Prominent American explorer, military officer, and politician (1813–1890) who mapped the Oregon Trail, played a prominent part in conquering California during the Mexican War, and ran in 1856 as the first Republican presidential candidate. War-dated LS signed “J. C. Fremont, Maj. Genl Commdg,” one page, 9.25 x 11, Head Quarters Western Department letterhead, September 21, 1861. Letter to Colonel E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant-General. In full: “Giving to the pressing necessities of public service in this Department, and the entire occupation of all my time in attention to that service, as well as the preparations for an advanced movement against the enemy, that I propose to make on Monday next, to be headed by myself in person. I find it impossible to prepare and send you, before I leave St. Louis, the changes and specifications against Col. Frank P. Blair, to which I had the honor to refer in my telegram addressed to you, under date of the 15th current.” A docketing panel has been affixed to the reverse. In good to very good condition, with tape repairs to reverse of horizontal folds, small area of repair to paper loss affecting a single word of text, light overall toning, a bit heavier along folds, several creases, and a light brush to Fremont’s rank.
In early September 1861, Colonel Blair, a ruthless Missouri politician and friend to Lincoln, charged Fremont with neglect of duty, disobedience, conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and misappropriation of taxpayer dollars. The general countered on September 17, having Blair arrested for "insubordination" and "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman," accusing the colonel of "assailing his [Fremont's] public character, charging him with inability and inefficiency." Fremont also charged the colonel of writing his brother, Montgomery Blair, a member of the president's cabinet, to use his influence to have the general dismissed as Commanding General of the Western Division of the Army. Lincoln was already furious with the commander's August 30 proclamation freeing all slaves in Missouri before consulting with his administration. It was seen a deadly threat, potentially shifting neutral slave-holding southern states like Missouri to the Confederate cause, thus endangering the fragile Union. Lincoln ordered Fremont to retract his hasty announcement, but the general refused, and the Commander-in-Chief publicly rescinded Fremont's proclamation and dismissed Fremont from service on November 2, 1861, vindicating Blair. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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