New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-04

Rolla. Though rather tardy in obtaining the &c
count, It'll consider the publication VIII be found
to poesess SINE historical interest and at the same
time throw some light on few points involved In
modification; besides any quantity OF erroneous
comments that have obtained currency IN the Puoilc
press viii be corrected by an auttertic statement.
TIE narrative - from third person present at the
interview, End was furnished me at my solicitation.
THE INTERVIEW.
Brig Curtis arrived here on the 9th day Of
December, at night, and Immediately proceeded TO
Gen. Sigers headquarters, some three miles distant.
After the friendly ssuts'ions were over, Gen.
Curtis proceeded he cetsil Of business inouiring
a. to Tho number, Efficiency health and discipline of
the TROOPS Gen Syel giving the necessary inf rna-
ton Ia regard 10 these questions.
Gen. Curtis said that he had been ordered here by
Gen. Halleck to take eommaud of oil that part of
tie State OF MissOur south of the Usage and wes,
OF Meramec but that he did not wish to assume
the command ct once Of forces here, if he could get
along without doing so. and proposed that Gen. Sgel
shoud issue orders directing part Of tie command
10 get In readiness Immediately to move.
Gen. Sige, without making any definite answer,
asked some questions Ia regard 10 their relative rank.
Gen. Curtis answered hal mr. 10 rank there could he
no question: that matter had been rettled by tue
Army Register.
Gen. Curtis is graduate of West Point, and served
in the regular army, aud also cololel OF voln-
eers IN she Mexicsn war. He also eulered aud took
pos.e, sion of North Missouri driving out the reOtl-,
al be came line that Gems LyO and Sigr attacked
Them in Suuihern Missouri, In june last. There
facts gave him iauk over other Brgsdi rGeuerals
whose muster and commissions are OF tie zane dae
hIe.
After Gen. Sigel bad become apparently satisfied
os 10 the rank being in favor Of Gen. turtie, the
question again REQUIRED upon issulng orders, Gen
Curtis exul lining tha ne bad not yet assumed TIE
command and did not with TO at that time, but thai
il was n ces-ary that orders should re gwen, 20 that
toe command NIGH, be in marching order at Le
p ortesi notice. Gen Sigel hestaed, or IN fact de-
,incd 70 give his consent 10 Issue any ofters, stating
o. the .aine lire that lie had eXgecied 20 oomnahd
th. expedition ii q forward movement was made,
eri fnI liz view &C this change Ia The command be-
cd not wan TO- or would not issue any orders where
any resi- ousiiilty would attach to Lin.
IencrL Curtis replied that be had In no mauuer
iefu Ycsuons e for he CLauLe: that he had do.red
to 90 dawn and believed that he would ha Sc gone
down lie Al-sif.ipu River, but that General Hal
fc bad O. er@i-e ofCsred and that IN coming here
be bad only obeyed Orders which had been gwen
hin. thst bi. proportion wculi nave been 10 70
uo,yu the river with General iali-ck. General
Sgei did not consent TO issue the orders except he
ana 20 IN pursuance Of orders from General Curtis
30 ihst there was no otter alternative than that
General Curtis should Immediately assume the COM
maud.
General Sieel freely and fnlly exo'erated General
Cnrt- from all blame Tor ben snpeFscced. General
Curtis curlially Invited General seePs hearty CO.
o,trtiJn aud -dyi.e.
Gcierl CHrtis on assuming command, manifested
reprc' rather than arrogance or seligIatuation. a.
beng as.igned tie command. The TWO Generals
seem on good terms, Notwithstanding Efforts have
been made by rome Of tho pross 10 create nisuLGea-
standings.