New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-03
GEN. FREMoNTs FORCE.

The Hon. SCHUYLER CoLFAx, in his last Register,
thus speaks Of The strength Of the opposing forces
and movements in Missouri fortnight ago:
We had not intended to allude publicly to some
facta that happen to be in our possession, but we
think the public interest VIII not now be eopardned
BY referring to them.
Fremont has had four Rebel armies in the field
against him, beside smaller divisions. Price threat
ening Lexington. with 5000; McCulioch threaten
ING Rclla and Jefferson CITY, with 1900; Uardee,
with an unknown number, threatening ironton;
Polk and Pillow, with $4,000, at Columbus, KY.
and with the United States forces at PsdueSh and
Cairo inferior in numbers to them. Beside these
are Martin Green, jeff Thompson, and others with
smaller armies, mainly drawn from Home Rebels.
la all not less than $1,000 have been IN the field
against him, "a large number OF them from Arkansas,
Tennessee Mississippi, and Iexas-lsaily as large
a number IA have been Threatening was ington, lot
the defense Of which the whole country has been
called upon for reGnioTcement,. Yet Mcclellan has
no, been subjected to the cruel charge Of neliclsn-
c.. p" and we are glad he has not been.
Beside clearing North Missouri Of the Rebels,
Fremont had the following points 10 defend: Lexing
ton Rolla the terminus OF the ). ". Branch of the
Pacific H. r. Jefferson City The capital, NJ. Louis,
Ironlon tile terminus Of the Iron Mountain x. r.
Bonneville Cape Giradeau ION the Mississippi
Tiyerl. Birds Point, Norfolk, Cairo, Fort Holt ion
the Kentucky eide of the river south OF Cairo, and
guarding the approach to ~, aud taducah, which
:
sec rivers. How large a force he has o. his COM
mapd To hold theRe points. ard also TO fight these
ryrosing armies we do not feel at liberty 10 state.
bgai5, IL II well known ~ st. Louis that he had
all bis plans laid some time since, Ter surrounding
aud capturing Martin Green, while in North Mis-
souri,. The in,oIication OF United States Brga-
itr.General frustrated them, and allowed bin 10
escape. Another movement was Immediately
planned, which by bold ard successful dash ia the
West would have probably broken up the Rebel
army on the Potomac, In their anxiety for their
homes. The Iegiments from Indiana and Niscon-
tin on wl ich be relied to swell the numbers Of bis
ataf king PARTY were Just at this time ordered East,
which ended that movement. Price then advanced
toward Lexington and the orders were already pre-
rared for the concentration OF sufficient troops 70 re-
enforce Mulimn, and capture the Rebel army.
Just then came tie order from Washington for
i've thousand Of his best armed and equipped
troons 10 be sent thither immediately, and they
cordinQly went East instead Of West. We know
what Eis feelings were when be received the order
We were there al the time, anc he said Washing
ton IL in danger, must be saved, even n the est Is
Lost and myseli destroyed B1. reeniorcemen,s
were ordered to Mulligan. Why those which leit
North Missouri by his orders, i've days before the
surrender, did not arrive 40 one a. yet knows.
Tbose which left Jefferson City two days before the
surrender on steamers, were compelled doubtless 70
proceed slowly aud cautiously up the river and the
messenger 70 Lane in kansasj may hot have reached
him.
We do not allude 10 these thing- as the apologist
for Cen. Fre.lont or any one else. Weare no mans
paItissn In this contest aud the officer who having
sufficient troops allows his comtrys cause TO be de-
feaed we would have displaced II he were our near
eat aud dearest friend. To show, however, now the
number of hi. troops has beeu exaggerated even
by those on the spot, would state that while We
were ia 81. I.ouB, two OF the highest provisional
state officers told as that there IOOOO troops in
the city. aud that half of them at least could be
spgred aud should be sent, with others from other
points. after Price So we ihought TOO, and 90 toli
the general lie handed the muster-ro Of all the
United States troops in and around st. Louis on that
dsy. numbering tarely 1900 composed OF two full
reoimsnts. aud a namber OF fragmentary ones After
that he received the order Tor troops 10 be sent TO
Washington,