Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-18

dayton the ty Of Jefferson with the dispatches to
Col. Davis, and if not IN officer of the army, he
could leave the dispatches there, and call and see
him, the said Major General John C. Fremont, on
the next day; thereby the refusal to see Captain
Willard, and receive the information which be was
prepared to give. the public service was deeply In
cured; that the succor demanded IN the dispatches
sent by Col. Mulligan TO Col Davis was not sent,
and Col Muligan, with all his force at Lexington in
Stateaof Missouri. were captured by the enemies
Of the United States Government
CHARGE 2.-Disobedi6nee of Orders.
Specification DIN tins, that the said Major Gen
John G. Fremont, when ordered by the Secretary
of War about the Sd day of July, 1861 to pro-
coed to the city of St. Louis in the State of Missouri
from the city Of Washington in the District of Co
lumbia, did not and would not comply with said
order; bat in disregard thereof went to the city of
New York, and there remained until or about the
Esd day of July, 1861 to the great neglect of the
duties belonging to his department.
Specification (2)-On the 3Oth day of August, 1861
the said Major General John c. Fremont issued the
following proclamation
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT.
ST.. LOUIS, No.. August 80
Circumstances, IN my Judgment, of sufficient mr.
gency, render it necessary that the Commanding
General of this Department should assume the al.
ministrstive powers Of the State.
Its disorganized condiSon, the heplessness of the
civil authority, the total insecurity of life and the
devastation of property by bands Of murderers and
marauders who lntest nearly every county in the
state, and avail themselves of the public misfor
tunes and the vicinity of hostile force TO CRAFTY
private and neighborhood vengeance. and who find
an enemy wherever they find plumber, finally de.
mand the seVerest measures to repress the daily in
ereaslng crimes and Outrages, which are driving off
the Inhabitants and running the State
In this condition the public safety and the sucS
cess OF our arms require unity of purpose without
let or hlndrance, to the prompt administration of
affairs
In order, therefore, TO suppress disorders to
maintain as far as nov practicable the public peace
and to give security and protection to tue persons
and property of loyal citizens, | do hereby extend
aud declare established martial law throughout the
State of Missouri.
The lines of the army of occupation in this State
are for the present declared to extend from Leaven
worth, by way of the post of Jefferson City, RolIa
and Ironton, to Cape Grardeau, on the Mississippi
river.
All persons who shall be taken with arms in their
hands within these lines shall be tried by court mar
tial, and, if found guilty, will be shot
The property real and personal, Of all persons in
the State Of Missouri who shall take up arms against
the United States, or who shall be directly proven
to have taken active part with their enemies in the
field is declared to he confscated to the public use
and their slaves, if any they have, are hereby de-
clared free men.
All persons who shall be proven to have destroyS
ed after the publication Of this order, railroad
Tracks, bridges or Lelegrap0s, Slau Su0eF the eX-
IRENE penalty Of this law.
All persons engaged in reasonable correspon-
dence IN giving or procuring aid TO the enemies of
the United States, In fomenting tumults in disturb
ing the public tranquility by creating and circulate
ing false reports or incendisry documents, are, in
their own interest, warned that they are exposing
Themselves TO sudden and severe punishment.
All persons who have been led away from their
allegiance are required to return forth to their
homes. Any such absence without sufic cent cause
will be held to be presumptive evidence against
them.
The object Of this declaration is to place in the
hands of the military authorities the power to give
instantaneous effect to existing laws and to supply
such deficiencies as the conditions Of war demand.
But it is not intended to suspend the ordinary trbu
nails of the country, where the law will be admin
istered BY the civil officers in the usual manner,
and with their customary authority while the same
can be peaceably exercised
The Commanding General will labor yigilantly for
the public welfare; and his efforts for their safe
ty hopes to obtain not only the acquiescence. but
the active support of the loyal people of the country
J. c. FREMONT
Major General Commanding.
That on the - day of -, 1861, the President
of the United States ordered the said Major General
]. G. Fremont, TO modify the said proclamation so
as to make it conform to an act of Congress, en-
titled Gan act to confscate property used for insur
rectionary purposes" approved August 6, 1861,
which the said Major General j.. G. Fremont has
ever since failed, neglected and refused to do, in
disobedience of said order and in contempt of the
authority of the President of the United States
Specification (3)-That after the order aforesaid
of said President of the United States commanding
the said Major General Fremont modify his said
proclamation, he the said Fremont did, on or about
the 2lst day of September 1861 cause to be printed
and circulated large number Of his pFoclamations
in original form, contrary to the order of the Pes
ldent of the United States and in contempt Of his
authority.
CHARGE 3-Conduct unbeoming an officer aad
gentleman.
Specification (D-In declaring to Oliver q. FYlley,
IN or about the first of September, 1861, after he
lad appointed the said Edward Il. Castle, that he
lad suspended said Castle from said appointment
when in fact he had not suspended the said Castle
Ind said declaration was false.
Specification (2)-In letting out to Leonidas Has
1el government contract for 5000 mules to be
purchased by the said Leonidas Haskell, who was
contractor Of the government appointing him.
he said Leonldas Haskell to place on
he staff of him, the said General John C. Fremont
o the common scandal and serious detriment of the
eFvice.
Specification (3)-In countenancing and encour.
Iging officers and priVates of the army und3r his
to write letters to public newspapers, in
,raise Of himself, and in denunciation of all who
Uttered from him.
Specification (4)-Ia suffering and countenancing,
md not prohibiting. officers and priv ates of the
rmy under his command from holding meetings in
heir eGmps, and passing resolutions adulatory of
himself, and publishing the said resolutions. con-
rary to army regulations 20, and in contempt and
disregard thereof.
CHARGE 4-GrOss extravaganza, waste, mismau-
cement, and misappcatiOn of the public moneys.
Specification DIN this, that he has surrounded
himself with men of disreputaLle character, his
Ormer dependents and hangers-on from the State
f California, with whom he was connected in bus
ness. and with whose character and reputation for
rauduledt dealings be vas W. II acquainted, and has
Bestowed upon them large contracts and jobs for
upplies for the army and for making Notifications,
nd for other expensive and unnecessary works,
Without advertisement, bidding, or competition,
Whereby the Government Of the United States has
zen despoiled, the soldiers delayed in receiving
heir pay; and his own attention and time absorbed,
o as 10 prevent him from attending to the great
york If which he was apprised by the Govern
lent of the United States.
CHARGE 5-Despotc and Tyrannical Conduct.
Specification DIN this, that he issued an
legal order on the - day of September, 1861, for
iddiDg oficers of the army from corresponding |
With officials of the State and other Governments
the end that his errors might not be exposed ald
is conduct controlled By his superiors, Whersoy |
be Government of the United States and II. peO- |
lie have sustained great detriment.
Specification l2)-In this, that he ordered pub
journal in the city of ST. Louis, State of Missouri
allied and known as the Evening Meas, tn be sup
resse1, and its proprietor to be arrested and in
risoned for a fair and just criticism upon his con-
uct. although he well knew that said newspaper
sd always given iair and loyal support TO the
ioYernHent of the United States and its only crime
vas IN making public his errors Of judgment and /
to command in this department.
Ihave the honor to lay before the PRESIDENT of |
be United States the above charges and speeiGca-
ions against Major General john G. Fremont, cenl-
handing the Department of the West which are |
submitted for the Presidents consider
ton. Respectfully,
%RANE P. BLAIR JR.,
Col. First Reg't No Light Artillery.