railway as he proceeded. Thither General Lyon at once determined to follow him. Leaving Colonel Boernstein, of the

companies of his regiment, in command at the capital, he embarked his force in three steamers on the afternoon of the 16th June, and ascended the Missouri that night to the vicinity of Providence. Resuming the voyage early in the morning, the expedition reached Rockport before 6 o'clock, where a pause was made to gain information of the enemy above. The people were surly, and not disposed to be communicative. It was ascertained, however, that the rebels were in force a few miles below Booneville, and that a formidable resistance might be expected. "Leaving this place, and taking the steam ferry-boat Paul Wilcox with us," continues the writer in the St. Louis Democrat, to whom we are indebt

to the rights or dignity of the State of Missouri, or as infringing in any sense upon the individual liberty of its citizens. The recent proclamation of Governor 2d Missouri Volunteers, with several Jackson, by which he has set at defiance the authorities of the United States, and urged you to make war upon them, is but a consummation of his treasonable purposes, long indicated by his acts and expressed opinions, and now made manifest. If, in suppressing these treasonable projects, carrying out the policy of the Government, and maintaining its dignity, as above indicated, hostilities should unfortunately occur, and unhappy consequences should follow, I would hope that all aggravation of these events may be avoided, and that they may be diverted from the innocent, and may fall only on the heads of those by whom they have been provoked. In the discharge of these plain but onerous duties, I shall look for the countenance and active co-ed for an account of the engagement operation of all good citizens, and I shall expect them to discountenance all illegal combinations or organizations, and support and uphold by every lawful means the Federal Government, upon the maintenance of which depend their liberties and the perfect enjoyment of all their rights." With this authority and clear under-tween the river and bluffs is some mile standing of his duty to the country, General Lyon met Governor Jackson's proclamation of hostility to the Government by an immediate movement of his troops to Jefferson City to arrest the rebel authorities and break up their military preparations. On reaching that city, on the 15th, he found that Governor Jackson had anticipated his proceeding, and removed his forces forty miles above to Booneville, cutting off the telegraph and destroying the bridges on the

which ensued, "we ran up steadily till we had passed the foot of the island eight miles below Booneville, when seeing a battery on the bluffs, and scouts hastening to report our arrival, we fell back to a point opposite to the foot of the island, and at 7 o'clock A. M., disembarked on the south shore, where the bottom land be

and a half wide. No traitors were visible there, and the troops at once took the river road for Booneville. Following the road somewhat over a mile and a half to where it ascends the bluffs, several shots from our scouts announced the driving in of the enemy's pickets. We continued to ascend a gently undulating slope for nearly half a mile, when the enemy were reported in full force near the summit of the next swell of ground, about three hundred yards from our

front.

BATTLE OF BOONEVILLE.

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Forward on the extreme right; The enemy were exceedingly "Give them another shot, Captain Totten," echoed above the roar of musketry clear and distinct, from the lips of the general, who led the advancing column. Our force was 2,000 in all, but not over 500 participated at any one time in the battle. The enemy, as we have since

time when the first gun was fired, the rebels were in full retreat, and our troops occupying the ground on which they first stood in line. The consum

well posted, having every advantage in the selection of their ground. Arriving at the brow of the ascent, Captain Totten opened the engagement by throwing a few 9-pounder explosives into their ranks, while the infantry filed oblique right and left, and commenced a terrible volley of musketry, which was for a been reliably informed, were over 4,000 short time well replied to, the balls fly-strong, and yet, twenty minutes from the ing thick and fast about our ears, and occasionally wounding a man on our side. The enemy were posted in a lane running towards the river from the road along which the grand army of the Unit-mate cowardice displayed by the "seed States were advancing, and in a brick house on the north-east corner of the junction of the two roads. A couple of bombs were thrown through the east wall of that house, scattering the enemy in all directions. The well-directed fire of the German infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Schaeffer, on the right, and General Lyon's company of regulars, and part of Colonel Blair's regiment on the left of the road, soon compelled the enemy to present an inglorious aspect. They clambered over the fence into a field of wheat, and again formed in line just on the brow of the hill. They then advanced some twenty steps to meet us, and for a short time the cannons were worked with great rapidity and effect. Just at this time the enemy opened a galling fire from a grove just on the left of our centre, and from a shed beyond and still further to the left.

