Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-11-07
Report in Gen. FremOnt's Case.
The Adjutant-General's ohserva tions In Mis-
souri,
Secretary Calneron's Visit to Ken
lucky and Indiana.
HARRISBURG. Pa, Oct. 10, 1861.

HARRISBURG, Pa, Oct. 10, 1861.
GENERAL: When / did myself the honor
to ask you to accompany me on my Western
tour. it was with a view of availing myself
of your experience as Adjutant General of
the Army Finding that the result of my
investigation might as l at first appre-
hended) have an important effect, not only
upon the army of the West, but upon the
army of the whole country, 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 request you to
submit your report as early as practicable,
in order that the President may be correctly
! advised as to the administration Of affairs
connected with the army of the West.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
SIMON CAMERON.
Secretary of War.
Brig. Gen. L. THOMAS, Adit. Gen. U. S. A.
WASHINGTON, Oct 81, 1861.
| SIR have the honor TO submit the re-
port requested in your letter of the 10th
! inst.
We arrived at st. Louis, as you are
aware, at 2t a. m., Oct. IL. After break
| fast, rode to Benton Barracks, above the
city. On the street lea'iing to camp passed
small field work in course Of construction.
Found the camp of great extent, with extern
slve quarters, constructed OF rough boards.
| Much has been said Of the large sums ex-
| pended in their erection but some one
| mentioned that Gen. McKinstry, principal
Quartermaster, Who made the dishurse-
ments, gave the cost as $4,000. If so. it
was judicious The Total cost should be
ascertained. Gen. Curtis was in command.
| Force present, l40 officers, 1888 men, prin-
cipally detachments, except the First Iowa
cavairy-34 officers, 904 men-having
| horses, but without equipments.
Gen. Curtis said of General Fremont that
he found no difficulty in getting access to
! him, and when he presented business con-
nected with his command, it was attended
| to. Gen. Fremont, however, never con-
| suited him on military affairs, nor informed
him of his plans. Gen. Curtis remarked
that while he would go with freedom to Gen.
Scott and express his opinions. he would not
| dare to do so to General Fremont. He
deemed Gen. Fremont unequal to the cnm=
mand of an army, and said that he was no
more bound by law than by the winds. He
considered him to be unequol to the COM
| mand of the army in Missouri.
After dinner rode to the Arsenal below
the city Capt Calender in charge. GAR
rison, for it's protection, under Mai. Granger,
Third Cavalry. But very few arms on
hand; number of heavy guns designed for
gun-boats and morter boats. The Captain
is engaged in making ammunition lie
said he had heard that some person had a
contract for making the carriages for these
guns; that if 40, that he knew nothing of it,
and that it was entirely irregular, he being
the proper officer to attend to such work.
This, in my opinion, requires investigation
lie expectel soon to receive funds, and
| desired them for current purposes, was
fearful however that they might be diverted
to other payments.
Visited large hospital not far distant
from the arsenal, in charge of Assistant
Surgeon Bailey. U. S. A. 1t vas filled with
patients, mostly doing well. Hospital in
fine order, and credit to the service The
Doctor had an efficient corps of assistants
from the Volunteer service, and in addition
u number Of Sisters of Charity as nurses.
God bless these pure and disinterested
women.
Col. Andrews, Chief Psymastar, called on
me and represented Irregularities in the
Pay Department, and desired instructions
from the Secretary for his Government,
stating that he was required to make pay
lnent and transfers of money contrary to
law and regulations. Once, obiecting to
what lie conceived an improper payment,
he was threatened with confinement by a
file of soldiers. He exhibited an order for
the transfer of 100000 to the Quarter
masters Department, which was irregular.
Exhibited abstracts of payment by one Pay
master, Major Feizer) to AZ persons APP
pointed by Gen. Fremont, viz: Colonel, 8
Majors Captains, Isl Lieutenants, Ii I'd
Lieutenants, Surgeon, Assistant Sur
geons total ~. Nineteen Of these have
appointments as Engineers, are entitled to
Cavalry pay. A second abstract of pay
ments was furnished, but not yopched for as
reliable, as the Paymaster was sick. 1t is
only given to show the excess of officers of
rank appointed to the Major General Body
Guard of only 900 men. the commander being
Colonel, &C. the whole number Of irregular
appointments made by Gen. Fremont, was
said by Col. Andrews 10 be nearly 200.
The following is copy of one these ap-
"HEADoUARTERs WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
ST. Louis, Aug. %, 1861.
"SIR You are hereby appointed captain
of cavalry, to be employed in the Land
Transportation Department, and will report
for duty at these Headquarters
j. c. FREMONT,
MajorGeneral Commanding.
"To Capt. FELIX VoGEb. present."
/ also saw . similar appointment given
to an individual on General Frepont's staff
as Director of Music with the rank and COM
mission of Captain of Engineers This per-
son was musician in theatre in ST. Louis
Paymaster Andrews was verbally instructed
by me not to pay him-the person having
presented his two papers and demanded his
pay. Colonel Andrews also stated that
these appointments bore one date, but
directed payments, in some cases, month
or two anterior thereto. He was then with
ont funds, excepting q small amount,
The principal Commissary, Capt Haines,
had no outstanding debts. lie expected
funds soon.
Major Allen, Principal Qusrtermaster,
had recently taken charge at St. Lopis but
reported great irregularities in his Depart
ment, and requested special instructions.
This he deemed important, as orders were