The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-14


General says "Causes wholly out of my
jurisdiction had already prepared the de-
feat of General Lyon, before my arrival at
St Louis"
TEt. CONTRACTS AND MUsKET PURCHASES.
Fremont then passes to a consideration
OF the charges concerning contracts; claims
that The Austrian guns were purchased in
pressing exigency; that the Notifications
CT ST. Louis we're essential, in his own judg-
ment, as we'll as that of competent officers /;
and that the contracts with the Californian,
Beard, were made because be was man of
unusual energy and capacity, accustomed to
the management of men on large works.
As to Boards charges for constructing the
Notifications, Fremont says: When the
prices for his work were under discussion,
and were referred to me by General Nc
Kinstry, directed this officer to reduce
them to what was just and reasonable to
both parties, having reference to the cir
cumstances under which the work was dine
and the extra prices that had been paid, SO
as to leave the contractor what might be
strictly fair profit on his labor, and his
decision, whatever it was, was approved by
me-"
In reference to the purchase of muskets
at $22 each, Fremont says:
"Taking into consideration the advance
in price of arms, caused by the war; sub.
NIT that the purchase is not deserving of
special censure. l have disagreed from the
rule laid down at the outset 10 this paper,
but the passage of the resolution, which is
soon to be before the House, would be a
vote of censure, and as the report itself, to-
gether with the official accusations, have
been broadly spread over the country, I
respectfully ask that the committee will
cause this statement, together with the &C.
companying documents, to have equal and
immediate publicity given to them, in order
that Congress may act understandings, and
the censure asked for go where it properly
belongs
FREMoNT's PLAN OF THE SOUTHERN CANS
PAIGN.
In September Fremont was completing
bis arrangements for the descent of the Mis-
sissippi, and on the 9Th of that month be
addressed the following letter to the Presi-
dent, setting forth the general plan of a
campaign which has since been fulfilled, in
part, by our troops:
[Privatel
HEADQUARTERS, WESTERN DEPARTMENT, |
September S, 1861.
A" TO the President
"MY DEAR SIR: send by another
hand what l ask you to consider in respect
to the subject Of the note by your special
messenger.
" In this desire 10 ask your attention to
The position of affairs in Kentucky. As the
rebel troops, driven out from Missouri, had
invaded Kentucky in considerable force,
and by occupying Union City, Hickman
and Columbus, were preparing to seize Pa
ducah and attack Cairo, judged it impos-
sible, without losing important ad vantages,
to defer any longer forward movement.
For this purpose l have drawn from the
Missouri side part OF the force which had
been stationed at Birds Point, Cairo and
Cape Girardeau, to Fort Holt and Padu.
cab, Of which places we have taken possess
sion. As the rebel forces outnumber ours,
and the counties of Kentucky between the
Mississippi and Tennessee rivers, as well as
those along the latter and the Cumberland
are strongly secessiOnist, it becomes imper>
atively necessary to have the corporation
of the loyal Union forces under Generals
Anderson and Nelson, as we'll as of those
already encamped opposite Louisville under
Colonel Rousseau. have reinforced, yes
terday, Paducah with two regiments, and
will continue to strengthen the position
with men and artillery. AS soon as Gene
raj Smith, who commands there,is reinforced
sufficiently for him to spread bis forces, he
will have to take and hold LovelacevilIe, to
be in the rear and flank of Columbus, and
to occupy Smithland, controlling in this
way both the mouths of the Tennessee and
the Cumberland rivers. At the same time
Colonel Rousseau should bring his force, in
creased, if possible, by two Ohio regiments,
in boats to Henderson, and, taking the
Henderson and Nashville Railroad, occupy
Hopkinsville, while General Nelson should
60 with force of five thousand by railroad
to Louisville, and from thence to Bowling
Green. As the population in all the coun.
ties through which the above railroads pass
are loyal, this movement could be made
without delay or molestation to the troops.
Meanwhile General Grant would take pos
session of the entire Cairo and Fulton rail
road, Piketon, New Madrid and the shore
of the Mississippi opposite Hickman and
Columbus. The foregoing disposition hav.
ing been effected, q combined attock qoiU be
made on Columbus, and IF !fsuccessfuJ in that,
upon Hickman, qo1ile Rousseau and Nelson
a0iW maove an concert, By railroad, to Nash.
viJle, Iean., occupying the State capital
and, with an adequate force, Neso Prooi-
dence. The conclusion Of this movemasnt
Doasld be combined Gdvomce tovords Men,
phis, on the Mississippi, as sosN as the Mem.
plbis and Ohio Railroad, and trust the re-
suit would be glorious one to the country:
In reply to a letter from General Sherman,
by the hand of Judge Williams, in relation