Frémont is relieved of command due to…
November 1861 CE
Frémont is relieved of command due to his attempt to emancipate the slaves of rebellious slave holders and replaced by David Hunter on November 2.
Hunter, a major in 1860, was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and he began a correspondence with Abraham Lincoln, focusing on Hunter's strong anti-slavery views.
This relationship has long-lasting political effects, the first of which had been an invitation to ride on Lincoln's inaugural train from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, D.C., in February 1861.
During this duty, Hunter suffered a dislocated collarbone at Buffalo, due to a crowd pressing the president-elect.
Soon after the firing on Fort Sumter, Hunter had been promoted to colonel of the 6th U.S. Cavalry, but three days later (May 17, 1861), his political connection to the Lincoln administration bore fruit and he was appointed the fourth-ranking brigadier general of volunteers, commanding a brigade in the Department of Washington.
He was wounded in the neck and cheek while commanding a division under Irvin McDowell at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861.
In August, he had been promoted to major general of volunteers.
He has been served as a division commander in the Western Army under Frémont.