"The skirmish now assumed the magnitude of a battle. The commander, General Lyon, exhibited the most remarkable coolness, and preserved throughout that undisturbed presence of mind shown by him alike in the camp, in private life, and on the field of battle.

ceshers" will be more fully understood when I add that the spurs or successive elevations now become more abrupt, steep and rugged, the enemy being fully acquainted with their ground, and strong positions behind natural defences, orchards and clumps of trees offering themselves every few yards. Nothing more, however, was seen of the flying fugitives until about one mile west of the house of William M. Adams, where they were first posted. Just there was Camp Vest, and a considerable force seemed prepared to defend the approaches to it. Meanwhile, a shot from the iron howitzer on the McDowell announced to us that Captain Voester, with his artillery men, and Captain Richardson's company of infantry, who were left in charge of the boats, were commencing operations on the battery over a mile below Camp Vest. This but increased the panic among the invincible (?) traitors, and Captain Totten had but to give them a few rounds before their heels were again in requisition, and Captains Cole and Miller, at the head of their companies, entered and took possession of the enemy's deserted breakfast tables. About twenty horses had by

this time arrived within our lines with prisoners, one caisson, and eight horses vacant saddles, and the corps reportorial with military saddles. The enemy did were successfully mounted on chosen not fire a shot from their cannon. steeds. The amount of plunder secured Speaking of prizes, the brilliant achievein Camp Vest, or Bacon, as the citizens ment in that line was by our reverend here call it, from the name of the gentle- friend, W. A. Pill, chaplain of the 1st man owning a fine house close by, was regiment. He had charge of a party of very large. One thousand two hundred four men, two mounted and two on foot, shoes, twenty or thirty tents, quantities with which to take charge of the woundof ammunition, some fifty guns of various ed. Ascending the brow of a hill, he patterns, blankets, coats, carpet sacks, suddenly came upon a company of twen and two secession flags were included in ty-four rebels, armed with revolvers, and the sum total. fully bent upon securing a place of safety "Leaving Captain Cole in command of for their carcasses. Their intentions, the camp, we pushed on towards Boone- however, were considerably modified, ville, chasing the cowardly wretches who when the parson ordered them to halt, outmanned us two to one. The McDow- which they did, surrendering their arms. ell now came along up in the rear, and Surrounded by the squad of five men, off to the right from our troops, and hav- they were then marched on board the ing a more distinct view of the enemy Louisiana, prisoners of war. The par from the river, and observing their in- son also captured two other secessionists tention to make another stand at the during the day, and at one time, needing Fair Grounds, one mile east of Boone- a wagon and horses for the wounded, ville, where the State has an armory and finding friendly suggestions wasted extemporized, Captain Voester again on a stubborn old rebel, placed a revolvsent them his compliments from the old er at his head, and the desired articles howitzer's mouth, which, with a couple were forthcoming. In time of peace the of shots from Captain Totten, and a vol- preacher had prepared for war. After ley from Lothrop's detachment of rifles, passing the Fair Grounds, our troops came scattered the now thoroughly alarmed slowly towards the town. They were met enemy in all directions. Their flight on the east side of the creek by Judge through the village commenced soon Miller of the District Court, and other after 8 o'clock, and continued until after prominent citizens, bearing a flag of 11 o'clock. Some three hundred crossed truce, in order to assure our troops of the river, many went south, but the bulk friendly feelings sustained by threekept on westwardly. A good many per-fourths of the inhabitants, and if possible sons were taken at the different points prevent the shedding of innocent blood. of battle, but it is believed the enemy secured none of ours. Captain Richardson had landed below, and, with the support of the howitzer from the steamer McDowell, captured their battery, consisting of two 6-pounders, (with which they intended to sink our fleet,) twenty

They were met cordially by General Lyon and Colonel Blair, who promised, if no resistance was made to their entrance, that no harm need be feared. Major O'Brien soon joined the party from the city, and formally surrendered it to the Federal forces. The troops

GENERAL LYON'S PROCLAMATION.

then advanced, headed by the Major and General Lyon, and were met at the principal corner of the street by a party bearing and waving that beautiful emblem under which our armies gather and march forth conquering and to conquer. The flag party cheered the troops, who lustily returned the compliment. American flags are now quite thick in the street, and secessionists are nowhere."

