The fued between President Lincoln and General John Fremont came to a head this week. In spite ot Fremont's victory at Lexington, the president was tired of Fremont's contuned attempts to emanciapte Missouri's slaves, in defiance of Mr. Lincoln's position on the matter, caused Fremont's dismissal. General David Hunter was assigned to take Fremont's place as commander of the division of Missouri.
Almost simultaneously, General Winfield Scott resigned his command of the U. S. Army, saying it was in the best interest of the country that he do so. The crusty old general who was a veteran of the war of 1812, the Blackhawk War, the Seminole War and the Mexican war and was now 75 years old, had been receiving criticism from the radicals in Congress. General McClellan was also very critical of General Scott. Ironically, Mr. Lincoln appointed General George McClellan to take Scott's duties as commander of the Union forces. The president praised General Scott's faithful service to the Union.
Mr. Lincoln also appointed a three man military commission to examine the financial affairs of the western department. Those appointed included Joseph Holt of Kentucky, David Davis of Illinois and Thomas Benton of Missouri. Judge Davis had been the circuit court judge for Mr. Lincoln and myself for the 8th circuit of Illinois.
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