The New York herald., 1863-04-11
DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST.

nit the following report, with the accompanying test
mony. in relation 70 the Department Of the West
Your committee have been unable 10 take all tie test
mony necessary 10 enable them to present comprehen-
sive report relation the administration OF affairs in
under The command Of General John e. Fremont. Com.
peed 70 remain in attendance upon Congress during its
order take tho testimony witnesses thcre and they
did not feel willing to call from great distance the
Sas All Sa a 20 M
quired In the field Throud 4heir investigacns JOur
committee have strictly -Anssd to the rule adopted
those in the military service only when
deiriment to the public interests wouA result
from temporary absence from their commands.
When Congress closed its session last summer,
many OF those who had been actively engaged ia the
operations to which your committee desired to direct
their attention had been ordered other parts of the
country were in Tennessee and Mssi ssppi,
in Arkansas in the Army Of the Potomac and others
Such testimony within reach your committee
have taken. But they fully that their nvesti
CATION upon that subject has been far from complete and
they therefore, present but brief report together with
such testimony as they have obtained.
When the rebellion commenced, Missouri was one OF
the most turbulent among those states which the rebel
leaders sought to gain TO their by the c0nni
vance and reachery Of the State authorities and t the
Of armed forces operate upon the fears OF the
people The number Of federal troops in that region
very small great portion OF troops stationed in the
Territories ard military posts upon Western from
tier had been basey surrendered by Twiggs the rebels
in Texas. ST. LOUIS the great commercial emporium
State preserved from falling under rebel control
eral hen Captan) Lyon who, not waiting for orders
authority, occupied the United States Arsenal when
threatened by the traitor Governor Of the State and dis
persed tho rebel troops who collected the spa
cious name Of State Guards in camp Of instruction
st. Louis.
The difficulty under which our commanders there Ia.
bored in obtaining supplies OF arms clothing &c, for
volunteers was far greater than was felt in any other
part OF the country. Distant from all the principal de-
pots at time when the ability Of the government
taxed to the utmost to arm and equip the large number
volunteers called into the eld, those who were from
time time placed in charge of d0Dartnent w
compelled TO act nndsr the greatest disadvantages.
just previous to the appointments OF General Fremont
TO the command OF that department. the state OF affairs
in Missouri had become very alarming In every portion
Of the State the rebel forces had appeared and assumed
the Offensive all through the State they committing
their dcpredatons and Jackson Governor had sp-
peared with large force Of troops furnished by the rebel
he had % Collect IN Po an
rebel generals had collected large force from Tennessee
Kentucky &C. and were threatening the southwestern
portion Of the State and Cairo at the mouth Of the Ohio
General Lyon, who was tho highest officer In command
after the removal Of General Harney bad, with his
the purpose Of preventing Jackson with his superior
forces from getting possession Of the northern portion Of
In July General Fremont was assigned TO that com.
mand. He proceeded TO New York city, where he
spent days. endeavoring to arrange for supply
ing hts department with the arms, &C., which were
absolutely requisite He reached Louis on the 25th
Of July. General Pope who had been assigned tho
bic him the field General Lyon in the southwest
portion Of the State had been calling for reinforce
mente some Time Geu0rol
asking for reinforcements General Fremont first
forced Cairo as being the most pporant point situated
as It at the junction Of tho Ohio and Mississippi and
controlling the navigation OF those two rivers. The
bsr Of troops that be could obtain for that purpose
small but the enemy were ied to believe, BY the large
number OF steamboats, that went down from s. Louis,
that the reinforcement far greater than really
and Pillow who had force estimated at IL 900 men,
deferred making the attack he had contemplated
Csro being reinforced Gen. Fremont at took steps
10 send troops the assistance Of Gen. Lyon The number
Of the enemy opposed Lyon was almost overwhelm
Ing " that ba vould rofir
before them until he should meet supports He himself
soems TO have contemplated such movement for after
the affair Of Dug Springs, he retired 20 Springfield and
General sturgis testes that a that time General Lyon
expressed his convictions that renforcemens could
Upon reaching Springfield General Lyon halted his
forces and after waiting there four five days,
announced his intention TO march out and attack the ene
my. What influenced him In forming that deter
mnaon not well established by the testimony some
Of the officers have expressed their conviction that he ap
pretended that the enemy should he retire further from
them, would fall upon his and cripple him.
him to fight battle under great disadvantages His
brave spirit, doubtless led him meet the enemy he had
gone far reach and endeavor To nfict such blow
would lead them not 70 press very closely him.
Whatever his reasons have been he determined upon
the attack The battle fought at Wilson'S creek
the 10th of August and though the enemy ounumbcrcd
our forces four 10 one, our army WAS emineny
full
General Lyon fell leading a regiment TO the attack
His loss at that time most deeply felt Dying
soldier would wish to de- lighting for the cause Of his
country against those who seeking It's destruction
his example has exercised its influence upon those who
have since the glorious victories which have made
armies In the West so illustrious.
After that battle our forces retired to Rola the enemy
being severely punished that they followed only
had been started TO their relief but had been delayed Tor
want OF transportation.
In september Colonel Mullisan, who had been upon IN
expedition In the northern part OF the state, Obliged
20 fall back before the forces Of the enemy advancing
against him under General Price Colonel Mugan made
stand at Lexington and prepared 10 them, send
ing for reinforcements General Fremont upon hearing
Of Colonel Nuligans situation made arrangements TO
send troops to his assistance but rom various causes
they unable 10 reach him. and the enemy succeed
Ing n cutting OIL his supply Of water, hs Was compelled
u surrender.
shortly after this General Fremont determined 70
take the field in person. with all the forces he could col
lect together He was deficient In transportation; 70
much that the Aduant General of the army reported
70 the Secretary Of War General Fremont would be
unable 10 move. He did move however, and by Novem
Der succeeded @ n G reaching S sprnsssd III: enemy
Major zAgonyi who, with barely one hundred cavalry,
made the most brilliant charge Of tho war.
we're understood 70 be force the immediate neigh
brhood Of Springfield The day nxed and the order
was removed from the command and Gen. Hunter ap-
pointed As his successor.
Gen Hunter testhes that be became satisfied that the
enemy not 20 Gen. Fremont had supposed.
He determined therefore, 10 withdraw o. ~. Louis
which done and active operations In the state
In relation 70 the administration Of Gen. Fremont much
has been said about the high prices paid BY him for
other supplies, the unnecessary fertilization H.
LOUIS, delay Ia reinforcing points threatened by the
enemy, undue assumption Of authority, &c Your com.
mse but briefly notice those different points,
count Of their inability TO obtain full evidence In relation
10 them.
This much, aa least, appears TO be established
General Fremont, upon taking the command was
clothed with the most ample authority, and the
exigencies Of the department such that
much should be pardoned In compelled TO act no
promptly, and with little al his command. whether
that authority exercised IN all respects should
have beeD-whethsr General Fremont justified in All
that he did by the circumstances under which he was
called upon 70 actyour committee do not undertake 10
express positive opinion.
In relation the purchase Of arms kc IL appears that
the department very destitute OF supplies OF kinda
the demand was most pressing, and the government w
unable 70 supply IT, some OF the arms engaeed By Gcne
vrrted the Army Of the Potomacthe primary oblect
Of the government then being 10 collect and equip an army
nj Washington a. soon az could possibly be done. This
rendered the moro important that arms should be
obtained Yet with all that General Fremont deemed Il
proper 10 DO bis department long felt the want OF ads
quate supplies
in reference to the forthcatons about st. Louis Gen.