Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-14
GEN FRENoNr,s DEFENSE


ter. A great deal Of fault is attempted to be
found, and the friends Of Gen. Fremont are
severely censured, because of the publication
Of that document. But we have now a de-
Tense Of Gen. Fremont from a source that no
one can complain at its publication. On Fri
an attack in Congress on Gen. Fremont's
management of the Western Department
characterizing his defense as an apology for
disaster and defeat instead of a successful de-
Tense Of his Western campaign, whereupon
Hon. Schuyler Cofax of Indiana replied to
Mr.. Blair, not attempting to defend Gen.
Fremont in everything, but showing conclu
sively that the graver charges brought against
him by the Bairs are wholly without founda-
ton There is mystery which the public
would like to see solved, why Hon. f. 2.
Blair Member Of Congress from the St. Lou
is district, and at the time Colonel Of a regi-
ment in Gen. Fremont's command, and Hon.
Montgomery Blair, member Of Mr.. Lin
coins Cabinet, both having protested so strong
friendship for Gen. Fremont, and both being
apparently in his confidence, so suddenly
turned against him, and were the chief instru-
ments in his removal from the Department of
the West. But time will yet solve the mys-
terry, and, we believe, to the complete vindi-
cation of the honor and military ability Of
Gen. Fremont.
The following are the remarks Of Mr.. Col
fax in reply to Mr.. Blair:
Mr. Cpif,v. n Indiana. on II dad infeud IN
reply At this time. and am therefore h-prepared %
the elaborate charges made against Gen Fremont
by the gentleman from Missouri While differ from
him u regard the supercodure " Fremont in the
nand Of the Department of the Northwest. wish TO be
distinctly understood 60 say that matter who is in
command sustain that General, with all my heart and
soul, and strength and mind who acts cicctualy
and efficiently against the enemy believe IL is my du-
y 10 do So for this, under God is our only hope oi put
ting down This gigantic sud Satanic rebellion. But /
must that deeply regret that the gentleman should
have INDUCED IN the remarks ne did in debating grave
question like this that such occasion be should
have mingled personalities and charges which would be
better INDUCED in ON some more fitting arena. will
not touch the Opening Of the remarks " the gem
uenan, with regard TO him and his tamys previous
laiions with Gen. Fremont for here TO speak in
indication Of history Of the fair record Of the present
day and 20 prove that my friends feelings and judgment
perverted by pfsiudices The gentleman opposite
had been the friend " Gen Fremont up to the latter end
Of August. Up % that time he (Mr Blair the
warm and devoted friend the champion aud admirer Of
Gen Fremont. Up TO that time no charges had been
made against him. From the time the broke out |
tried in my humble sphere sustain confidence in our
Gene ais endeavored 70 preach ortearauce and uni
~. I impored men to cease deprcciatug our Generals
In the field flt that when they went forth the cause
Of the country rested Them that they had the lives 4
our brave soldiers Their hands, and that they should
Doe supported Whenever the administration superseded
th 'n, well and good Let them GO With regard 10 the
charges to-day reiterated this floor against Fremont
will first say that do not claim for Gen Fremont the
thlriclcr Of perfect man As all men are alhpr' So
DO has his faults Tie was an mpusivc and impetuous
man. But regret that he published the statement Of
defense he did But Gen. Fremont must have couclud-
ed that he had already abdd his time long enough AZ
ter six months. under the whip and spur aud lash OF
bowling enemies. he held and with an Abandonment Of
self and reticence which commanded the admira
ton II friends and the approval Of the civilized world
waited patiently his vndicaon since the day he de-
posed from his command to the present Now, wi bout
dsparapng others say that h. is the only MAJOR Gen
eral ia the United states Army who has gone with his
troops away from headquarters in pursuit Of the enemy
performing long marches iordng MYERS and never hau-
ing until he had brought the foe 70 bay. Others, no
doubt willing to do all in their power to the same
cndhut this Is the only instance at the time OF tins de-
termination aud courage Of Gen. Fremont And now |
that believe The aspcrsion veutured upon
by the gentleman from Missouri, that Cen Fremont Is
timd man, Every schOolnoy in the country knows the
history ofhe man. aud that history dsposcs ot hat as
