Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-12-27
Gen. Fremont.


Chicago Tribune, under date of Decemhe
9Th, has the following in relation to Gen
Fremont. However painfal it must be t
believe that the Government has suffcien
grounds for its course towards this gentle
man, we cannot see how it could, with pro
priety, have retained him in command of ,
grand division of the army, while sucF
grave charges were laid against him, will
prinla tacia evidence that they would be
easily proved. Under the circumstances
we have always sustained the government
and still believe that extreme caution sho'd
| be used in all cases, before censure is in.
dulged towards men high in office, of un-
impeachable intentions and to say the least.
respectable abilities. We are frank to
say that thus far, we do not believe that
the administration has made single blum
der, which, considering the times and cir
cumstances, is high praise But to the ex-
tract:
"Gen Fremont has taken apartments
about midway between the Capitol and the
Executive Mansion. He has not reached
the city yet, however. 1t was reported
yesterday that he vas waiting for Con-
gressional delegation to 60 to New York
and act as bis escort or bodyguard. If he
be tarrying for this ceremony, predict
that be will not come at all, for | have
searched diligently to find one single
member Of either house who proposes to
defend him. That one is not to be found
Two or three members, who enjoy the con-
fdence of the country to large extent,
were on his staff in Missouri The most
that he can hope from them IS entire 81
lence. If Schuyler Colfax. his whoIe-soul-
ed friend and warmest defender, says a
word in his behalf on the floor Of the
House, he will surprise those who know
him most intimately. Mr, Colfax loved
not wisely, but too well /; yet I venture to
say that his sadness at finding bis idol to
be made of clay, is not more grievous than
that which once prevaded the Office of the
Chicago Tribune for the same reason
The fact is, the main items in the report
of the investigating committee Of Congress
have become public, fortified as they are
by the sworn testimony Of some 800 wit
nesses and by the handwriting of Gen
Fremont himself Such things as the fcl-
lowing are not to be defended by anybody
fit to be out of jail. The story of the St.
Louis Notifications has been pretty well
ventilated in your columns, that is, so far
as it went. Major Kappner bulls five of
the ten forts, at an aggregate cost of $50,
600. f. L. Beard, of the California gang
was paid $171,000 by Gen. Fremont's
written acquisitions on Gen. McKinstry,
on account Of the erection of the five 9th
ers, net in any degree more expensive than
Major Kappner's. Beard was paid at the
rate of twenty-five cents per gallon for els
terms, which cost Major Happier only two
and seven-tenths cents per gallon, and 9th
er items in the same proportion. The or
ders drawn by Gen Fremont on Quarter
master McKinstry were in about these
words;
Headquarters Western Department, !
St Louis, Sept, 1861.
You will please pay to E. L, Beard
$50, as I am informed by him that
that sum is required, and if not received,
be will be obliged 10 discharge large
number of laborers, ind the work On our
fortifcations will cease.
(Signed) JOIN G. FREEoNT,
Major General Commanding
To J, McKinstry, Quartermaster, .. s. A,
On the very next day comes another or
der from Gen. Fremont, in precisely the
same language, for $66,0Oo, but without
any date-the obvious Inconsistency of
diseharging largo number of laborers to-
day, for want of $66, when $4,000
was paid on their account yesterday, seem
ing to have impressed the maker of the
draft McKinstry, not having the money
at hand, endorsed the draft over to one of
his subordinates, and accidentally dated it
on the back. All the payments to Beard
were made in the course Of a single week !;
but Gen. Fremont ordered payment Of
| $1,000 to be made, FIVE days after he
had received Secretary Cameron's order
to discontinue the work on the fortifica-
tions and to make no more payments on
account Of them. Major Allen, on whom
this draft was drawn. refused to pay it
Therefore, though Beard got only Sill :
600 for bis five forts, he received Ere
mont's S written orders for 237, 900, or foul
times as much as Kappner got on an hon
est yet profitable contract for bis five. 1t
would be strange indeed if such acts OF
robbery and mutiny should find apologist'
in either branch of Congress. The report
of the Investigating Committee will b.
laid before the House some day this week
Chiefly to be pittied are Henry Ware
Beecher's flock, who recently gave thre'