Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-03
GENERAL FREMONT.

John C. Fremont has been misuscd, and
chiefly through the influence OF Frank Blair,
Jr,, whose personal value is by no means equal
TO the principles he has represented in the
politics of St. Louis Blair has done himself
most injury in this affair, for he has Disguised
and aienPted most OF his Old friends in Mis-.
souri. Fremont has disdaned 10 defend him
self before the public, even indirectly and thus
allowed his ASSISTANTS an advantage to speak
for him. Hon. Morris Davis OF Pennsylvania,
recently visited st. Louis aud spent several
weeks there. A letter from Washington gives
the following account OF what he says in re,
gard to Fremont aud his command :
8" On tile Saturday preceding the seige Of
Lexington, 900 troops were ordered to Wash
ingtun from ST. Louis Gen. Fremont then
had in st. Louis but 1900 men, but he imme-
dlately sent ON two OF his best regiments. He
said as they lett, "The heart must he preserv-
ed, even il the eXtremities perish" The news
from Lexington caused him to decline sending
more, and Gen Scott sustained him.
The position OF affairs in Missouri, Mr.
Davis says, has been most embarrassing.
Gen. Fremont had not, up to week or two
ago at all events, more than one, half the force
the public supposed lie had. The fore,
necessarily scattered at way distances, could
not possibly be concentrated at any point
without weakening other positions as impor.
tant to be held
Gen. Fremont sent 5000 troops TO Padueah,
about 5000 to Birds Point, and lett some 5000
at Cairo, all being necessary to the Union
cause in Kentucky. lie begged the govern
ment to seize Bowling Green and occupy Col
umbus at the time Paducah was occupied. Had
~. Il, L.,
accomplished.
Mr.. Davis had an interview with the pres-
dent to day, when the president stated that his
confidence in Gen. Fremont was undated,
and that complete justice should be done him
by the administration. The tone OF Gen.
Meigs' conversation in St Louis led to the
belief that he was very tayorably impressed
with Gen Fremont, aud with the condition of
things generally in that quarter.
The St Louis Republican thus notices one
or two charges against Gen. FREMONT
"Another instance OF the utterly groundess
charges against him Is the statement that he
has involved the government III express ex-
penditures for the transportation OF guns, &C.,
amounting to S30O,00 when the truth is that
all the express bills he has incurred do not
reach $50, 600 just now, the telegraph brings
us complaints from Washington OF the high
prices plld fOr arms Before Oen. QTeIDOnC
left New York. lie procured from the govern
ment full arms Tor seven thousan men, but
after Manassas, whose arms were diverted to
Washington, and have never been replaced.
To this day lie has never received from the
government any arms except few heavy
guns. He was preparing raw army Tor the
| field to meet pressing emergencies, aud the
| very eXigencies of the case compelled him TO
| procure arms in smal quantities, wherever he
could find them, either in this city or else
where. Ot course he was unable, purchasing
in this manner, TO procure as favorable terms
as the government could il heavy contracts
with the manufacturers and it the safety OF
st, Louis Cairo and Paducah, were OF less
importance than a few dollars i'll the price Of
guns and revolvers, then these charges are
just, and General Fremont was wrong. Even
now, finding it utterly impossible to obtain
arms from The government for his cavalry, he
is having lances and pixies manufactured for
them by the mechanics OF St Louis and Gin
cnnaii."