large amounts of
forage from St. Louis to.... where corn was abundant and very cheap. The
distance was 160 miles. He gave the indebtedness of the Quartermaster's
Department in St. Louis to be $4,606,809.73.

By direction of Gen. Meigs, advertisements were made to furnish grain
and hay, and contracts made for specific sums--28 cents per bushel for
corn, 30 cents for oats, and $17.95 per ton for hay. In face of this
another party at St. Louis--Balrd, or Baird A Palmer (Palmer being of
the old firm in California of Palmer, Cook & Co.)--were directed to
send to Jefferson City (where hay and corn abound) as fast as possible
100,000 bushels of oats, with a corresponding amount of hay, at 33 cents
per bushel for grain and $19 per ton for hay.

Capt Edward M. Davis, a member of his staff, received a contract by the
direct order of Gen. Fremont for blankets. They were examined by a board
of army officers consisting of Capt Hendershott, 4th U. S. Art,
Capt Haines, Commissary of Subsistence, and Capt Turnley, Assistant
Quartermaster. The blankets were found to be made of cotton and were
rotten and worthless. Notwithstanding this decision they were purchased,
and given to the sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals.

One week after the receipt of the President's order modifying Gen.
Fremont's proclamation relative to emancipation of slaves, Gen. Fremont
by note to Capt McKeever, required him to have 200 copies of the
original proclamation and address to the army, of same date, printed
and sent immediately to Ironton, for the use of Maj. Gavitt, Indiana
Cavalry, for distribution through the country. Capt McKeever had the
copies printed and delivered. The order is as follows:

"Adjutant-General will have 200 copies of proclamation of
Commanding General, dated Aug. 30, together with the address
to the army of same date, sent immediately to Iron-ton, for
the use of Maj. Gavitt Indiana Cavalry. Maj. Gavitt will
distribute it through the country.

"J. C. Ft.

"Commanding General.

"Sept. 23, 1861."

As soon as I obtained a view of the several encampments at Tipton,
I expressed the opinion that the forces there assembled could not be
moved, as scarcely any means of transportation were visible. I saw Gen.
Hunter, second in command, and conversed freely with him. He stated that
there was great confusion, and that Fremont was utterly incompetent;
that his own division was greatly scattered, a