Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-10
The War Committee an Bull Run, Balls
BInfF, the Arrest of Gen. stone, and
GEN. Fremont in Missouri.

BInT, the Arrest of Gen. stone, and
Gen. Fremont in Missouri.
New YORK, April 9.-Part second OF the
report of the committee on the conduct Of the
war is issued. 1t embraces the battles of Bull
Run and Balls Bluff. In relation to the for
mer the committee state that the great error
of that campaign was the failure to occupy
Centreville and Manassas when Alexandria
was occupied, in May. The forces which
opposed us were mostly collected and brought
to Manassas in June and july The three
months men could have made Manassas
easily defensible against any force the enc
my could have brought against it, and it is
not at all probable that the rebel forces
would have been advanced beyond the line
of the Rappahannock had Manassas been
occupied by our troops.
The next cause of the disaster was the
delay in proceeding against the enemy till
the time Of the three months men had
nearly expired; and when the move
ment was at last finally determined
upon much was needed to render the troops
efficient as little time had been devoted to
dscipling them even as regiments. Hardly
any instructions had been given in reference
to brigade movements, and none at all as di-
visions. The principal cause of cur defeat
was the failure of General Patterson to hold
the forces of Johnson in the Shenandoah val
ley.
In relation to the battle of Balls Bluff, the
committee, after giving an account of the en-
gagement, &C., say that all the testimony goes
to prove that the means of transportation were
very inadequate. Gen. Stone, while inclined
to deem it sufficient, left much to the judy
ment of others, and this much can be said for
him, he received no intimation that Il move
4 1
him, or would be justified until the day before
it was actually made; and the committee add
the reasons he had for supposing that other
forces were within short distance to render
him assistance. They are set forth in the pre-
vious portion of this report. This relates to
the movement of Gen Mccall to Draines-
vile for the purpose of accommodating the
country.
In referenceto reinforcing Col. Baker, the
testimony is very conflicting. Gen. Stone
teStiiles that he received no intimation from
Col Baker that he needed reinforcements
that he received little if any information from
Col Baker in reference to affairs at Balls
Bluff; and even if reinforcemcnts had been
needed, they could not have been sent up on
the Virginia side in consequence of the enc
my'S eartbworks and batteries between Ed
wards Ferry and Balls Bluff. Some other
witness testify to the same effect. Others say
there was no obstacle to our troops passing up
on the Virginia side. The committee refrain
from expressing positive opinion on this point.
In reference to the arrest of Gen. Stone, the
committee say they informed secretaries
Cameron and Stanton that some explanation
by Gen. Stone was required. He appeared
before the committee and made an explana-
ton in general terms concerning the testimo-
nv atyuinst him in ri IN int
with the enemy, &c. The committee report
ed to the secretary of war that the testimony
was conflicting, without any Recommendation
as to what should be done. 1t afterward APP
peared from testimony of Gen. Mcclellan that
Gen. Stone was arrested on written order of
the secretary of war, for the reason that he
had been informed by members of the COM
mittee on the conduct of tile war that they had
taken testimony going to show that he had
been guilty Of conduct not consistent with 10y
atty. Gen. Stone, since his release, has been
permitted to examine the testimony, and de-
manded that he be furnished with a copy of
the charges against him. Why this request
was not granted the committee are unin-
formed.
Part third embraces the department. of the
west. The committee say they have been I'M
able to collect the necessary testimony for
this department, particularly while under COM
mand Of General Fremont, on account of the
great distance from the witnesses. The COM
mittee review the history Of the rebellion in
Missouri, and compliment Gen. Lyon, who by
prompt fearless course preserved st. Louis,
dispersed the rebel state guards, and occupied
the arsenal when threatened by the traitor
governor.
In relation to the administration of Ere
mont they say that much should be pardoned
in one compelled to act so promptly, and with
so little at his command. Some of the arms
engaged by Fremont for his department. were
diverted to the army of the Potomac by the
government; and his department long felt the
want of an adequate supply As to the forti-
ications around st. Louis, Fremont only car
ried out what Lyon deemed necessary. As
to the manner in which it was done, the
committee forbear giving an opinion.
In regard to reinforcing promptly points
threatened by the enemy, it is believed that
Fremont acted with energy and promptness.
Troops were collected by him, as soon as it
could be done, and promptly sent where their
service was demanded. Some of themwere d.
verted to other purposes. The government
called upon him for troops to be sent east,
at the time when he was most earnestly en-
gagged in procuring forces for the assistance
of Col. Mulligan. Those that were left he
sent promptly, and only failed to render the
assistance needed from causes over which he
Fremont had no control.
Fremont perceived the advantages to result
from gunboats for the western rivers, and the
brilliant victories at the west bear enduring
testimony to the correctness of his Judgment
The committee think Fremont's emancipa-
ton proclamation at that early day the most
effective means of crushing the rebellion.
In proof of this. it is only necessary to state
that his successor, when transferred to an
other department, issued proclamation en-
bodying the same principles; and the presi-
dent, as commander-in-chief, has applied the
same principle to the rebellious states On
the whole, the administration of Fremont
was eminently characterized by earnestness,
ability, and most nnquestionable loyalty.
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