Τ Η Ε

ARSENAL PROPERTY

BECURED.

159

Convention of the

Secared.

to peace, formidable in power,* and impla- A large and enthusiastic

Union Strength. cable in its hostility to the Union.

“Union Peace Meeting" Governor Jackson (April was held at Jefferson City, the State Capital,

220) called an extra ses- on the evening of April 24th-on which ocLegislature.

sion of the Legislature to casion the speakers assumed strong grounds convene Thursday, May 2d, “for the purpose against the designs of the Secessionists of the of enacting such laws and adopting such State. Similar meetings were arranged for measures as may be necessary for the more at Lexington, St. Joseph and other points ; perfect organization and equipment of the but which, in most instances, were broken up militia of this State, and raise money and by the violence of the Secessionists. such other means as may be required to place On the night of April

The Arsenal Property the State in a proper attitude of defense.” | 25th, by order from the War Thie Adjutant-General, Hough, issued orders Department, the arsenal at to the commanding officers to assemble their St. Louis was emptied of its valuable conrespective commands on the 3d of May, to go tents, which were borne to Alton, Illinois, to encampment for six days, as provided by and thence to Springfield, as a place of lau. The strength, organization and equip- safety. This affair was executed with great ments of the several commands were to be rapidity and secrecy, by Captain Jas. H. reported at once to head-quarters, and the Stokes. Governor Yates having obtained a Division Inspectors were required to give all requisition from the Department for ten thouinformation respecting the condition of the sand muskets then in the St. Louis arsenal, State forces. This, in view of the refusal of committed to Captain Stokes the task of sethe Governor to respond to the President's curing them. As the arsenal, at all times, call, foreshadowed the treasonable designs of was surrounded by a secession mob, and a those in authority. These various designs large force of the “State Guard” had been were, however, quite counterbalanced by the ordered to encamp in the vicinity of the prerapid action of the Unionists, who, without mises with the evident purpose of seizing the thie Governor's consent, responded to the property and its surroundings, the removal President's requisition, as stated in the foot- became a matter of great importance if a note on the previous page. Colonel Frank P. collision would be avoided. Communicating Blair assumed command of the First Missouri with Captain Lyon, arrangements were perVolunteer regiment, April 24th. Four other fected by which the entire stores of arms, regiments, at that date, were in process of munitions, &c.—being 20,000 muskets, 500 formation in St. Louis,

new rifled carbines, 500 revolvers, 110,000 * How powerful the secession feeling was in South musket cartridges, cannon and miscellaneous eastern Missouri will be inferred by the forced sus. accoutrements--were placed on a steamer and pension of Judge Jackson's Circuit Court session. run to Alton with all possible expedition. The Judge, in view of the treason bubbling up all At Alton the alarm fire-bell was rung, which around him, caused an order to issue, requiring all brought all classes of citizens to the levee, attorneys practicing before his Court to renew the when Captain Stokes informed the crowd of oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the United the nature of his cargo, asking and obtaining Suites, on pain of being prohibited to appear as

their ready aid to place it on the cars for counsel in civil or criminal suits. At Greenville,

Springfield. He apprehended pursuit by the Wayne county, the attorneys took the oath, though with much reluctance; but at Doniphan, in Ripley

revolutionists, who were thus suddenly and coinity, on the 22d of April, the lawyers refused the unexpectedly deprived of their much-counted oath; the citizens took possession of the offices of

upon equipments for active field service. the sheritřand Clerk, and refused to allow the Court Seven thousand rifles and muskets only were to vit. A meeting was held denouncing the order of left in the arsenal for the volunteers, and the Judge, and asking him to revoke it. The St. these were soon in their keeping. Thus, as Louis Democrat pointedly observed : "Judge Albert the Illinois men said, “the rebels were euJakson never revokes. He plays as clean and chred” in a manner which disconcerted them close a handi as ever won in the world."

The Governor's Mes

sage of Treason.

