M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1861-11-28
SflisteIIaueous.
ROMANCE OF THE WEST.
The Adjutant Generals Observations in
Missouri.
SECRETARY CAMERoN's VISIT TO
KENTUCKY AND INDIANA.
HARR1sBURGH, Pa, Oct. 19, 1861

/
tigation might (as | at first apprehen-
ded have an important effect, not
only upon the Army Of the West, but
upon the interests OF the whole coun
try, requested you to take full notes
upon all points connected with the
object of my visit. AS you inform
me that you have carefully complied
with my wish, | now respectfully re.
quest you to submit your report as
early as practicable, in order that the
President may be correctly advised as
to the administration of affairs con-
nected with the Army OF the West.
Very respectfully,
Your o0edient servant,
SIMON CAMERON,
Secretary Of War.
Brigadier General L. THOMAS, Adju
tant General, U. S. A.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 1861.
SIR: | have the honor to submit
the report requested in your letter Of
the 10Th inst.
We arrived at st. Louis, as you are
aware, at q A. NJ, Oct. II. After
breakfast, rode to Benton Barracks,
above the city. On the street lead =
ing to the camp passed small field
work in construction. 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 General McKins-
try, principal Quartermaster, who
made the disbursements, gave the
cost at $4,000. Ii SOFT was injudic-
ious. The total cost should be ascer.
ttained. zen. Curtis was in command.
Force present, 140 officers, 1888
men, principally detachments, except
the First Iowa Cavalry-3+ officers,
904 men-havirg horses, but without
equipm eDts.
Gen. Curtis said of Gen. Fremont
that he found no difficulty in getting
access to him, and when he presented
business connected with his command
it was attended to. Gen. Fremont,
however, never consulted him on
military affairs, nor Informed him oi
his plans. Gen. Curtis remarked
that while he would go with freedom
to Gen. Sect ard express his opinions,
he would not dare to do so to General
Fremont. He deemed Gen. Fremont
Unequal to the command of an army,
and said that he was no more bound
by law than by the winds. He con.
sidered him to be unequal to the com.
mand Of an army in Missouri.
After dinner, rode to the Arsenal
below the city; Capt. Calender in
charge. Garrison, for its protection,
under Major Granger, 3D. Cavalry
But very few arms on hand; a numb,
er of heavy guns designed for gun.
boats and mortar boats. The Captain
is engaged IN making ammunition
He said he had heard that some per-
son had a contract for making the car
riages for these guns; that if SO, that
be had heard nothing of it, and that
it was entirely irregular, he being the
proper officer to attend to such work.
This, in my opinion, requires invest.
igation He expected soon to receive
funds, and desired them for current
purposes; was fearful however that
they might be diverted to other pay
ments. . IT,. .-
Visited a large hospital not far dis.
ian. from the arsenal, in charge Of
Assistant, Surgeon Bailey, ., s. A.
1t was filled with patients, mostly do.
ing well. Hospital in fine order, and
a credit to the service. The Doctor
had al efficient corps Of assistants
from the Volunteer service, and in
addition number OF Sisters Of Char
ity as nurses. God bless these pure
and disinterested womenl
! Cox. Andrews, Chief Paymaster,
called on me and represented irregu-
larities in the Pay Department, and
desired instructions from the Secreta
ry Of his Government, stating that he
was required to make payments and
transfers Of money contrary to law
and regulations. Once, objecting to
what he conceived an improper pay.
inent, he was threatened with con.
tinement by a file of soldiers. He
exhibited ar order for the transfer o.
500, 900 to the Quartermasters De-
partment, which was irregular. Ex-
hibited abstract of payments by one
Paymaster (Major Felizer) to 40 per-
sons appointed by Gen. Fremont, viz:
1 Colonel, 8 Majors, 9 Captains, Is
1st Lieutensnts, II I'd Lieuieuants, l