New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-04
CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

peaduN ~ ne Wdr, Se.
Agreeably to a suggestion from the Committee, ]
make the following statement concerning my admin
itraiion Of the Western Department. notwithstand
M my unwiiugness TO engross the time of the Com
znitiee, shall have 10 ask that they will take the
trouble TO look over the documents which have ap-
pcrded to this statement; and which comprehend the
most important letters orders and telegraphc com
pmnieations concerning some of the most important
events and acts OF the period referred TO- The mag
nitude of the Department and its interests, the
amount Of business required 10 be done, the made
opaey Of means, and the short space into which
many events Were crowded together with the many
accusations and the strained and rigorous account
make i, impossible to present the subject with fair
nets in brief paper In my desire not TO cnmber
tbis statement aud having respect to my character Of
witness before your Committee, have omitted facts
and conside raions in vindeaton of myself on points
where / have been attacked but into which
shall ask the Committee 10 examine. This paper is
and what il more directly personal to myself to the
testimony of witnesses have asked 10 have sum
moned and to the accompanying papers
Wien in July last was assigned 10 the command
Of the Western Department it comprehended with
Ihnois al the Siaies and Territories west Of the
Mississippi River 20 the Rocky Mountains, including
New-McXico.
No special object WIS given me in change 60 do
nor was furnished with any particular plan Of q
eanpaien. The general discussions az Was ingtou
resulted in the unders' n1ae that the great object IN
view was the descent Of The Mississippi aud for III
accomplishment was 70 Taise and organize an army.
and when was really 70 descend the river was t.
let the President know. Ny command was then to
he extended over Kentucky and down the left bank
Of the Mississippi. For military reasons 1t was
Judged inexpedieut 10 DO 50 in tie beginning.
Full Discretionary powers the amPlest kind were
conferred on re- Not line of written Instructions
was given me- The leading object of The campaign
being settled the details of ts accomplishment and
the management Of my Department were left 10 my
own judgment.
White at Washington ! informed myself fully Of
The unprepared condition ofthe West and It's want Of
arms, from the Governor Of Ilnois.
OF the Illinois contingent 900 men Were un-
armed. Their cavalry without horses or sabers,
their artillery companies had hardly any guns and
were wholly without equipments. Upon 'iif inform
alton procured an order for 000 stands Of arms,
which, upon my arrival in New-York two daysais
i found had been ooBntermanded. Upon my COM
plant 20 Washington, and upon the direct lnerposa-
tion of the President, Major Hagner was TO aid
me in procuring what judged imne lately neces-
ss.ry for the Department. With him i arranged for
nd f.rxs
iDg to s.. Louis, arms aud equipments sufficient for
the complete equipment Of an army corps OF %JooO
men.
In the meantime the rebellion III the Wett Was
daily assuming more threatening aopec'. 1" 'he
Noth-West aggravated disorders had bioAeh our.
Gen. Poue VIA urgently requesting 70 Jake tne he'"
with the remainder Of the Illinois coningehsi Zen.
Harding was asking re-enforcements for CAIRO ana
The south-East, and Gen. Lyon for Springfield AMI
the SOulh-Wes
Urged by this serous condition OF affairs, ep-
piled 70 Gen. Scott for permission to take The ned
Immediately, with any instructions he might have %
give me. Having received this PERMISSION ana
being Informed there were no instruouons Tor me,
leit New-York on the day following the battle oi
Manassaa, and reached my command at Of. LOUIS on
The 9th day Of July
At this time the STATE OF Ml5roWI was tnIo1ShVnt
rebellious Rebel faction in every county, atieast
equal TO tie loyal population in numbers, aud e&-
ceiling il in viadictiyeness and energy. The Local
Government was in confusion and Enabled 10 aid.
81. Louis solf was Rebel city, and az rule, the
influential anj wealthy citizens friendly to So
eession.
=. Or the new ly.es o. the Federal troops, few were
the ield-ths term Of enlistment Of the three
."onths meu was hst expirng-the troops 10 service
HAd not been paid; we're badly equipped and badly
supplied; and in addition to the Rebel parties which
warmed throughout H., State, Confederate Army
- He"i' "O'OOV men wa already on lite Southern
zen fope was in North Ms.ouH. with nearly all |
my n'poeaole forces Gen. Lyon WIS at Spring. |
ne,o, WIN about 800 men, and Gen. Pfentiss was
holding Cairo, with seven regime,as. Gen. Lyor,s
"oopr were In greater par, three Inontbs' men |
whose term Of seryice was ending. aud all Of Zen.
1ienusss force was in the same condition.
iHe arins collected for me in Eew-York had been
wv yea ~ Virginia, and had neither money NOR
''e"~ want 81 arms aud want OF money were the
enc ai"cutes 81 BE met, while the oeysty 10 meet
we enemy on three siles al urgent aud i'm
.Hh'Hi' iheic ~as 10 lack Of men. The loyal popu.
'Anph q The Nest end smoug them the Germans
VII" ho''e aaan.'aiy were w. Ing ~ ONE in mas
:" % standard osthe Ur,on
me - 20 ~ nno pandro by these mort ur
f'' 'i' ns''aofa osd s.,gcciaiiy ans one q, re-
L. 4