The Governor's Mes

sage of Treason.

as greatly as it gratified the friends of the the subtle music to charm General Government.

the unwary. In advance a The extra session of the declaration had been given Legislature called by Gov- publicity in the St. Louis Republican, that the

ernor Jackson assembled Governor had stated his policy to be one of May 3d. The Governor's Message was read to peace—that he had convened the Legislature both Houses. In the course of the document for the purpose of organizing more perfectly it was said that the President, “in calling the militia, and putting the State in a proper out troops to subdue the Seceded States had | attitude of defense--that he had told Sterling threatened civil war," that his act, therefore, Price, President of the State Committee, that

was unconstitutional and illegal, tending that body ought not to be called together towards a consolidated deşpotism.” Though for the passage of any Secession Ordinance the Governor evidently accepted the right of that he was in favor of retaining the present a State to secede at will, he did not openly status of the State, leaving it to circumstanurge Missouri into that step. He said: “Ources, as they arise, to determine the best course interests and sympathies are identical with for Missouri to pursue. The steps soon taken those of the Slaveholding States, and neces- by the Legislature to place in the Governor's sarily unite our destiny with theirs. The hands all the materiel for revolutionary sucsimilarity of our social and political institu- cess, and the military organization quickly tions, our industrial interests, our sympathies, resorted to, to overawe and repress the raphabits and tastes, our common origin, terri- idly rising Union sentiment, were palpable torial congruity, all concur in pointing out evidences of the drift of the State toward the our duty in regard to the separation now Southern Confederacy, where the Governor's taking place between the States of the old and the State Committee's sympathy all lay. Federal Union."

The formation of the He added: “Missouri has at this time no camp on the outskirts of

Captain Lyon's Cap

ture of Camp Jackson. war to prosecute. It is not her policy to St. Louis, under the orders make an aggression, but in the present state of Adjutant-General Hough, was regarded as of the country she would be faithless to her so inimical to the stability of the authority of honor, recreant to her duty, were she to hesi- the General Government, and so dangerous tate a moment in making the most ample to the peace of St. Louis, that Captain Lyon, preparation for the protection of her people at the head of six thousand volunteers, with against the aggression of all assailants. I, a battery, on May 10th, surrounded the camp therefore, recommend an appropriation of a and took the entire brigade prisoners. The sufficient sum of money to place the State, at letter of Captain Lyon, to General Frost, comthe earliest practicable moment, in a complete manding the Militia camp, explains the constate of defense."

dition of affairs at that time. It reads: In concluding he said: “Permit me to ap

“ HEAD-QUARTERS U. S. Troops, 1 peal to you, and through you, to the whole

“St. Louis, May 10th, 1861, people of the State, to do nothing imprudent- “ To General D. M. FROST-Sir: Your command ly precipitately. We have a most solemn is regarded as evidently hostile towards the Govern. duty to perform. Let us, then, calmly reason ment of the United States. It is, for the most part, one with another, avoid all passion and ten-made up of those Secessionists who have openly dency to tumult and disorder, obey implicit- avowed their hostility to the General Government,

and have been plotting at the seizure of its properly the constituted authorities, and endeavor ultimately to unite all our citizens in a cor- ty, and the overthrow of its authority.

You are openly in communication with the sa dial co-operation for the preservation of our

called Southern Confederacy, which is now at war honor, the security of our property, and the with the United States; and you are receiving at performance of all those high duties imposed your camp from the said Confederacy, under its flag, upon us by our obligations to our families, large supplies of material of war, most of which is our country and our God.”

known to be the property of the United States. These apparently conciliatory terms were “ These extraordinary preparations plainly indiGENERAL IARNEY'S DOING8.

