Year: 1861

Week after week. for a month past, have come
announcements that Fremont was, or would be


removed and as often came the contradiction.


Just as we were ready to print, last week, O
dispatch was received to the effect that on the
the I'd inst, and when great battle was momen


tarily expected, Fremont had received an order
from Washington relieving him at once from his
command. The intelligence created the most in.


tense excitement and Indignation among the SOL
diers of his army, and iusubordination appeared
inevitable. The General expostulated with bis
officers and men, urging them by their love oil
country not to abandon their posts, and to them
issued the following farewell order


HEADQUARTERS OF THE WESTERN DEPARTMENT !
Springfield, Mo-, Nov. ?, 1861. I


Soldiers of the Mississippi Army Agreeably
to orders this day received, | take leave of you.
Altho' our army has been of sudden growth, we
have grown up together and | have become
familiar with the brave and generous spirits
which you bring to the defense of your country,
and which makes me anticipate for you brilliant
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 splendid example which you have
already given, and let me remain, as | am, proud
of the noble army which have thus far laborcd
TO bring together.


Soldiers | regret to leave you. Most sincere,
ly | thank You for the regard and confidence
you have invariably shown to me. | deeply re-
gret that | shall not have the honor to lead you
to the victory 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 fraternal-
ly remembered by my companions in arms.
]. c. FREMONT.


What will be the consequences of Fremont's s
removal from the command of the Western De-
partment remains to be seen. Certain it is that
the move has created widespread and general
dissatisfaction. The circumstances which would
authorize it, situated as he was, in hourly eXpec-
taton of an attack, must have been urgent in the
extreme, and we have perfect confidence that the
Administration is in possession of facts which
will warrant the measure.


Gen. Fremont had, thus far, performed the du-
ties of his position in most vigorous and ener-
gctc manner, and so far as we are able to Judge,
deserves well Of his country, and has merited the
appreciation and confidence of the Government.
His fall from the high position he so lately occu-
pied. whether from political or other causes be-
speaks for him the sympathy of his admirers on
this coast, as we'll as in his old home, the more
enthusiastic of whom feel sore in consequ ence.
But we should be aware that his removal could
not have been effected without good cause, which
will eventually transpire, till which time candor
will suspend Judgment, and if the Administration
has proved recreant to the high trust therein re-
posed by the people of the nation, it will merit
condemnation, if not, it will deserve the praise
which is at all times awarded to prompt action
in times OF danger.


As to the proprety or improperly of recalling
an officer when in the face of an enemy, we can
not be the judge. but presume that provision was
made to meet the emergency. Gen. Fremont ap-
pears TO have had the confidence and affection of
his subalterns and soldiers and addressed them
on taking his leave in language which proves
him a true soldier, and one who desired the well
fare Of the cause he had espouscd. That the ar
my he has left will be defeated is more proba-
Bile by of his departure than if he was still
at their head, since action will, for the moment at
least, obliterate all cause of diicontent. Men are
not apt to prove recreant to noble duty from
mere personal or political reasons.