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General Harney on the 2d of May last, had drawn together and organized upon a large scale the means of warfare, and, having made a declaration of war, they abandoned the Capital, issued orders for the destruction of the railroad and telegraph lines, and proceeded to this point to put into execution their hostile purposes toward the general Government. This devolved upon me the necessity of Colonel J. S. Marmaduke commanded meeting this issue to the best of my abilthe State troops on this occasion, Gener-ity, and accordingly I moved to this al Price having left in ill health the day point with a portion of the force under before. Governor Jackson was on the my command, attacked and dispersed the ground in the forenoon, and made good hostile forces gathered here by the Govhis escape with the rest. Two men were ernor, and took possession of the campkilled on the Union side and nine wound- equipage left, and a considerable number ed; the rebel loss was set down at fifty of prisoners, most of them young and of in killed and wounded. Many prisoners immature age, and who represent that were taken, who were kindly treated they have been misled by frauds, ingeand generously released by General niously devised and industriously inculLyon, who, as will be seen by the proc-cated by designing leaders, who seek to lamation which he issued on the follow-devolve upon unreflecting and deluded ing day (June 18th), pursued a most lib- followers the task of securing the object eral and conciliatory policy in his en- of their own false ambition. deavor to preserve the peace of the country.

"Out of compassion for these misguided youths, and to correct the impression creUpon leaving St. Louis," said he ated by unscrupulous calumniators, I libin this document, "in consequence of war erated them upon the condition that they made by the Governor of this State will not serve in the impending hostilities against the Government of the United against the United States Government. States, because I would not assume on I have done this in spite of the wellits behalf to relinquish its duties, and ab-known facts that the leaders in the presdicate its rights of protecting loyal citi-ent rebellion, having long experienced zens from the oppression and cruelty of the mildness of the general Government, the secessionists in this State, I published still feel confident that this mildness canan address to the people, in which I de- not be overtasked even by factious hosclared my intention to use the force tilities, having in view its overthrow under my command for no other purpose but lest, as in the case of the late Camp than the maintenance of the authority of Jackson affair, this clemency shall still the general Government, and the pro- be misconstrued, it is proper to give tection of the lives and property of all warning that the Government cannot law-abiding citizens. The State author- always be expected to indulge in it to the ities, in violation of an agreement with compromise of its evident welfare. Hear

mand, which will be retained only so long as opposition makes it necessary, and that it is my wish, and shall be my purpose, to visit any unavoidable rigor arising in this issue upon those only who provoke it. All persons who, under the misapprehensions above mentioned, have taken up arms, or who are preparing to do so, are invited to return to their homes and relinquish their hostilities towards the Federal Government, and

ing that those plotting against the Government have falsely represented that the Government troops intended a forcible and violent invasion of Missouri for purposes of military despotism and tyranny, I hereby give notice to the people of this State that I shall scrupulously avoid all interference with the business, right, and property of every description recognized by the laws of the State, and belonging to law-abiding citizens. But it is equally my duty to maintain the are assured that they may do so withparamount authority of the United States out being molested for past occurwith such force as I have at my com-rences."

WHAT course, it was anxiously in- | other hand she was by no means disposed quired, would Kentucky pursue, in the to acquiesce in the Southern dictation impending conflict between the North and which had so long been the governing the South. As one of the Border States, spirit of the Democratic party. But it might have been expected that she whatever the vote may have indicated would cast in her lot with her brethren, in other respects, in one thing it was and follow the fortunes of Virginia, North clear,-it was an emphatic declaration Carolina, Missouri, and the rest; but she that the voice of Kentucky was for the was distinguished in many respects from maintenance and preservation of the these accidental associates, and the ques-Union. To this, indeed, she was pledged tion, it was evident, would be answered by her own people on principles of their Own. There were various shades of difference in the political opinions of her citizens. In the Presidential election in the autumn of 1860, her popular vote was given, 66,058 for the Bell and Everett ticket; 53,143 for Breckenridge; 25,651 for Douglas; and 1,364 for Lincoln; from which it may be readily gathered that, while the decided principles of the Republican party had as yet met with but little favor in her eyes, on the

by her traditional policy, by the long course of her eminent statesman, Henry Clay, and by the interests which bound her to the great Northwest in preference to the sectional pretensions of the States bordering on the Gulf. It is to her honor that, above all the other Border States, the perception of her people was clear, intelligent, and assured on this great creed of loyalty and nationality. In spite of cunning exhortations from without, artfully appealing to her sympathies with Southern society, in spite of