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

whom they gave, TOR the first time, sense
Of protection and security. They were
laid out with view TO command the city
itself, as we'll as the approaches to it. The
defcnses which rest upon st. Louis consti-
tuie the dyke which separates the South
from the Northwest. It is easy, after a
prccaution has been successful, to say that
It was not needed. | did not chose TO ex-
pose myself TO the chances of neglect
either at st. Louis or Paducah--for both
Of which have been censured, and with
equal ignorance in either case. The un-.
fairness Of this attack consists in Judging
what was necessary for 81. Louis then by
its condition whom left the Department.
ask the Committee to bear in mind
that the plan for the defense Of the State,
and my operations generally, were all con-
Quoted in reference TO the descent of the
Mississippi, to which all preparations tend
ed. To complete the defense of St. Louis,
after the withdraw of the army, five regi-
ments of infantry, with one battalion Of
cavalry, and two batteries of artillery, were
considered amply sufficient. .st.
1t has been objected that did not en-
ploy the troops under my command, in
stead Of hired labor, for this work. l did
this in the exercise Of my judgment. L did
not consider it oxpedient to employ the
volunteer troops in work Of this msgni-
tude, involving so much labor and exposure.
The hot suns and heavy night dews Of the
unhealthy months of August and Septen-
Der need to be avoided in that climate
The troops were so little acquainted with
arms that all their time was needed to fit
them for the field, while on the other hand,
the employment of hired labor was of great
service in tranquilizing the city, and reliev.
ing the widespread distress the war had en-.
tailed on it and which private charity had
exhausted itself in endeavoring to relieve
Concerning the contract for this work
the Committee of Investigation say that il
was made under the Especial order and d.
rection of Gen. Fremont" and concerning
the payments that they wero made upon
his 'personal ORDER" The following ex.
tract will show that not only was l recog.
nized to have this power, but that was SC
late as the Sd Of September counselled to
exercise it by tho Quartermaster-Ge General,
1
General Meigs:
WASHINGTON, Sept 3, 1861.
Extract from Letter Of the Hon. NJ. Blair P.M.G.l
"Meigs begged me this afternoon to get you tc
! order l5-inch guns from Pittsburgh for your
gun-boats. He says that the gun-boats car
empty any battery the enemy can make will
such guns He advises that you contract fo
! them directly yourself telling the contracts
you will direct your ordnance officer to pay TO
them"
Concerning the contractor the committe
say that be is "a Californian who followe
Fremont to st. Louis"
/ left California for Europe on the frs
of January. On the lst of August, thinl
Mr.. Beard left there, coming overland to 81
Louis.
never wrote him, or in any way com
municated with him, or knew OF his intend
ed coming. His arrival was equally sur
, prise and pleasure to me.
knew him to be man of unusual eneI
gy and capacity, accustomed to the manage
, ment Of men on large works, and immedi
i ately applied to him to undertake the bull
e ding of the Notifications. l sent an Office
with him to make his examinations, and h'
began his work, / think on the second dal
; after his arrival. | assigned him one of m,
ablest officers to lay out and superinten'
the work, and to remain constantly witt
him, gave him every facility he asked, an,
) drove him 10 the extent of his capacity
) Six thousand men were employed upon il
working night and day, and it was finishe,
rapidly in workmanlike and durable man
ner. Extra pay was allowed to the labor
ers, 40 cents per day, / think, and extr
expense incurred under the pressure au
thorized. was satisfied with him and th,
; work done by him. asked no bond from
him, because he was stranger and eoul
: not give one. He began his work befor
the contract was made; an accident delay
:, cd its execution by General McKiustry.--
u When the prices for his work were undo
discussion and were referred to me by Ge
u McKinstry, directed this officer TO redu'
9 them to what was just and reasonable
both parties, having reference to the ci
cumstances under which tho work was don
: and the extra prices that had been paid, 8
: as to leave the contractor what might b
strictly fair profit on his labor, and his d,
: cision, whatever il was, was approved b
: me. For cost of construction and other d.
tails with which am not acquainted, II
spectfully refer the committee to the test
mony Of the Quartermaster and the col
J tractor whom / have asked to have sun
moned.
To show their nature and value, the r.
! port and testimony of the engineers, WI
. planned and were experimenting the wor
will be furnished the committee. The o.
: iect aimed at was tho completion Of Il
: city defenses in the shortest possible tim
= Tho works are thoroughly and we'll buil
, covering and comprehending the city itse
= and the surrounding country on length
about ten miles, and the total cost is,
think, less than 100000.
d In my judgment, having in view Il
|, time and manner in which they were bull
/. the money was well applied, and as mes
e ure Of expediency and policy, il was ful
J. worth to the Government what it COST
.o And while examining into the eondu
l. and events Of the war, think il right
r eallthe attention Of your Committee 70 d
5. fact that Committee charged to sinves
r gate frandsp came into department wbi'
o. was under martial law, in the midst Of Gil
d dissentious encouraging insnbordinatio
le diserediiiug aud weakening the authoFi
r IL. A.. l..