Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-03-14


of the War. Il ssf
To the Hon. MR. WADE, Chairman of the
Committee on The Conduct of the Var.
Agreeable TO a suggestion from the Com
mittee, / mako tho following statements
concerning my administration Of the West
orn Department; Notwithstanding my un-
willingness to eDgross the time Of the Com
mittee, shall have to ask that they will
take the trouble TO look over the documents
which l have appended to this statement; {;
and which comprehend the most important
letters, orders, and telegraphic communica-
tions concerning some the most important
events and acts of the period referred to-
The magnitude of the Department and its
interests, the amount of business required
to be done, the inadequacy Of means, and
the short space into which many events
were crowded, together with the many ac-
cusations and the strained and rigorous ac-
count 10 which the Western Department
has been held, make il impossible to present
the subject with fairness in brief paper
In my desire not to cumber this statement,
and having respect to my character of wit
ness before your Committee, have ommit-
ted facts and considerations in vindication
Of myself on points whero l have been at
tackled, but into which shall ask tho Com
mittee to examine. This paper is only di-
rected to leading points, leaving their de-
tails, and what is moro directly personal to
myself, to the testimony of witnesses / have
asked to have summoned, and to the &C.
companying papers.
When in July last was assigned to the
command of the Western Department, it
comprehended with Illinois all the States
and Territories west of the Mississippi River
to the Rocky Mountains, including New
Mexico.
No special object was given me in charge
to do, nor was l furnished with any partic.
ular plan of a campaign. Tho general dis
cussion at Washington resulted in the I'M
Outstanding that the great object in view
was tho descent of the Mississippi, and for
its accomplishment l was 10 raise and or
ganize an army, and when was ready TO
descend the river, was to let the Prcsi-
don't know. My command was then to be
extended over Kentucky and down the left
bank Of the Mississippi. For military 'ea-
sons it was judged incxpedient to do so in
the beginning.
Full discretionary powers of the amplest
kind were conferred upon me. Not line
of written instructions was given me. The
leading object of the campaign being settled,
the details of its accomplishment and the
management of my department was left to
my own judgment.
While at Washington informed myself
fully Of the unprcpared condition of the
West, and its want Of arms, from the Gov
ernor of Illinois. a
OF the Illinois contingent, 1000 men
were unarmed. Their cavalry was without
horses or sabers, their artillery companies
had hardly any guns, and werc wholly with
out equipments. Upon this information
procured an order for 1000 stand of arms
which, upon my arrival in New York two
days AFTER found had been countermand.
cd Upon my complaint to Washington,
and upon tho direct interposition of the
President, Major Hagner was sent to aid
me in procuring what judged immediate
ly necessary for the Department. With
him arranged for getting together from
various Arsenals, and forwarding to st
Louis arms and equipments sufficient fo
the complete equipment of an army corp
of $4,000 men. h
In the meantime, the rebellion in th'
West was daily assuming a moro threaten
ing aspect. In the Northwest aggravated
disorders had broken out. Gen. Pope wa
earnestly requested to take the field will
the remainder of the Illinois contiDgents
Gen. Harding was asking reinforcements fo
Cairo and the Southeast, and Gen. Lyor
for Springfield and the Southwest.
Urged by this serious condition Of affairs
/ applied to Gen. Scott for permission I,
take the field Immediately, with any instruC
tions he might have to give me. HavinI
received this permission, and being inform
ed there were no instructions for me, l LEI
New York on the day following the battl
Of Manassas, and reached my command a
st. Louis on the 25th day of July.
! Al this time the State of Missouri wa
! throughout rebellious. A Rebel faction i
: every county, at least equal to the loyal poE
: ulation in numbers, and excelling it in vir
dictiveness and energy. The local Govern
ment was in confusion and unable TO aid.-
!. St. Louis itself was rebel city, and, as
a rule, the influential and wealthy citizen
/, were friendly to secession.
Of tho new levies of the Federal troops
few were in the fieId--the term of enlis
ment Of the three months men was just e,
: piring-the troops in service had not bee
paid; we're badly EQUIPPED and badly SUI
o piled; and, in addition to the rebel pa
2 2 ties which swarmed throughout the Stat
! a Confederate army of nearly $4,000 me
1 was already on the Southern frontier.
Gen. Pope was in North Missouri, wit
II nearly all my disposable forces; Gen. Lyo
was at Springfield, with about z 800 mel
and Gen. Prentiss was holding Cairo wit
r. seven regiments. Gen. Lyons troops wer
5. in greater part, three months men. who's
term of service was ending, and all of Gel
Prentiss' force was in the same condition.
: The arms collected for me in New Yor
r. had been diverted to Virginia, and ! ha
neither money nor credit. Want Of arm
a :; and want Of money we're the chief difficu
ties to be met, whilo the necessity 10 me'
!. the enemy on three sides at once was u
gent and imminent There was no lack
men. The loyal population of the Wes
and among them the Germans, with n
{, bic uDanimity, were willing TO come in ma
- a.. IL a