161

Assault of the Mob.

cate none other than the well-known purpose of the , until the abuse and violence of the mob beGovernor of this State, under whose orders you are came intolerable. The seizure of this profesacting, and whose purpose, recently communicated sedły State force and its equipments was a to the Legislature, has just been responded to by heavy blow to the revolutionists. That they that body, in the most unparalleled legislation, having in direct view hostilities to the General Govern designed to fall upon the city and to act as

Captain Lyon indicated, was confirmed soon, ment, and co-operation with the enemy.

“ In view of these considerations, and your failure in a very undoubted manner. A letter found to disperse in obedience to the proclamation of the upon the person of one of the prisoners--a President, and of the eminent necessity of State Captain of the “ Minute Men”—who was adpolicy and welfare, and obligations imposed upon me vised of the programme, said: “In a short by instructions from Washington, it is my duty to time we shall have enough to bring the Union demand, and I hereby do demand of you an imme- men or Black Republicans into our terms, or diate surrender of your command with no other con- force them to leave the State. We have a ditions than that all persons surrendering under this Governor who is true blue. He is trying to demand shall be humanely and kindly treated. Be

get a bill through the Legislature that will lieving myself prepared to enforce this demand, one half hour's time before doing so will be allowed for bring them to terms. When we get, say from

4000 to 5000 Minute Men well armed, we shall your compliance therewith. “Signed,

N. LYON,

be all ready for them. We pulled the wool “Captain Second Infantry, Commanding Troops." over their eyes by making them think we

The delivery of this let- only intended to stay in the camp six days. ter was followed so quickly

We intend to stay here till the Governor gets by the appearance of the Union forces that

all things right at Jefferson City. By that the State brigade could make no defense. It time we shall have all the men we want. We

shall force them into measures to suit us or was disarmed, and taken bodily to the arsenal, together with the armament and entire leave the State. We are for the South.” property of the

camp.
*

The “unparalleled legislation” referred to On the return to the city of the volunteers by Captain Lyon consisted in acts appropriwith their prisoners, a vast mob gathered on ating over three millions of dollars to militathe route. Incited to violence by the Seces- ry uses, diverting for this purpose the entire sionists, an attack was made on the troops, Common School Fund for 1861, the money's a-la Baltimore--when the volunteers of Colo- set apart to pay the July interest on the State nel Boernstein's regiment (German) fired, debt, &c., &c. Also in a military act, which killing twenty-two persons, among whom was placed dangerous and despotic power in the

This deplorable disaster awak- Governor's hands, making it treason to speak ened intense excitement, but investigation against his authority, compelling every pershowed that the volunteers forebore their fire son to report for military duty who was lia

ble by law, requiring the oath of allegiance Among the articles enumerated as found in the to the State, &c., &c. camp were: three 32-pounders, a large quantity of bombs and balls, several pieces of artillery in boxes,

General Harney arrived

General Harney's twelve hundred rifles of a late model, six brass field. in St. Louis May 12th. He

Doings pieces, six brass mortars, (6-inch,) one 10-inch iron immediately issued a promortar, three 6-inch iron cannon, several chests of clamation notifying the people and authori. muskets, five boxes canister shot, ninety-six 10-inch, ties of his presence and military power, callthree hundred 6-inch shells, twenty-five kegs of ing upon all persons to preserve the peace and powder, a large number of musket stocks and barobey the laws. May 14th he published an rels, between thirty and forty horses, and a consid- address relating particularly to his purposes erable quantity of camp tools. On the steamer in view of the hostile legislation, above referJ. C. Swan, seized by order of Captain Lyon, May red to. He directed public attention to the 24th, for carrying contraband of war, was found the register, showing that most of these arms and equi

military bill, which he pronounced to be an

Ordinance of Secession without even the ments had come up the river from the Baton Rouge arsenal.

forms of procedure resorted to by other States,

one woman.

66

manifestly unconstitution. | leave this State forever, by the General Harney's

The Reign of Violence al, in conflict with the Con- | 8th day of May, 1861; and evDoings.

Inaugurated. stitution of the United ery minute you remain there. States and its laws, and therefore could not after will be at your peril.

