New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-10
THE CASE OF GEN. MckINSIRY.

From all accounts the case of Gen. McKinstry, o
TIE Western DEPARTMENT, is q mort remarkable one
According to The 81. Louis Republican, be Wa
arrested some seven weeks ago, by the order Of
Bri2adier. General Curtis, in command of the st.
Louis Department and in the execution OF an order
from his superior officer. The case was deeme' OF
such urgency that, although Gen. Mcknstry was
on lis return to St. Louis with the army Of tue
West. after Gen. Fremont had been superseded, the
arrest was made Oh the march, and he was taken
from the cars directly to the Arsenal, where lie has
ever since been detained. From what quarter tins
order emanated il, as yet, not definitely settled.
Gen. Curtis, no doubt, did exactly what he was
commanded to do and no censure rests upon him.
Gen. McKiastry, smartiDg under the indgnty offered
TO him, is understood, at an early day after hi-
arrest, TO have applied TO the War Department for
the charges and specifications which were made Tie
groundwork Of bis arrest.
This application has been repeated at different times
and in various forms, but, as is alleged, without
eject. On the representation Of gentlemen in Wash
Dgon, who have taken direct interest in his case,
the President is said to have instituted inquiries m
regard to it, Neither the head of the War Depart
ment, nor the Adjutan:-G nor any one e'se
seems to have had any hand in it. AT one time, i.
was surmsed that the order was issued by Gen. Nc
Clean, under misapprehension Of communication
from Mr.. Cameron, instrncting him to inquire into
the administration Of the affairs Of the Quartermaf-
ters Department at st. Louis, OF which Gen. Me-
Kinstry had BEEN until be took the field for Spring
field the active head. At another, il was suggested
that the Board Of Claims, ordered TO pass upon all
tho transactions Of this Department, were instru-
mental in causing the arrest.
Whatever may have been the action Of Gen.
Mcclellan, it is confidently stated, we hear, that the
Board of Claims were not privy to anything of the
kind The President knew nothing Of the order for
arrest. The Secretary Of War knew nothing of it.
The Adlu,ant- General was alike ignorant of it.
Stranger and more inexplcabe still, the Judge.
Advocate Lee, on the case being being submitted to
him, is represented declaring that he can find
nothing in the official conduct Of Gen. Mckinstry
upon which to predicate charges against him. and It
il asserted with confidence, by his friends that the
Bcardo Of Claims in session in ST. Louis thoroughly as
they have performed their duty, have discovered
nothing calculated to mpeach bis integrity as an
officer and man.
We allude to these things because We hear them
talked Of in various quarters. Gen. Mehinstry is
an American citizen, holding high rank in his pro-
fession President Lincoln, recognizing his ability,
We may presume, in one branch of the public ser
vice transferred him TO another, and conferred upon
bim brigadier.generalshp. Under some influence,
he was degraded from thai portion and placed under
arrest, from which, so far We can learn he has
not been relieved. Common justice-that justice
which is meied out to all, under our ls~s-demsnds
hat he should at least be informed Of the accusations
against him and put upon bis trial.