The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-04-22
Second Report Of the COmniittse o" the
COnducf Of the War.

NEW YORK. April 9.
Part second Of the Report OF The Committee
on tue Conduct Of the War Is issued II EN-
braces the battles Of Bull Run and Balls b III.
Ia relation 10 the former. the Committee states
thai the great error Of that campaign was the
failure to occupy Centrvvile and Manas- a.
when Alexandra was occupied. IN May. The
forces which opposed Us we're mostly COLLECTED
and brought u Manassas in Juue aud July.
The three months meD could have made Ma
nassas easily delens.0le against any force the
eoemy could have brou sht against t, aud it is
not al all probable that The rebel forces would
have been advanced from the line OF the Rap
pananuock, had Manassas been occupied by our
troops The next cause Of disaster Vas The
delay ia proceeding against the enemy until
the time Of the three months men expired,
aud when the movement Vas hnaily determined
upon much vas needed to render the troops
efhcient Little time had been devoted dis
cipiining them, even regiments. Hardly a0y
Instructions had been gwen IN reference 10
Brigade Movements, and none al all as Dlyis
ions. Tue principal Cause Of our defeat wa
the failure OF Gen. Patterson to hold the forces
OF Johnson in the Shenandoah valley.
La relation 10 the battle VI Balls Bluff, the
Committee, alter giving an account Of the en-
gageueut, &C, say All The testimv-y goes 10
prove that the meaus OF transportation were
very Inadequate. Gen. Stone, while inclined
to deem It sufficient, leit much to the Judgment
OF others, aud this much can be said Tor him
that be received no IntimatlOn that movement
across the river would b. expected from hun
or would be Justified. ill the day before 1t
actually made, and the Committee adds that
the reason be had for supposing other forces
were within a short distance TO reader him
Estance, are set forth in a previous portion OF
tl.. Of
Geo, Mccall TO Drainesville for the purpose OF
accommodating the country
In reference to reinforcing Col. Baker, the
testimony was very conflicting. Gen. Stone
testIhrs that he received no information IRON
Col. Baker that he needed reiniOrcements; that
he received little. If any information IRON
Col. Baker in reference 10 affairs at Balls
Bluff and even If rciDfoTcements had been
needed, they could not have been sent up o.
the Virginia side IN consequence Ot the cue
my's earthwOrks and batteries between Ed
wards Ferry. aud Balls Bull. Some Other
witnesses testify to the same effect. Others
say there was no obstacle 10 our troops passing
up the Virginia side The Committee refrain
from expressing a positive opinion on this
point
Part third embraces the Department of the
West The Committee say thes have been un
able 10 collect the necessary testimony in this
Department, particularly while under command
Of Gen. Fremont. on account Of the great dis
tances of witnesses. La relation TO the admin
istrauon Of Gen. Fremont the Committee saws
much shou pardoned in One compelled
to act 50 pTJAP-y aad w,tn - little al his com
mand. some Ol tie Is engaged by Fremont
for his department wee diverted to the Army
OF the Potomac by the Government, and bis
department long iet the want of All adequate
eunnlV A. In the forrlut-afious around
LOUIS Gen. Fremont but carried out what Gen
LyOu deemed necessary. As 10 The manner in
winch L was dOue, tbs Committee fOrDear ex.
pressing an OPINION. In regard TO Reinforcing
promptly points threatened by the enemy. the
Committee believe Fremont acted with energy
and prOmptuess. Troops were collected by
HIM sOOn could be dOne, aud promptly
scot where their services were demanded
Some were diverted 10 O.ber purposes The
Government called on him for troops to be sent
East at time when be was most earnestly
engaged in procuring forces for the assistance
OF Mullgan. Those that were left be sent
promptly, and only failed to render assistance
needed from causes over which Fremont had no
control Fremont perceived the advantage to
result from gunboats for western rivers aud
the brilliant victories in the West bear endur-
ing testimony TO the correctness OF hisJud gnent
The COmmIttee think FremOnt's Emancipation
Proclamation. at that e.rly day, was the most
efficient means for crushing the rebellion. In
proof OF which 10 is only necessary to state that
his successor. when transferred 10 another de
partmeut issued proclamation emOodylng the
same principles aud the President as com
mander in>chief, has applied the same princi
pie 10 the rebellious States. On the whole
the administration OF Fremont was eminently
characterized by earnestness, ability and
loyalty.