The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-04
Shameful Policy:

We think all will agree with the Chicago
Post, that the conduct of the Western cam>
paign has been most shameful. While the
Post does not attempt to place the fault any,
where, nor seek to hold any particlar person
responsible, the editor says the country will
admit that gross Encouragement has marked
every step of the war in the West. In an
article" reviewing the campaign in Missouri
the Post says: Lyon started off an expedi~
ton that if successful would have ended the
war in Missouri. He left word where rein
forcem ents should join him; his plan was
admirable; he performed his duty well; he
waited for the achievements long after the
appointed time, but they never were sent,
and he and his gallant force were sacrificed:
Not only was this unnecessary sacrifice
made, but the door that Lyon was seeking
to close was left open to the enemy, and he
entered in force and has rioted all over Mis-
souri, ever since. Had five thousand men
been sent to Lyons aid in time, Missouri
would have been at peace now. And so it
has been ever since. A month ago Lex
ington was beseiged, and Col. Marshall and
six companies of the First Illinois Cavalry
was sent to relieve the city They had
proceeded but short distance when. word
was sent back that infantry was needed.
Then Muligan was sent forward. From
that time to the present, with full knowl-
edge that the rebels had only abandoned
the seige until reinfor ced, Lexington and
its little band of defenders have been left
to their fate. For week the city had
been beseiged; and though only forty
miles from railroad station, the Govern
ment had been unable to send man or a
gun to it's aid. On the first of September
the authorities knew that Lexington was in
hourly danger of being attacked on the
first of September the proper officers knew
that Muligan had but few cannon, and
was able at any moment to be cut off from
river communication, yet not until the
Goth, when he had been week beseiged,
was there the slightest move to relieve him.
For an entire week he was left alone. Dali
ly and hourly the sound of the canonading
was heard at Bonneville and other points,
and yet no relief was sent. All this time,
within twenty fonr hours journey, an army
of thirty thousand men stood unemploy ed.
Pope, Sturgiss, and other brigadiers were
scattered with small forces over the State
but none could reach Lexington. A dozen
brigadiers are dancing around st. Louis,
and regiments upon regiments were ready
at moments notice for duty, but from the
18th of September until the 22d, not SOL
der left st. Louis to aid or succor the dis
tressed and worn down band of heroes, fght~
ing without water at Lexington!
And now, we have the result-the natu-
raj and inevitable result-Lexipgton has
been taken /; the camp, stores, arms and all
Of the Union troops have fallen into the
hands of the rebels. The effect upon the
public, produced by this disaster, will be
serious and damaging. The army will lose,
and justly lose, confidence in the military
administr alton that permits its men to be
sacrificed and cut off through neglect. Un-
less this be changed, unless there be less
laundering in the index and more action,
the people as we'll as the army will rise, and
demand that the war be put into hands
competent to conduct it.