“Done in Council of Southern Legion, this 30th de sustained by all good citizens. He said:

day of April, 1861." “Whatever may be the termination of the

A dispatch from St. Aubert, May 15th, read: present condition of things in respect to the

“ Last evening Dr. A. Y. Leimer of Liberty town. Cotton States, Missouri must share the desti- ship, near Osage bridge, was arrested by orders, ny of the Union. All her material interests and sent to camp at Jefferson City, to be tried by point to this result, and so important is this martial law, on charge of raising a Union company. regarded to the great interests of the country, The mounted forces are after several others of the that I venture the opinion the whole power same township on the same charge.” of the United States Government, if necessary, It was stated, early in May, that hundreds will be exerted to keep Missouri in the of the better class of residents of Northern Union."

and Central Missouri were fleeing into Iowa The breaking up of Camp Jackson, and the for protection against the scoundrels the arrest of its occupants, he approved as an act veritable“ border ruffians"-directed to acts of prudence and defense, since its openly of violence by the emissaries of the secession treasonable nature left no doubts of its dan- leaders at Jefferson City. St. Louis became gerous character. He said, in conclusion: thick with these “refugees,” whose losses and

"Disclaiming all desire or intention to interfere sufferings form one of the most painful epiwith the prerogative of State of Missouri, or with sodes in the history of the rebellion. So the functions of its Executive, yet I regard it ny brutal and so summary were the proceedings plain path of duty to express to the people in re

of those " conservators of Southern interests," spectful but decided language, that within the field that Missouri would, unquestionably, have and scope of my command, the supreme law of the land must and shall be maintained, and no subter- rapidly followed Arkansas in joining the

Confederacy, had not the city of St. Louis fuges whatever, in the form of legislative acts or otherwise, can be permitted to harass or oppress and its Free State populace (composed largethe good, law-abiding people of Missouri. I shall ly of Germans) stood like a pillar of fire beexert my authority to protect their persons and tween the Egyptians of barbarism and the property from violation of every kind, and shall Land of Promise. Frank P. Blair and B. deem it my duty to suppress all unlawful combina- Gratz Brown were the Moses and Aaron of tions of men, whether formed under a military or that Deliverance. ganization or otherwise."

It was announced, May

The Missouri Brigade. This did not promise well for secession ; 14th, that “the first four and the Governor found his pretty schemes regiments of Missouri volunteers, under comfor throwing the State into the revolution mand of Colonels Blair, Boernstein, Sigel and thwarted. General (ex-Governor) Sterling Schultner, have been formed into a brigade, Price came to his aid, however; and, resort- under the style of the First Brigade of Mising to the usual secession policy of duplicity souri Volunteers, and Captain Lyon has been . and treachery-qualities whose practice the elected Brigadier-General Commanding. GenSecessionists appeared to regard as virtues

eral Lyon accepted the position, and retains obtained from Harney concessions which command of these regiments by authority of threatened, for awhile, to place the despotism the President.” This promotion of Captain of Jackson in active operation.

Lyon met the approval of all loyalists. In As early as April 25th the reign of terror- the discharge of his onerous and responsible isia was inaugurated in the central and west- duties assigned him as chief officer in com. ern portions of the State. Even in the north, mand at St. Louis prior to General Harney's near the Iowa line, the following document arrival, Captain Lyon had comported himself was served upon well known Union citizens : with so mu prudence, and had shown such

"Sir: You are considered hostile to the interests unflinching firmness in repressing disloyal of this community, and you are here by notified to combinations, that the Unionists regarded

THE

HARNEY

AND

PRICE TRUCE.

103

McDonald.

