Year: 1861




made until after visit to the West of
Secretary Cameron, and a personal inves.
tiga,ion By him Of the affairs Of General
Fremont's Department. The grounds of
the removal are. general incompetency, and
extravagant and irregular expenditures of
money.


That this removal will produce a good
deal of excitement throughout the country,
and possibly some harm to our cause, is
highly probable, but We are confident that
before great while the action of the Presi-
dent will be generally sustained, as being
judicious and proper.


Objection may perhaps be justly made
to the manner in, and time at, which it was
done; but it is not likely that the pro-
priety of the act will ue successfully i'm
peached by the Court Martial which will
doubtless be ordered in the case.


The order to General Fremont to turn
over the command of his army to the second
in command reached him on the I'd inst,
at Springfield, Missouri, near the bloody
battle-ground of the 10th of August, and
at the very moment when he and bis army
were expecting an attack from the rebels
under Price, $4,000 strong. A telegraphic
dispatch to the associated press thus de
scribes the reception Of the order:


Yesterday small bodies Of the enemy
came within twelve miles Of US and news
was received of the approach of their ad
vance $4,000 strong. Preparations were
making to go out and attack them, when
Gen. Fremont received an order from
Washington relieving him at once from his
command. simultaneously came the news
papers announcing the fact. The intelli
gence spread like widfre through the camp
and created indescribable excitement and
indignation. Great numbers of officers
signified their intention Of resigning at
once and many companies laid down their
arms declaring they would not fight under
no one but Fremont The General spent
much Of the afternoon expostulating with
the officers and urging them by their pa
trioiism and their personal regard for him
not to abandon their posts. He also issued
the following order to the troops:
HEAD QUARTERS oFTHE v EsTERN Dept
SpRINGFIhLD, Mo-. Nov. Cd, 1861.


Soldiers of the Mississippi Army: Agree
able to orders this day received, | take
leave of you. Although our army has
been of sudden growth, we have grown up
together, and have become familiar with
the brave and generons spirits which you
bring to the defence of your country. and
which makes me anticipate for you bril-
liant career. Continue as you have begun
and give to my successor the same cordial
and enthusiastic support with which you
have encouraged me. Emulate the splen
did example which you have already given
and let me remain as am-proud of the
noble army which had thus far labored to
bring together. Soldiers, regret to leave
you, most sincerely l thank you for the re
gard and confidence you have invariably
shown to me. | deeply regret that shall
not have the honor to lead you to the vic
tory which you are just about to win, but
| shall! claim to share with you in the JOY
of every triumph and trust always to be
lfraternally remembered by my companions
III arms. J. c. Fremont,
| Mai Gen Commanding.


Feeling ran intensively high during the
whole of las, evening, and there were NEE
tings almost every where.


The various bands serenaded the Gener-
al, and whenever he appeared he'was gree
ted with cheers. Though notifying Gen.
Hunter as his order directed, be had no
longer COMMAND over the troops. he spent
several hours in making a personal exami-
nation Of the grour.d about the city to be
prepared. and in accordance with written
request from all the Brigadier Generals, he
remained through the night to lead the army
in case of an attack. All the troops slept
on their arms, many officers remained up
all night, and an attack was hourly expect
ed but nothing more occurred than the
firing Ay our troops on two different roads.


The enemy are now encamped on the
old Wilson Creek battle ground.


Gen. Fremont prepared to leave for St.
Louis aud will 90 as soon as Gen Pope ar
rives who has been sent forward and will
take command until Gen. Hunter gets here
Universal gloom pervades throughout the
camp.


A battle will undoubtedly occur ere long.
Our troops will meet the enemy firmly, but
they are disheartened and have lost their
enthusiasm


The Body Guard who could not have
beef induced to remain, and who will now
dis ba ID, as the terms of their enlistment
permit, accompany Gen. Fremont, and also
lis entire staff including Gen. Ash th, the