granger, Sd Cavalry. But very
few arms on hand; a number of heavy guns de-
signed for gun-boats and mortar boats. The Captain
rs engaged in making ammunition. He said he had
heard that some person had a contract for making
the carriages for these guns that if So that he knew
nothing of it, and that it was entirely irregular,
be being the proper officer 10 attend to such work
This, in my opinion, requires investigation. He
expected soon to receive funds, and desired them
for current purposesi was fearful however mat they
might be diverted to other payments.
Visited large hospital not far distant from the
arsenal, in charge of Assistant-Surgeon Bailey,
g.S. A. 1t was filled with patients, mostly doing
we Hospital In fine order. and credit to the
vice. The Doctor had efficient corps Of assistants
from the Volunteer service, and in addition number
OF Sisters Of Charity nuses. God bless these pure
and dsinterested women!
Col. Andrews, Chief-Psymaster, called On me and
represented irregularities in the Pay Department,
and desired Instructors from the Secretary for his
nh bat ba
payments and transfers of money contrary to law
and regulations. Once, objecting 10 what be con.
ceived an improper payment he was threatened with
confinement by file Of soldiers. He exhibited an
order for the transfer of 100000 to the Quarermas.
ser's Department, which was irregular. Exhibited
abstract of payments by one Paymsster Major
feiizer) to AZ persons appointed by Gen. Fremont,
viz: Colonel, Majors Captains, l5 lst Lieuten.
ants, IL ID Leutensnts, Surgeon, 3 Assistant Sur.
geons; total, AZ. Nineteen of these have appoint
ments as Engineers and are entitled to Cavalry pay
tSee exhibit annexed, No. ~ A second abstract OF
payments furnished, but not vouched for as re.
liable, the Paymaster was sick. 1t is only given
70 show the excess OF officers of rank appointed TO
the Major-GeneraPs Body-Guard of only 800 men,
the commander being a Colonel, &c. (See exhibit
No. p The whole number 6 irregular appoint.
ments made by Con. Fremont was said by Col. An
drews TO be nearly 200. The following is a COPY of
one of these appointments:
"HEADouARrsRs WKsrxRs Dsp.pryvxr
ST. LoUrs, Aug q. 1851.
employed n the Land Transportson Department. and VIII
report for dp'S at KRsM6Sq tssss Ma6SssSq9nstsrs
To Captain FELIX VooEI, present"
tSee Exhibit, No. 81
also saw a similar appointment given 10 an
individual on Gen. Fremont's staff ss Director Of
Muse with the rank and commission Of Captain of
Engineers This person was musician in theater
IN 81. Louis. Paymaster Andrews was verbally in.
s'rueted by me not to pay him--the person having
presented the two papers and demanded bis nav.
Col Andrews also stated that these appointments
bore one date, but directed payments in some cases
month OF TWO anterior thereto He was then with.
out funds, excepting small amount.
The principal Commissary, Capt. Haines. had no
outstanding deb,s. He expected funds soon
Major Allen, Principal Quartermaster. had ys,e,,.
'y taken charge at st. Louis, but reported orsa,
irregularities in bis Department and reme.tsd
special Instructions. This he deemed imuortan, -,
orders We're communicated by variety of persons
'n an irregular manner, all requiring disbursements
oi money These orders were frequently given
verbally See Exhibit No. ~ He was sending.
hder Gen. fremouts orders, large amounts of forage
nom ST. Louis to the army at Upton, where corr
was abundant and cheap. The distance was l60
nies. lie stated the indebtedness of the Quarter.
masters DePrtmen; a, St. Louis 10 be a. i06
I09 73-l0O ''''''
4" regard 10 The contracts Without an examina- +,
'on Of The accounts 1t will be difficult to arrive at
Dc iaes. 1t is the expressed belief of many u,ell.
ent gentlemen in st. Louis that Gen. Fremont has