The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-30
The Contemplated Military Changes In
tho Eastern anl Westcrn Deuartme nts.

Ac NAl1ltuTy OnNmKeS IN
the Eastern and Western Departments.
1t is announced by telegraph that Lieutenant
General Scott is about to relinquish the high
command he has SO worthily held in the army
Of the United States, and, in consequence of i'm
paired health and advanced age, to retire from
active military life. We also learn that the
President has decided to remove Major General
Fremont from the command of the Western
Department, and that his place will be taken
by more competent individual Although we
have frequently stated, on the highest authori-
ty, that these changes were about to occur, we
do not now give the intelligence as originating
with ourselves, but as the final and reluctant
tnually denounced our statement as false, and
rcvled the HERALD, with every conceivable out
pouring Of Billingsgate, for daring to tell the
truth upon the subject.
General Fremont was placed at the head of
the military department, second in importance
every one, and with prestige in his favor that
was nearly without parallel Without ex-
pressing any opinion of our own concerning
him to-day, we refer our readers to an article,
published in another column of our paper, from
the pen of Mr.. Thurlow Weed, written, as he
declares, after having thoroughly investigated
the entire matter. The public will see that
every statement that has appeared in the HER
AID, from the beginning to the end of the con-
troversy, is fully verified, and that the facts
and comments we have given have been far
within the boundary of justice. 1t is of COM
paratively small Importance now to inquire
whether Major General Hunter, who is already
in Missouri, will assume the position of which
Fremont has been deprived, or whether Major
General Halleck, who is daily expected
from California, will be placed at the head of
the Western Department. They are both good
confidence will be felt that they will either of
them discharge their duties worthily.
The retirement Of Lieutenant General Scott,
raises Major General Mcclellan to the position
of Commander-;n-Ch Chief of the armies of the
United States, unless the President should see
fit, which is scarcely probable, to appoint some
one else to that position. After the death of
Major General Macomb General Scott was
named his successor, over the head of General
Gaines, his senior officer, to the great dispeasure
of the latter, and it is fully within the compe-
tency of President Lincoln to adopt such pre-
cedent General Mcclellan has acquired, how
ever, so thoroughly the confidence Of the people
in the Eastern Department, that the position
which General Scott is about to leave, will, be-
yond a question, remain in his hands. The step
taken by the veteran COMMANDMENTS Chief, in
leaving the destinies of our armies with younger
men, is full Of patriotism and wisdom. He re
tires, with every honor which grateful people
can bestow for faithful services that have lasted
putaton which will never fade SO long as the
annals of heroism and military sagacity shall
continue to interest mankind. lie has attained
an age when physical inability precludcs the
possibility of experimenting operations in the
field, and he does wisely to leave the task he
has so long performed with renown to others.
1t is to be hoped that the country will not lose
by the step he has taken, and that his successor
will tread worthily in his footsteps by retir-
ing now, he leaves undimmed the lustre Of a
long and glorious reputation. Had he remained
longer in the army, he might have encountered
the fate Of so many who have retained political
and military rule, after age and infirmity had
impaired their activity, and sullied by errors of
their own or others the fame which is now SO
bright.