New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-10

~. though the enemy outnumbered our ioioss booS
to one, onr army was eminentiy successful.
Gen. Lyon fell leading on regiment TO the attack.
His loss At that time was most deeply felt. Dying
as brave soldier would wish to de- fighting for the
cause of bis country against those who were seeking
its destruction bis example has exercised ito influence
upon those who have since won the glorious victories
which have made our armies In the West 80 illus
trious. =,
enemy being 90 severely punished that they followed
only at distance At Rolls they were joined BY
the troops that had been started to their relief but
had been delayed for want Of transportation.
In September, Col. Mulligsn, who had been upon
an expedition 10 the northern part OF the State, wa
obliged to fall back before the forces Of the enemy
advancing aesinst hun under Gen. Price. Col. Null
ligan made q stand at Lexington, and prepared u
resist them. sending for re-enforcements:: Zen.
Fremont, upon hearing of Col MuIligan's situation,
made arrangements to send troops to bis assistance;
but from various causes they were unable 10 reach
bin, and the enemy succeeding in cutting on hia
supply Of water, he was compelled TO surrender.
Shortly after this, Gen. Fremont determined 70
take the field In person. with ali the forces be could
collect together. He was deficient in traIsporta-
ton 80 much 30 that the Adjutant.G General OF the
army reported to the Secretary Of War that Gen.
Fremont would be unable to move. he did move,
however, and by Nov. l succeeded In reaching
Springfield. The enemy, some 1900 strong, had
with barely 100 cavalry, made the most brilliant
charge Of the war.
Preparations were made 10 engage the enemy
who were understood to be in force 10 the immediate
neIghborhood of Springfield. The day was fixed,
aud the order Of the attack determined upon. just
then Gen. Fremont was removed from the COM
mand, and Gen. Hunter appointed as his successor.
Gen. Hunter testlfes that he became satisfied that
the enemy were not 30 near as Gen. Fremont had
supposed. He determined, therefore. to withdraw
to st. Louis which was DONE and active operations
10 the State were suspended for some time.
In relation to the administration Of Gen. Fremont,
much has been said about the high prices paid by
him for arms and other supplies; the unnecessary
fortifcaton OF St. LOUIS delay in re-enforclng
points threatened by the enemy; undue assumption
of authority, &c. Your Committee can but briefly
notice those different points, on account Of their ina
blity to obtain full evidence in relation to them
This much, at least, appears to be established;
Gen. Fremont, upon taking the command, was
clothed with the most ample authority, and the ex-
igences of the Department were such that much
should be pardoned In one compelled TO act 50
promptly, and with 80 little az his command.
Whether that authority was exercised, in all re-
spects, az it should have been-whether Gen. Ere
mon. was justified n all that be did by the crcum-
stances under which he was called upon 10 act
your Committee do not undertake to express pos
tive opinion.
In relation TO the purchase of arms, &C., 1t ap..
supplies of all kinds; the demand was most pressing,
and the Government was unable to supply 1t. Some
of the arms engaged by Gen. Fremont for the SOL
ders in his department were diverted to the Army
of the Potomac-the primary object OF the Govern
ment then being 10 collect and equip an army et
Washington as soon as could possibly be done. This
rendered il the more important that other arms
should be obtained. Yet with all that Gen. Ere
mont deemed il proper to do, his department long
felt the want Of adequate supplies.
In reference to the fortifcstions about st. Louis,
Gen. Fremont but carried out what Gen. Lyon be-
fore him had deemed necessary. In reference to
the manner in which 1t was doDe-as the Govern
ment has had its agents to examine the contracts
for that work. well other contracts, your Com.
mittee forbear expressing an opinion.
In regard to re-enforclng promptly those points
threatened by the enemy, 90 far as your Committee
have the evidence before them, they believe that
Gen. Fremont acted with energy and promptness.
He was peculiarly situated. The first cal-that of
Gen. Lyon-was pressed upon him 20 soon after
he took command of the department, and
he was compelled to act so hastily, without
time for fully surveying the field before him, aud
ascer.ainng the extent Of the at his COM
mand that even if he failed TO do all that under
other circumstances might have done, still your
Committee can discover no cause Of ceDsure against
him. But In regard 10 both Gen. Lyon and Col. Multi
gan, your Committee have discovered no evidence
Of any disregard for the public interest, or want OF
energy or inclination upon the part Of Gen. Ere
mont. Troops were collected by him as soon a.
could be done, and they were promptly sent whore
the exigeucies Of the service demanded. Some Of
them were diverted to other purposes than those for
which Gen. Fremont designed them. The Govern
ment called upon him for troops to be sent to the
east, ut time when he was most earnestly engaged
ia procuring forces for the assistance Of COL Multi
gan. Those that were left were sent promptly. and
only failed 10 render the assistance needed from
causes over which Gen. Fremont had no control.
Gen. Fremont early turned his attention to tho
building of gunboats for our Western rivers. Who
ever s entitled to the credit or originating the idea
of employing such means OF warfare IN that section
of country, it is not to be denied that Gen. Fremont
perceived the advantage to result from them. Oar
brilliant victories in the West will bear enduring
testimony " the correctness OF his udgmen in thar
respect.
But that feature of Gen. Fremout's administration
which attracted the most attention at the time and
which will ever be most prominent among the many
points Of interest connected with the history OF that
Department, il his Proclamation Of Emancipation.
Whatever opinion may be entertained in reference
10 the timo when the policy Of Emancipation should
have been inauguraied, or by whose authority IL
should have been promulg there can be no doubt
that Gen. Fremont at that early day rightly judged
in regard TO tho most elective means OF suoduing
ths Rebellion. In proof Of that IL is only necessary
to refer TO the fact that bis successor when trans
ferred to another department, Issued proclamation
embodying the same principle. And the President,
US C0mmander-in-Chief OF the Army aud Navy, has
applied the same principle TO all the rebellious
States, aud few will deny that it must be adhered
TO until the last vestige OF treason and rebellion is
destroyed.
The administration Of Gen. Fremont was eminent
ly characterized by earnestness, ability, and the
most unquestionable loyalty. In the exercise Of
the almost unlimited power delegated to him. there
was no evidence Of any tenderness toward treason,
or any failure TO fully assert the dignity and power
of tho Government OF which he was the represent
alive.
The manner in which that power was exercised
was TO be udg ed by the results and the policy of
continuing him In command was q matter for the
a thoritle s above him To determine.