The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-14
NEW SERIES-NO. 432

to the vast Importance of securing posses.
sion in advance of the country lying between
the Ohio, Tennessee and Mississippi, have
today suggested the first part of the pre-
ceding plan. By extending my command
to Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky, you
will enable me to attempt the accomplish.
ment of this all important result: and in
order to secure the secrecy necessary to its
success, shall not extend the communica-
tion which l have made to General Sher-
man, or repeat it to any one else.
"With high respect and regard,
am, very truly yours,
81. c. FREMONT"
THE ADVANCE UPON PRICE.
On the 18th of September, in the midst
of pressing demands for troops from all
points in his department, Fremont was Or
dered, by the Secretary of War and Gen.
Scott, to send FIVE thousand we'll armed
infantry to Washington without me-
ment's delay" The men were sent, but
the reduction of his force seriously impeded
Fremont's operations. Nevertheless, be
advanced to meet Price at the Usage. In
regard to this movement he says:
Except the victory, little advantage re.
suited to Price from the capture of Lexing-
ton, exposed ami resting upon broad river
which there was no chance for large ar
my to cross in case of defeat. AS a mill
tary position its occupation had no value
Tor him. On the contrary, had possessed
the means of transportation to move for
ward my troops rapidly, l should have been
we'll content to give up Lexington for the
certainty of being able to compel Price to
give me battle on the north side of the
Usage, as he could not cross the Missouri
without exposing himself to certain defeat,
no other course would have remained open
to him. In fact, when 1 did 60 forward,
the appearance of my ADVANCE at Sedalia
was the signal for his precipitate retreat"
At the end of October, when the army
of the West was at last organized and
equipped, "we were," says Fremont, "every-
where and uniformly along our lines suc>
cessful against the enemy" "The State of
Missouri" he adds, "was in reality reclaim>
ed, and in condition to leave the army free
for the special object OF descending the
Mississippi. The rebels already acknowl-
edged the inutlity of resistance to the fed
eraI authority; the doubtful came to the
side of power, and the loyal, who had
borne the brunt of war-when to stand by
the Union involved danger and losses
were everywhere encouraged to new efforts,
and rewarded for their past aid"
THE DISMISSAL.
The defence concludes as follows:
"These were the circumstances under
which, without reason assigned, l was reliev-
ed of my command.
"lt is not grateful to me to have been
myself compelled to set out the merits of
my administration /; but it was necessary in
order to call attention to points which
otherwise might not have, been presented,and
which are necessary to clear understand
ing of the subjects inquired into. Many
acts which have been censured we're, think
for the public good. know they were with
that intention. do not feel that in any
case | overstepped the authority intended
to be coDfded to me.
"Myseif, and the officers and men acting
with me, were actuated solely by desire
to serve the country and feel assured that
this is realized by the people of the West,
among whom we were acting.
Respectfully
"Major-General U S. AZ