The Portland daily press., 1863-01-02
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from Washington.
Correspondence of the Press

Gen. Fremont in Wdshington-His Missouri
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of 81. Louis-1he
Presidency seekers, annoyed by his Pro-
ctamdtion, drag him doarn-C Command in
Virginia- Splendid campaign IN the rduey
of The Shendndodh-He seeks StonelcaH
Jacksons back - Shields undccountdbie
failure to cooperate-The ddreat of Pope
-Fremonfs knoiciedge Of him leads him
TO dectine command under him Eremonts
speech at Boston, also at st. Louis-Mc-
Cteitan for Generdl-in-chief, Fremont for
the field m
WASHINGTON, Dec. "A, 1862.
Among the visitors at Washington lately
has been Gen. Fremont. He has been well
received, and il is understood that he enjoyed,
If we may use that term protracted inter-
view with the President.
Gen, Fremont's ability will be recognized in
due time. He was unfortunate in Missouri,
from the fact that he had too much to do and,
in one respect at least, did too much. Every
unprejudiced person who was on the spot dur
ing the term of his service in Missouri, asserts
that his measures, il they did not of them
selves save the State to the Union, had much
to do with such result Ii was prepared 10 be
a secession State, aud was made loyal only by
prompt and energetic action. His fortifica-
tion of st. Louis, Of the extravaganza of
which SO much talk has been made put beyond
dispute the possession of the city by our army.
The works cost S500,0O0 Those about WASH
ington cost S100000,000. That either city
. should be fortified was prudent-indeed indis-
pensabe. His proclamation in Missouri,
threatening with the loss of their slaves all
who should be found in arms against the gov
ernment, was wise and timely measure. At
the time at which it was adopted however, the
formidable nature of the rebellion was not APP
preciated by those in high places. Itwas then
thought that we were engaged in pleasant
10 IL N
be agreeably subordinated, with immense dec
lamation about the "Flag of the Free" and
penriful enjoyment of shoulder-straps, to the
man5 business of politics in America, TO
wit: President-making. The notice which, in
view OF the late issue, was attracted by this
proclamation TO Gen. Fremont, was not entire
ly satisfactory to certain persons who were
willing to be candidates for the high place
which Mr.. Lincoln now occupies. Gen. FREE
mont was struck down and, shortly after, the
late Secretary Cameron who accompanied by
Adjutant General Thomas. had gone to st.
Louis and slain the Nemean lion, arrayed
himself in the skin and roared the same roar
John Cochrane assisted ia the roaring. In
other words, Mr.. Cameron "came OUT in ia
vor of the emancipation policy, making a
speech to that effect to a serenading party one
evening here, in which he was followed by
John Cochrane, one of those military politici-
ans who are always prompt to discover
the quarter whence the popular breeze may be
setting.
The newspaper press of the country which
so often boasts its power--a power which it is
too apt to exercise only in the direction of the
pecuniary or other personal aims of its con-
ductors--was not intrepid enough to vindicate
Gen. Fremont at that time. 1t saw him fall
amid the whirl of events, and went on to
make its Sensations of easier material
Again, he was ordered to command in Wes-
s,.tA H., Il -.
mond by the Staunton line, in aid of McCel-
lan's attack by the line of the Chckahominy,
when Jackson made his sudden movement in
to the valley of the Shenandoah.
On this occasion he was placed in command
of the army of the Shenandoah, comprising
his own, Banks and McDowel's corps. Banks
forces were routed and driven up the Poto-
mac before the junction could possibly be
made, and, in fact, before it was ordered. FIRE.
mont was at Franklin on the South Branch of
the Potomac, when he received orders to
march across, due cast, and by given day TO
Join McDowells command at a point on the
Shenandoah. The road across was little bet
ter than a cow-path. 1t was by no means
practicable for artillery Besides, his provis-
ions were one or two days march to the north
of him, to wait for which would retard his
progress. He therefore moved north on
good roads, then east, then south, till he reach
ed the designated point. He was ordered 20
arrive by the 11th. BY forced marches such as
have not been surpassed in celebrity in the his
tory of the war, mot even on the rebel side) he
reached his destination on the 10th-one day
in advance of the time appointed at Washing
ton, though he had marched one hundred and
twenty-five miles instead Of fifty miles, the dis
tance estimated by the authorities here as nec-
essary TO be travelled. jackson retreated be-
fore him. He followed close upon him, caught
up with his rear guard once or twice, and H.
nally came up with his main body at Gross
Keys, fought splendid battle, beat and routed
Jackson. Fremont had in this march 1000t
men. How many Jackson had is not ascer
tained, but it is known that he dragged fifty
pieces OF cannon through Winchester-artl
lery sufficient for an army of twenty-five oi
thirty thousand men. But, however numer
Gus his army, he showed Gen. Fremont an in
dignity which he has done to no other of our
Generals. He turned his back upon him,
1t will be understood that Fremont came in
to communication with Shields division o
McDowell's corps, at point on the Shenan
doah. Shields, as was arranged. followed an
the east side of the Shenandoah, while Ere
mont pursued Jackson up the west 1t wa.
expected, and reasonably too, for the way OIL
the east side was shorter, and moreover will
no enemy to impede it, that Shields would b.
able TO reach Post Repnblic,-where was tn
bridge by which jackson was to escape out O
the valley,-in season to dispute his passag
while Fremont pressed him in rear On tn