The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1861-11-05
CIV FREMONT md 7HE COZ.
EgN.HE,NT.


erdment from his position a. Major Gen
essl and Commander ar ile national forces
IN Missoufi seems to be still ia da5itg.
Tor several weeks, ii fact almost ffom
the date II his appointment, Gen. Fremont
has been Ihc ol,iec, of scores and busy in
guenccs seeking lis disgrace and rain.
Whether these attacks cmauale from the
jealousy u interiors, from political prein
diecs, private animosities, or from actual
direlietions Of duty and incompcteney, is
not as yet evident.
The Government, rs Is wen known, has
recently despatched the Secretary Of War
on tour Of investigation. The worthy
Secretary was accompanied by Adj. Gen,
Thomas, WHO appears TO have had the la
boring oar ~ the expedition. Although
the embassy itself and il results were ey-
identity Of a secret nature, IN which the
character Of high official was TO be sub
jeelcd TO an &c parte espionage, yet the
report Of Gen. Thomas has At this carly
date been published, and its contents
spread before the American people.
Were the statements contained in this
report reliable and true, It would certain
~ disclose a state OF affairs which would
reflect strongly upon the competency and
even honesty Of Fremont But even a
casual examination Of this document viii
convince the reader that il is entitled TO
bot little weight in forming an opinion in
he matter.
Not to speak Of the report in detail, we
find among the charges preferred egainsi
Fremont, negligence in providing means
Of transport for the various divisions OF
his army. And again, another charge Is,
extrayngant prices for mules. We have
supposed ever since we read the rudimenls
Of political economy, that the price OF an
article was in great measure determined
by the demand for it, II is not difficult
matter TO reconcile and answer charges
such as these. Again, Fremont is cen
surcd for appointing officers in tie troop
composing his body guard. We are not
much informed in these matters, but had
supposed !, customary for those serving in
the capacity Of body guard TO have some
thing more than the pay on title of pri-
Yates. BE this as il may, the good judg.
mcm Of Fremont in organizing this troop
and in the selection Of those who compose
IL. is shown by the fact that when informed
Of the order OF the Government by which
they we're deprived Of pay, at least as Of
icers, they unanimously voted TO serve
during the war, pay or no pay Such an
instance of patriotism has scarcely ap-
pcarcd since the war commenced. II will
be remembered that il was his body, con-
tanning less than 800, whom the Govern
ncnt refuse TO pay as officers, who drove
from Springfield, BY desperate charge,
body Of rebels six or seven times more
numerous than their own force.
Gen. Thomas thinks that Fremont could
and should have reinforced Lyon and Null
ligan. We confess that on this point we
should be glad to have some explanation
from Fremont. Yet even here we do not
believe ,ha, Fremoni's course is ,olaroid-
baly reprchensible. Ii may appear that
the withdrawal Of reinforccments for
Springfield and Lexington might have en-
dangered Cairo, point Of greater import
ance. Lyon and Mulligan may have been
ordered 10 fall back and disobeyed orders,
or Fremont may have reasonably sup
posed them strong enough as they were.
The report Of Gen. Thomas bears on
its face the marks Of prejudice, il no, ma.
lcvoIsncc. /, is entirely an ex pdrte pro.
cceding, based almost entirely upor the
hearsay statements Of third parties, hastily
and earelcSsly collected.
On The ether side We have the frank
statement VI Fremont that be is unable
under the pressure Of Ais public duties Il
attend a, present 10 these accusations O
personal enmiy
II will be well for the Government 4
remember ina, no Officer in the army hai