Truce.

were

Truce.

him as quite necessary to their success. The therefore enjoin upon the people to attend to their important and responsible command bestowed civil business, and expressed the hope that the unupon him was merited.

just elements which have threatened so seriously to Among those taken pris- disturb the public peace may soon subside, and be The Case of Captain oners at Camp Jackson was

remembered only to be deplored.” Captain Emmet McDonald,

As one of the first fruits

The Harney and Price late of the U. S. Mounted Rifles. Having re

of this shrewdly conceived fused to swear allegiance to the United States secession ruse to place the or to accept his release on parole, he was control of affairs in the hands of Price and confined in close quarters at the arsenal, as a

the “Minute Men," on the afternoon of May prisoner of war. Learning that an applica- 22d the Stars and Stripes, elevated before the tion was to be made for his release on a writ Post Office in St. Joseph, were torn down, the of habeas corpus, he was conveyed over the flag destroyed and the pole thrown into the river on the night of May 13th. This averted river. An American flag flying at Turner's the test trial of the constitutional rights of Hall

, in the same place, was ordered down. the citizen-a test the Secessionists were The “authorities” resolved in solemn council as anxious to apply as the Secessionists to allow no American flag to fly in their doof Baltimore, in the case of Merryman, main! That city is in the very north-west

anxious that Judge Taney should corner of the State—as far north as the laticreate a direct issue between the military and tude of the capitals of Ohio, Indiana and Illicivil powers of the Government.

nois. The persecutions of Union men were The arrangement referred not stayed in the least, but from all sections The Harney and Price to between Generals Har

and will do everything in his power, consistently with his ney and Price was made instructions, to preserve peace and order. May 21st, at St. Louis. The “plan” agreed “ He is, however, compelled to recognize the existence of a upon was thus announced :

rebellion in a portion of the United States, and in view of it

he stands upon the proclamation of the President, itself based “ They mutually declare a common object, that

upon the law and the Constitution of the United States. of restoring peace and good order to the people of

6. The proclamation commands the dispersion of all armed the State, subordination to the laws of the General bodies hostile to the supreme law of the land. and State Governments, and unite in recommending

“General Harney sees in the Missouri Military bill features all persons to respect each other's rights through

which compel him to look upon such armed bodies as may be

organized under its provisions, as antagonistic to the United out the State, and make no attempt to exercise an

States within the meaning of the proclamation, and calcuauthorized powers, as it is the determination of the

lated to precipitate a conflict between the State and the Uniproper authorities to suppress all unlawful proceed ted States troops. ings, which can only disturb the public peace.

“ He laments this tendency of things, and most cordially General Price pledged the whole power of the

and earnestly invites the co-operation of General Price to

avert it. State officers to maintain order among the people

" For this purpose, General Harney respectfully asks Genof the State, and General Harney declares that this eral Price to review the features of the bill in the spirit of object being assured, he can have no occasion, as law, warmed and elevated by that of humanity, and seek to he has no wish, to make military movements, which discover some means by which its action may be suspended might otherwise create excitement and jealousies until some competent tribunal shall decide upon its charwhich he most earnestly desires to avoid.* They

“ The most material features of the bill calculated to bring

about a conflict, are, first, the oath required to be taken by * To do Harney full justice, and state his own the militia anii 'State Guards'--(an oath of allegiance to the interpretation to the agreement, we are called upon State o Missouri, without recognizing the existence of the to give the “memorandum” remitted by him to Price, Government of the United States ;) and secondly, the express before their interview, embodying his views and the requirement, by which troops within the Stato, not organ.

ized under the provisions of the military bill, are to be dis. only terms of arrangement which he could or would

armed by the State Guards. make, viz.:

"General Harney cannot be expected to wait a summons

to surrender his arms by the State troops.

“May 21st, 1861. “ From this statement of the case, the true question be "General Harney is here as a citizen of Missouri, with all comes immediately visible, and cannot be shut out of view. his interests at stake in the preservation of the peace of the "General Price is earnestly roquested to consider this, and State.

General Harney will be happy to conser with him on the " He earnestly wishes to do nothing to complicate matters; subject whenever it my suit his convenience.”

acter.

" XEM. FOR GENERAL PRICE.