The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-01
are vacant for the want of tenant at five

establish body guard of three hundred
picked men, which was done without regard
to the tender feelings of Uncle Sans treas
ury. These men are mounted on the finest
steeds the country could furnish, and each
guard has q uniform more costly than
Brigadier Generals. 1t is said that the
caps cost from twelve to fifteen dollars q
piece. If you have no conscientious scru-
pies against bettin, ! will wager you pair
of premium boots that honest Old Abe
never wore hat in bis life that cost over
FIVE. The General never leaves the palace,
not even to 60 half dozen squares, with.
out being accompanied by bis body guard.
Prince Napoleon while here called upon the
General, and rode 10 the palace in com.
mon hack, unaccompanied by any save one
of his suite. The call was promptly re-
turned by the General, surrounded by his
entire body guard, much to the amusement
of the boys, and the obstruction of the pub
lie highway. an
GEN. FREMoNT's LOVE FOR STEAMBOATS,.
Another circumstance will serve to illus
trate the love of show so predominant in
our general: You have heard Of the feet of
eight magnificent steamers chartered by the
general to take him and part of his COM
mand to Cairo. Three would have taken
the entire force, but eight was deemed me-
cessary to make an imposing display. and
astonish the natives who inhabit the log
cabins on the Father of Waters.
The fleet was anchored opposite the city,
and only awaited the presence of the gener-
al to start upon its mission. A carriage
1.-THE identical ore that conveyed the Prince
of Wales through our streets) drawn by
two black horses, was sent to the palace for
the general, but the turn .out did not COM
port with the dignity of his position, and
an order was Immediately sent to the livery
stable for two additional horses of the same
mettle and color, which was promptly com.
piled with, and his Excellency drawn to the
boat by four gay chargers.
These exhibitions of personal vanity
might, to some extent, be overlooked if the
expense was borne by the General, but, I'm =
fortunately, the bill was to be footed by
Uncle Sam. who, you know, is by no means
as flush as in former times; indeed, it is even
limited that, at times, the old gentleman is
little short for market money.
GENERAL FREMoNT's sECLUsIoN.
Another peculiar trait of the General will
also serve to illustrate his character and
fitness as military leader. l allude to his
almost invariable habit of secreting himself
from the public eye, even to the exclusion
of the most prominent Union men of the
West, who cali upon him to lmpart valu BILE
information. General Fremont came here
totally ignorant of the character and mag
nitude of the rebellion in Missouri. If lam
not misinformed, he had not been in the
State for fifteen years. Under the circum
stances, prudent and sagaciOus general
would have freely advised and consulted with
prominent men from different localities, and
gathered the information which be needed,
and which was so essential to his success.
But not so with General Fremont, for be
closed bis door against all such intruders,
and if any succeeded in reaching bis august
presence, it was through the grace of God,
and the special presumption of the generals
staff.
GEN. FREMONT's TREATMENT OF GOV. GAMBLE
AND HON. JOHN 8. PHELPS. .f.
A few examples by way OF illustration /:
Hamilton r. Gamble, our present Provi.
sional Governor, is an emiaent lawyer, of
large wealth, and commanding influence
throughout the State. Though Wing in
principle, be was elected by an overwhelm-
ing vote of the State as Judge of our Su-
preme Court, and by his judicial associates
selected as the presiding justice. Subse
Quently be was elected delegate from this
county to the Convention called by the Sc
cession Legislature to drag Missouri out of
the Union. Judge Gamble became the
prominent mao vi the Convention, and, by
reason of bis we'll known loyalty and admit
ted ability, was selected by the Convention
as the Provisional Governor. AS Governor
of the State, be deemed it his duty to call
on Gen. Fremont, with the view of efecting
a joint action on the part of the Federal and
State authorities in crushing the rebellion.
lie did call, and, after passing file of sol.
diers, reached the basement hall, where he
was permitted to stand until he could re-
ceive an answer to bis card An hour
elapsed-nO answer came, and the Gover.
nor picked up bis broad-brimmed hat and
mnae hasty retreat to his hotel. The
Hon. John s. Phelps, now and for fifteen
years past member of Congress from the
Springfield district, in this State, and, since
the war, commander of q large Union Home
Guard, had valuable information to lmpart
to the general. He called at the palace at
~ P. NJ, and sent his card from the base.
ment hall. After waiting an hour the r.
ply came, stating that the General had re-
tired, but would see Major Phelps the next
morning at 10 O'Clock. The Major was
prompt to the appointed time, and, in re-
spouse to bis second card, was informed
that Major General Fremont was engaged.
GEN. FREMONT AND THE UNION MEN.
Now, you wonld hardly suppose that, af-
ter these rebuffs, any man, without bulls
dog courage, would have ventured on sim
liar experiment; but men do not always
profit by the experience of others. They
have in New York, if not in your city,
swindliDg dens called mock auctions, and
80 pestiierous had they become that the
Mayor detailed special policemen to stand
by the door with large placard in hand
upon which were printed in large letters the
words Beware of Mock Auctions" Yet,
Notwithstanding this precaution, many limo.
cent persons ventured in and were victim
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