Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-10-10
tn. Blair and Fremont Quarrel.

IN the effect of its publicity. Col. Blair
o,me to the conclusion that Gen. Fremont
was not doing as we'll as he might, and
wrote to his uncle, the postmaster gen.
oral to that effect. This was read before
the cabinet, and gave rise to the rumor
that Gen. Fremont would be court-mar-
failed, superseded, &c. AS Col. Blair
wrote to his uncle. so he also talked pub
licly at St. Louis, and published articles
to the same effect in the papers, causing
doubt and disaffection in reference to his
superior officer, which was at least grave
impropriety in him; and therefore Gen.
Fremont had him arrested, q proceeding
which was justified by the army regula-
tons, but was giving too much impor-
lance to Col. Blair's conduct, and was
perhaps injudicious. Thus the quarrel
was nourished and grew apace till it had
caused general uneasiness and had only
stopped short of producing serious divis-
ion and generalization among the loyal
troops at the West.
The letter of Col. Blair to Judge Blair
was dated at ST. Louis, Sept. LIST. 1t
complains that Fremont is inaccessible, to
the disgust of those who seek intercourse
with him; that he disregards his (Blair's)
friendly warnings and listens to the Of
fcers who neglect their duty that he
might at least have sent two regiments to
Gen. Lyon, instead of sending all his
spare troops to Cairo that there was ut
ter want of discipline in the camp about
St. Louis. These are the charges of Col.
Blair in substance, and he expresses the
opinion that the government ought to su-
persede Fremont by an able man at
once Col. Blair says, near the close of
his letter -
a. felt satisfied on my return that af-
fairs were critical, hut that the success
and citation Of the enemy coul be turned
to good account, if the proper steps were
taken. They hare not been taken, and
either the government has failed to sup
, port Fremont as he should have been, or
he has failed to supply the means at his
disposal. Affairs are worse than they
were two weeks ago, and are getting worse
every day. Secession increasing Union
men driven out, and the general, | fear,
incapable of comprehending his position.
His recent proclamation is the best thing
of the kind that has been issued, but should
have been issued when he first came, when
he had the power to enforce, and the en-
envy no power to retalate. Now they are
Substantially enforcing against us the
substance If his proclamation outside of
st. Louis and our garrisons. want you
to lay these things to your heart. and get
ready to apply the remedy before it is too
late"
Mrs. Fremont was in Washington when
Blair's letter came, and wrote two letters
to the President requesting a copy Of it.
The President declined to furnish copy
without the consent Of the writer, but
stated that no impression had been made
on his mind against the honor or integri-
ty Of Gen. Fremont, and protested against
being understood as acting in any HOSTILE
ty towards him. The charges made by
Gen. Fremont against Col. Blair, on which
he was arrested to be tried by court mar
tial, were conduct unbecoming an officer
and a gentleman, in making the public
and private attacks on his commanding
officer, previously mentioned, in publish
ing articles in the newspapers defamatory
to Gen. Fremont. and accusing the latter
in the same articles of writing newspaper
articles in his own defense. Col. Blair
was released from arrest the first time at
the request of his uncle. But upon his
release he Immediately wrote to Adjutant
General Thomas, repeating his accusations
against Fremont. For this, and because
he declined to resume his sword and take
command of his regiment, then on its
march to meet the enemy, he was sec
ond time ordered under arrest. but was
Immediately released again by peremptory
order of Gen. Scott Thus the matter
stands Tor the present A substantial