pcrson. Whether, as General, be was fitted for the
command OF the Western Department OF not, he IS a
brave aud fearless man. man who has met death IN va
rious furms and encountered pcrils in every shapes
who has written his the page Of history
great hseovefer-adfentufer u you Will one VINO mas
raised the Stars and Stripes dgtaut soil through phi
walton and toll and suffering 10 The improvements Of SCI
while hc knew the sword Of Damocles was suspended
his head by single hair he went with his army in
pursuit II the enemies Of his county, leading the advance
In person. not bringing up the rear is customary with
Generals in command. No, Sir Gen Fremont rs no
coward but A brave and fearless With regard To
the charge about the contracts, desiring 10 be frank
say that do not approve Of the contracts made by Cen
Fremont with regard TO the iorih'auons for Missouri ;
but in making these contracts, il must be supposed that
he guided by the opinion 0t the mead engineer OF the
department with regard 10 the price But II his outlay
ia this respect impruyident and extmyagaut, have
only to express The hope that The expenditures ot the
public money in other departments have been managed
with scrupuou, economy we gu kno" INC ohstge
brought against him By Adju,antGeneral Ihomas that
the horses purchased by him bOncd and spaF-
ucd &c Now, when came 10 Washington found that
there fourteen hundred horses, purchased for the
army uf the Potomac, condemned, nud not paper IN
the country had word To say about H. but because few
horses condemned in Fremouts command, all SORTS
Of charges brought against him The gentleman
fom Missouri had been very eulogsuc Of St Louis ITS
patriotism Now wish could believe all he said IN
It's favor. l. indeed helirys wh him, that the great
bulk of the people are loyal hut as hImy oeeNe a
the wealth aud capital and thesocial influence Of st. Lou
Is strongly on The side OF secession even since
Halleck took command II that department lhey held
election in that city for Chamber Of Commerce. aud
what called the secession ticket was elected by
large majority, in the face even OF the MAYOR General OF
the United States commandin In speaking OF the SEN
umcnts which actuatei portion OF the people OF that
city. SPEAK Of its wealth aud capital being strongly
the side Of secession and 80 strongly this elrH
manifested that Gen Haleek compelled the Chamber Of
/ Commerce Ia take the oath u allegiance. know 81
Louis is loyal aud one Of the strongest proofs Of that
found In the fact that when their dcposed General came
back after he came back degraded and deposed from h
command, without power or place. theY shhcreu dnuu,
him in tens Of thousands 10 welcome him. That
take as a strong proofof their loyalty
The gentleman Mr.. Blair says that up 70 the time
the death Of Lyon he had been warm friend Of Fremont
Now the fact is that Lyons death occurred on the lOt
Of August, and IL is that the gentlemans friend
ship continued for Fremont till even after thiscontin
/ ued for him whom he has since Arragned guilty
| criminal, whose skirts stained with the bloOt
! Of that brave oficer-arragns him now Of crime
which, II guilty he be guilty Of murder, il he tGen
Fremont) had the power relieve him and did not. Blu
though Lyon died early in August, is not til Sepem
Der that the gentleman from Missouri considers Frem0n
guilty. for twenty days after he did not ACCUSE
him Of the Mr. COlfaX quoted several dispatche
from Gen Schofeld Harding, and Gen. Lyon himself L
show the impossbility Of reinforcing Lyon even befor
the withdrawal OF the large drafts Of troops from The
Southwest for the protection Of Washington and contin
ucd IL under therefore, the most adverse citcum
stances that Gen. Fremont took command at St. Louis
and il for raising army protect the Union, ant
put down rebellion that he has been condemned from
end of the country the other. The gentleman op
posito declared here that Cairo did not need reinforce
meuts, but say did Fremont had at this time few
/ regiments, three OF three montha' mon-men who ha
not yet received any pay, and who would not rc-en
list, but were 10 consequence Of neglect determined u
abandon the service. Now, submit 20 this House, an
country, the consideration OF the two points TO b
/ reinforced. One AZ the end Of common Wagon
road from whence Lyon could have retreated II he cou
not maintain himself the other at the mouth Of tn
Ohio which commanded the Mississippi aud Missouri
Rivers at Cairo, the futhest point south then had
our possession IL was then in great danger Of bein
wresed from us and rebel governors AND leaders had