Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-04-10
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE
CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

n
Part second Of the repOrs OF the Committee on
the Conduct of the War 5 issued. It embraces
the battles Of Bull Run AMI Balrs Bluff. In re-
lation to the former, the Committee states that
the great error Of the campaign was the failure
to occupy Centrevlle and Manassas. When Al
exandra was occupied in May, the forces which
opposed US was mostly col ieeted and brought
TO Manassas IN June and July The three
months men could have made Manassas easily
defensible against any force that could have
been brought aglinst and It is not all probable
that the rebel 70 ees would have been advanced
from the line Of the RappahannOck had Manas-
sas been occupied by our troops.
The cause Of disaster was the delay in pro-
ceedlng against the enemy until the time Of the
three months men expired, and when the move
ment was finally determined upon, much was
needed TO render the troops efficient. Little
time had been devoted to disciplning them,
Even - regiments, hardly any instruction had
been given in reference to brigade movements,
and none at a.! as divisions. The principal cause
of our defeat was the failure Of General Patter-
son to hold the forces Of johnson in the Shenan-
dOah valley.
In relation to the battle of Rall's Bluff the
Committee, after giving an .Seeount OF the en-
gagement, ETC., SAYS: All the testimony goes
TO prove that the means Of transp 1rtaton we're
very inadequate. General Stone, whlie inclined
to deem it sufficient, left much to the judgment
Of others; and this much can said be for nup
that he received no intimatiOn that a movement
across the river would be expected from him, or
would be justified, until the daY before it was
actually made; and the COMMITTEES adds, the rea-
within q short distance to render him assistance,
are set forth in previous portion Of the report.
This relates to the movements Of General Nc
nolterng the country.
In reference to reinforcing Colonel Baker the
testimony was very conflicting General Stono
testlhes that he recelged no intim alton trom
Colonel Baker that he needed reinf0rcements-
That he received httleif any information from
Col. Baker IN reference TO aihiIs at Balls Bluff,
and even II reinfOrcements had been needed
% he
side in consequence Of the enemys earth
works and batteries between Edwards Ferry
and Balls Bluff
some other witnesses testify to the same effect;
others say there was no obstacle to our troops
passing up on the Virginia side The Commit
tee refrains nom expressing positive opinion on
In reference to the arrest Of General Stone,
the Committee say they informed Seeret etaTits
Cameron and stanton that some explanation
by stone was required He appeared before the
Committee and made explanations on general
terms concerning the testimony against him in
regard 70 undue Intercourse with the enemy, &c.
The Committees reported to the Secretary Of
War that the testimony was conflicting, without
any recommendation as to what should be done
It afterwards appeared from the testimony that
General Stone was arrested on the order Of the
Secretary Of War for the reason that he had been
informed by members of the Committee on tn
Conduct Of the War that they had testimony go
ing to shOW that he had been guilty Of conduct
not consistent with Loyalty.
General Stone since his release, has been per-
mitted TO examine all the testimony, and de-
manded that he be furnished with copy OF the
charges against him. Why this request was not
granted the Committee is uniformed
Part Sd embraces the Department OF the West.
The Committee says it has been unable 70 collect
the necessary testimony IN TINS department.
particularly while under command OF General
Fremont on account Of the great distance oi
witnesses.
In relation to the administration Of Fremont
the Committee says much should be pardoned
in one compelled 70 act so promptly and with so
, little at his command. Some OF the arms en-
gagged by Fremont for his department were di-
veTted to the rmy Of the Potomac BY the Co
e vnment, and his department long felt the want
of any adequate supply.
A to the fOriifcations around st. Louis, Fre-
mon but carried out what Cen Lyon deemed
neresoary. As TO the manner in which It was
done tn g COMMITTEES forbear expressing an opin-
ion.
threatened bV the enemy, the COMMITTEES De-
lisved Fremont acted with energy and prompt
ness. Troops we Se collected by I'm as soon as
could be done and promptly sent " 1e5e @ thel5
services were demanded Some were a. -
to other purposes. The Government called -
him for troops to be sent east, at a time when he
was most earnestly engaged in procuring forces
for the assistance Of Mulhgan. Those that we're
left he sent promptly, and only failed to render
assistance needed from causes over which Ere
mont had no control,
Fremont perceived the advantage to result
from gunbOats for the Western rivers and bril-
Liant victories In the West bring enduring testi-
mony to the correctness Of his Judgment
The Committee thinks FremOnt's emancipa-
ton proclamation at that early day was the most
efficient means for crushing the rebellion, in
proof OF which it issonly necessary 10 state that
h 5 successor, when transferred to another de-
partment, issued proclamation embodylng the
same principle, and the President as Comman-
der-in- Chief has applied the same principle 70
the rebeIlious States.
Ol tue whole the administration Of Fremont
was eminently characterized by earnest ability
and LOYALTY.