New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-01
THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
FROM mTssOURx'

C,,e OF Gen. Mckinstry-Au Old
Fal.ehood BevsVihoc.
from Ouf 'f 81. Louls Tuesday Jan. %, 1862
The pubrc mind must he confused by the conflict
~, rerorts about Gen. Sigel. The following is the
sc,nal condition of his case, derived from the most
upouettionable authority The recent telegrapbic
abatement from this city that Gen. Sgel has 10 in
tention Of leaving the service understood to be
officially inspired; but it is not true. lie does not
wish to leave the army but feels that the manner M
which be is treated compes it. On The 3lst OF De-
cember be rendered his immediate and uRconditionsl
resignation and he bss neither Withdrawn Ii, nor
proposed to withdraw it,
Every one who knows Gen. Sigels peculiar modes
ty, his freedom from petty jealousy, and his unhs-
suming department both as an officer and gentle
man understands that he is not the man TO take such
n step without adequate cause. Important Official
communications from him to the headquarters Oh this
department have failed to elieitany reply. Regiments
have been diverted from him, which were organized
by bis influence and exerions expressly for service
under him. Officers have been appointed in one
regiment which was raised and organized entirely by
his efforts without asking his counsel OF sanction
Finally FIVE days after the command of the forces at
Rolla had been assigned to Linn, aud when he was
organizing discplining and preparing the troops for
the field he was suddenly superseded by Gen. Gurus.
Thereuron, lie sent in his resignation. In u subse-
uuent letter he advised Gen. HalleCk Of bis wiling
ness, .ohte his resignation 'caS pending TO retain
his position for the sake of the and the troops
under him, and that be might not dsarrange Gen.
Halleck's plsrs. To this Gen. Haeck replied he
was happy to learn that Gen. Sigel "wiShed TO re-
main in command of the Division" and the state
ment went abroad that Gen. Sigel had no intention
of leaving the service. 1t a strange misappre-
bension of his views, aud entire misstalement OF
his designs. lie Immediately corrected it, ID another
letter written to Gen. Halleck on the lAth nst'
Last Saturday, Gen. Sigel, who had come in from
his division at Rolla TO ,pend three days a; home
was informed by Gen. Halleek that this letter had
never resched him and upon searching, twas found
in the hands of the A6jutaut, at headquarters. he
also learned that Gen. Halleck had neglected to
forward shy OF the papers in bis case TO Washington
This explains the recent statement OF the President,
that he had no information on the subject, exc pit
that obtained from the newspapers. Gen. Sigel has
requested Gen. Haeck TO forward lis resignation at
once 70 Washington; and yesterday he returned TO
Rolla TO his subordinate command III Gen. Curtis g
expedition to await action upon it by the Govern
ment or the War Department. II IL deeply 70 be r.
GREETED that Gen. Halleek should not place higher
estimate upon the ability-the demonstrated ability
of Gen. Sge. 1t is lot strange, perhaps, that few
regular officers should oppose Gen. Sgel violently
for he was not born in this country not educated
at West Point and Whenever an opportunity i at-
for,ied lie does something and hurts somebody; but
OF course the Maior-General commanding great g.
partment must be above these petty jealouses. He
mus. know, however, that the Union refugees
from the Southwest, have untedi petition TO tue
President that our troops sent out to reoceupy that
country. NAV be led by Gen. Sigel lie must know
that the rebels dread Sige more than any other COM
,nander in this department. lie must know that
Sgel is peculiarly fitted 10 lead the expedition, from
having made three campaigns through that region,
under many difficulties, in which he became thor
oughly acquainted with .he country, the people, and
the peculiar tactics of Price. He must know the
belief lie almost universal among loyal citizens that
If Sigel were placed at the head Of ten thousand
men, and let out, he would keep Southwest Mis-
sour purged Of rebels and bring quiet to the State a,
large. And he ought TO know that if Sigel is &c
treated, that proper sef-respect compes him L
persist in hs resignation the service oses Of thu
aoe3t generals, ana one Ol purtet lli
armies of the Union. 1t is not the fault Of Gen
Curtis that he was sent to ,upersede Gen. Sigel
The position was given him, not only unasked, bu
against his wishes.
Troops are slowly concentrating at Cairo. Two o
three regiments aie leaving to-day. The iceblocl'
ade Of the river below here gives signs of breakin
up, and whenever navigation is unimpeded, it ID OK
pected that men will be thrown rapidly forward TO
the long-talked-of Mississippi Expedition.
The weather has been cloudy and forbiddinl
through the most Of the Winter. The sun has hardly
been seen since the New-Year came in, and we have
had almost constant carnival Of mud in which st.
Louis challenges the world. On Sunday, night
closed in with snow storm, which atterward
changed to hail. then TO rain, and finally to a small
defuge, accompanied by heavy thunder and very
vivid lightning.
observe that Zone Who Knows" writing from
Washington on the 18th instant, attempts to correct
The TRIBUNE in regard to the case Of Gen. McKins-
try. 1t is certainly novelty TO find anybody who
"knows about this unparalleled case. But it is not
true that Gen. McKipstrys counsel, himself, had
received copies Of the charges against him. They
had obtained sort of resume Of the testimony before
the Van Wyck Committee, made up by the Judge
Advocate, but no charges and specifications for his
trial. 1t is not true that any opportunity for explain
atoms had been afforded him. II can hardly be
true that his arrest had "the approval of the Pres
dent" for, nearly month after it was made, the
President informed one of Gen. McKinstry's counsel
that he did not know whether he WIS arrested by
civil or military authority nor did he know the specific
cause of tho arrest But after a General in the
army of the United States has been kept close prs-