The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-11-04


publishes the Report Of Adjutant Genera
Thomas observations and conclusions il
regard to Gen Fremont's command
gathered in the recent flying visit made
by the Secretary of War and the Adju.
tant to Missouri.
The Adlutant General from his antece-
dents would not have been expected to
search for anything favorable in behalf OF
Gen. Fremont, and he records no single
act or movement on the part Of Gen. FIRE.
mont which meets his approval, nor sin
gle favorable opinion expressed of him by
any person on his travels. He makes q
very strong case against Gen. Fremont
and his official presentation of it to the
public through the press must necessarily
remain unanswered for the present at
least. If there be no ansper TO Be oiren
to it, the impression left on the public
mind must be that Gen, Fremont is fool
or knave, and the only wonder will be
that the American people and the Ad-
ministration itself should have ever been
30 stupid as to regard him as an honest
man of superior ability.
The first paragraph of the report speaks
of the extensive quarters in st. Louis
which somebody told Gen. Thomas that
Col Mckinstry had said cost SIS, 700,
which is regarded as not an extravagant
price. The second paragraph is as fol-
lows
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 at
tended to. Gen Fremont, however, new
er consulted him on military affairs, nor
Informed him Of his plans. Gen Curtis
remarked that while he would 90 with
freedom to Gen. Scott and express his
opinions, he would not dare to do SO to
Gen. Fremont. He deemed Gen. Ere
mont unequal tothe command Of an army,
and said that he was no more bound by
law than by the winds. lie considered
him TO be unequal to the command of the
army in Missouri"
Col. Andrews, the Chief Paymaster,
complained that there were irregularities
IN that Department, especially in the pay
ment OF SO many officers of rank i'm Gen.
Fremont's Body Guard of 500 men.
Gen. Thomas gives the expressed be-
lief of many citizens of st. Louis, that
Gen Fremont has around him aud in his
stat, persons indirectly concerned in fur
nishing supplies, &c. And, moreover, he
notices several instances in which rotten
blankets were furnished and high prices
paid for provisions, subsistence, &c.
Gen. Thomas reports that Gen. Ere.
mont pays Sc, 900 per annum rent for tn,
premises which he occupies in st. Louis
and that the barracks, though let on pub
hshed notice to the lowest bidder. ar,
rather more expensive than would be con
sldered necessary for temporary quarters
1t was intimate to Gen. Thomas tina
Fremont had sent his proclamation 1
lronton after the Presidents modification
and this dreadful offence is set forth q
much length, and is evidently regarde
as avery grave ofense; but, as the Pres
dent modified it only in one particular, v
fail to discover from our stand point Il
Nervousness of the offense charged.
The Adjutant General went to Tipto
and was satisfied from his observation an
the information obtained, that the arm
was insno condition to march in pursuit ,
Price on account Of lack Of means Of tran
portaion, &c. Gen Hunter stated tn.
although second in command, Gen. Fro
mont never consulted him, and moreover
"Gen. Hunter expressed to the Secrs
tary Of War his decided opinion that &c,
Fremont was incompetent, and unfit Fl
his extensive and important command
This opinion he gave reluctantly, for I'll
reason that he held the position Of secon
In command.
The opinion entertained by gentleme
OF position ana intelligence, who have a,
preached and observed him il, that he
more fond oi The ponp than OF the ste !
realities Of war-that his mind is incapab
OF flxed attention or strong concentrate
that by his Encouragement of afai
since his arrival in Missouri, the Sta
has almost been lost--and that If he
continued in command, the worst resnl
may be anticipated. This is the concu
rent testimony Of large number Of t
most intelligent men in Missouri"
The Adjutant General then gives col
of the order which he issued to Fremon