Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-11-07


advanced, and with bis mnch superior force
laid seige to Lexington which was defende,
/ by Mulligan with 2, 700 men, on the 18th 0
September, and captured il in pine day
thereafter, on the 2lst of September.
Now, for the facts to show that this catas
tropbe could have been prevented, and Price
army destroyed before or after that disas-
trous affair. Before Price got to Lexington
the forces to resist him were the following
! At Jefferson City, $500; at Rolla, 600
along the Hannibal ard ST. Joseph Railroad
| about 5 600; on the western lne of Missouri
audsI Lane, down near Fort SCOTT. 2 200
! Mulligan's force at Lexington, 2700 &
large force in Illinois, along the Missipp
1 river aud on the lava line Outside of St
Louis were some II 600; in St. Louis itself
| l3, 900. Say, however, that there were only
| 10000 there. Hunters plan up to Sunday
| Sept %, was to concentrate from ST. Louis
Jefferson city and R.lla, also from the Han
nibal and St. Joseph Railroad. 10000 men,
and relieve Mulligan. lie said that il Price
was a soldier, Lexington was already fallen
bur with energy. Price could be captured,
with all hia baggage and plunder, The OBJ
lection to this that may be urged-that there
was no transportation lis an idle one The
railroad and. the Fiver we're at command and
the march from Sedalia was only forty five
miles long. The force could, Gen. Hunter
supposes. be thrown into Lexir gton by
Thursday, and, as it appears, before it was
taken.
General Fremont ordered Ssurgis in North
Missouri to Lexington and by crossing the
river TO reinforce Mulligan Sturgis had on
ly 100 men and on reaching the river OPP
posite the town, found it commanded by
Price, and of course was compelled 10 fall
back. Hunters plan OF moving these troops
was to strike the river at point below Lex
ington in our own control, to cross it. and
march up to the town. In the interview
with Gen. Fremont, the question was asked
whether any orders had been given to resin
force Muligan, a. the reply being given
in the negative Gen. Hunter suggested oE-
ders to Sturgs and had the order then
been given by telegraph he would have
reached tho river before Price had taken
possession of the North bank and could have
crossed. The order was not given until three
days after the interview The loss Of time
was fatal.
Mulligan was ordered from Jefferson city
then garrisoned with 5 900 troops. with only
one regiment, anG with that to hold Lexing-
ton until he could be relieved. When Lex
ington fell, Price had under his command
u, 900 men, and his force was receiving dai7
ly approximations from he disaffected in the
State. lie was permitted together much
plunder, and to fnll back toward Arkansas
unmolested. until was at Upton on the
18th Of October, when the accounts were
that he was crossing the Usage. Fremont's
order to march was issued to an army of
nearly 40 900, many of the regiments badly
equipped. with inadequate supplies OF anu.
nition, clothing and transportation. With
what prospect. it must be inquired, can Gen.
Fremont, under such circumstances, expect
to overtake retreating army, some one hun
dred miles ahead with deep river betweent
Gen. Hunter expressed to the Secretary of
War his decided opinion that Gen. Fremont
was incompetent and unfit for his extensive
and important command. This opinion he
gave reluctantly, for the reason that he held
the position of second in command.
The opinion entertained by gentlemen of
position and intelligence, who have appr oac /.
ed and observed him. is, that he is more
fond of pomp than of the stern realities of
war-that his mind is incapable of fixed at
tentien or stroug concentration-that his
mismanagement Of affairs since his arrival
in Missouri, the State has almost been lost,
and that if be is continued in command. the
worst results may be anticipated. This is
the concurrent testimony of a large number
OF the most intelligent men in Missouri.
Leaving Upton on the l3th, we arrived at
st. Louis on the same daY. and on the l4th
the Secretary of War directed me to issue
the following instructions to Gen. Fremont /:
ST. LOUIS, Mo. Oct. H. 1861 GENsRAL:
The Secretary of War directs me to commu.
nicate the following as his instructions for
your government
g In view of the heavy sums due. especi-
ally in the Quarter Masters Department. in
this ctv, amounting TO some $4, 500 900 it is
important that the money, which mny now
be in the hands of the disbursing officers, or
be received by them. be applied to the cur
rent expenses of your army in Missouri, and
these debts to remain unpaid until they can
be properly examined and sent to Washing
ton for settlement; the disbursing officers
of the army to distribute the funds, and
not trapsfer them to irresponsible agents
in other words, those who do not hold com
missions from the President, and are not TN
der bonds. All contracts to be made by the
disbursing officers TIE Senior Quarter
the SECRETARY as above.
1t is deemed unnecessary to erect feld>
works around this city. and you will direct
their dscontinuance also those, If ahy in
course of construction at Jefferson City
In this connection, it is seen that a number
Of commissions have been given by yeu.-
No rayments will be made to sucn officers.
except to those whose appointments have
been approved by the President. This of
course. does not apply to oti GERS with vels
unteer troops. Col. Andrews has been YER
bally so instructed by the Secretary also,
not to make transfers of funds, except for
the purpose of paying the troops.
The erection of barracks near your quar-
ters in this city to be at once discontinued.
The Secretary has been infoi med that
the troops ofGen. Lanes command are COM
mitting depredations on cur friends in Vest
ern Missouri. Your attention is directed to
this in the expectation that you will apply
the corrective.
Maj Allen desires the service Of Captain
Turnly for short time, and the Secretary
hopes YOU NAV find it proper to accede there
to,
have the honor TO be very respectfully.
Your obedient servent,
L. THOMAS, Adj. General,
Maj. Gen.--J, G.. Fremont, Commanding
Department of the West, Upton. Me-"
Instructions were previously given (Qct.
l2) to the Hon. James Craig to raise regi-
ment at St. Joseph. Mo.
We left St. Louis Oct IA, and arrived at
Indianapolis in the eyniDg. Remained at In