Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-10-11


rate move adopted in haste to make head
againsta formidable force which could not
not have accumulated except through
gross and inexcusable negligence.
Oh for one hour of our dead Lyon.
Many have been disposed to blame FIRE.
mont for not sending reinforcements to
Lyon, and thus averting the calamities
brought on by his death, and the aban-
donment of Springfield by his command
1t is very certain that ifhe had sent the
regiments to Lyon that he took to Cairo.
when it was supposed that place was
threatened, Lyon would have driven Nc
Cullough from the State. cannot say
whether the attack was seriously contem-
plated on Cairo that time or not; but l
am disposed to believe that the movement
by Mccullough and Pillow were intended
to be simultaneous and cooperate, but
Lyon should have had some part of the
achievements at any rate, and if he had
received two regiments his victory would
have been complete I undertake to say
if Fremont acted on them as he does
now, q was away and cannot speak on
that head he could not have informed
himself very accurately of the necessities
OF his position. The event shows that no
attack was made on Cairo, and it was
probably averted by the reinforcements
sent. If the same or one-half of the re-
giments had been sent to Lyon, we should
have had equally satisfactory results.
The views have given Of this matter
are facts becoming public opinion here,
and think the government should know
it. Probably youhave information which
will satisfy you that Fremont was to
blame If SO, the public here should
know it also, in ordor that the confidence
of the people should not be withheld from
the commanding general. could not
think, when | first returned here, that
any part of the blame could rest with
him, but my observations since have
shaken my faith to the very foundation.
There is one point which l did not re-
fer to in my letter, and which ! intended
to remark on, and that is the utter want
of discipline in the camps round and
about St. Louis. 1t is rehearsal of the
state of affairs in Washington before the
fight at Manassas, and will, am appre-
hensive, conduce to similar results.
brought these matters to Fremonts otten-
ton, but he put it aside by saying il
would not do to be too exacting at once
Our enemies at the door, and yet zoo ear.
ly to impart discipline to our troops .anC
keep them out Of the whisky shops !!
know that you aud l are both in som,
sort responsible for Fremont's appoint
mcnt, and for his being placed in com
maud of this department, and therefore
feel another and an additional motive to
speak out openly about these matters.
My decided opinion is that he should be
relieved of his command, and man Of
ability put in his place. The sooner it
is done the better.
have given you my opinion and the
ground for it, If the government knows
more OF his plans than / know-if you
are satisfied with them--then you can
burn this paper and say that | am an
ald,mia; you know, however, that am
not. No one has been more hopeful aud
confident than have been up to within
few days past. felt satisfied, on my re-
turn here, that affairs we're critical, but
that the success and elaticn Of the enemy
could be turned to good account, if the
proper steps were promptly taken. They
hare not been taken, and either the gov
eminent has failed to support Fremont as
he should have been, or he has failed to
apply the means at his disposal. Affairs
are worse than they we're two weeks ago,
and are getting worse every day. Sc
cession increasing, Union men driven out,
and the General, | fear, incapable of
comprehending bis 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 il, and the enc
my no power TO retaiate. Now they
are substantially enforcing against us the
substance of his proclamation outside of
St. Louis ana our garrisons. ! wantyou
to lay these things to your heart, and get
ready to apply the remedy before it is too
late.
will write you again very soon. /
hope | may have better news to give you.
| shall be but too happy if anything oc-
ours to restore my confidence in Fremont.
| am well-better than | have been for
eight months. Yours, affectionately,
FRANK =. BLAIR.