war and resisting the Federal authority. At the same time the Governor issued an insurrectionary proclamation.* "TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI: A series of unprovoked and unparalleled outrages have been inflicted upon the peace and dignity of this Commonwealth, and upon the rights and liberties of its people, by wicked and unprin cipled men, professing to act under the authority of the United States Government; the solemn enactments of soldiers have been taken prisoners; your commerce with your Legislature have been nullified; your volunteer your sister States has been suspended; your trade with your own fellow-citizens has been and is subjected to the have been imprisoned without warrant of law; unoffending and defenceless men, women, and children have been harassing control of an armed soldiery; peaceful citizens ruthlessly shot down and murdered; and other unbear yourselves. ernor would at once overturn the Government privileges and prerogatives, which he (General Lyon) has neither the wish nor authority to do. In his opinion, if the Governor and the State authorities would earnestly set about to maintain the peace of the State, and declare their purposes to resist outrages upon loyal citizens of the Government, and repress insurrections against it, and, in case of violent combinations needing co-operation of the United States troops, they should call upon or accept such assistance, and in case of threatened in-able indignities have been heaped upon your State and vasion the Government troops took suitable posts to meet it, the purposes of the Government would be subserved, and no infringement of the State's rights or dignity committed. He would take good care, in such faithful co-operation of the State authorities to this end, that no individual should be injured in person or property, and that the utmost delicacy should be observed toward all peaceable persons concerned in these public. The State authorities have faithfully labored to relations. Upon this basis, in General Lyon's opinion, could the rights of both manifested its strong disapprobation of it, by the instant the General and State governments be secured and peace maintained." ted with a patriotic forbearance which has only encouraged the perpetrators of these grievous wrongs to attempt still bolder and more daring usurpations, "To all these outrages and indignities you have submit "It has been my earnest endeavor, under all these em barrassing circumstances, to maintain the peace of the State, and to avert, if possible, from our borders, the desoauthorized Major-General Price, several weeks ago, to arrange with General Harney, commanding the Federal lating effects of a civil war. With that object in view, I forces in this State, the terms of an agreement by which the peace of the State might be preserved. They came, on the 21st of May, to an understanding, which was made carry out the terms of that agreement. "The Federal Government, on the other hand, not only dismissal of the distinguished officer who, on his part, entered into it, but it at once began, and has unintermittingly carried out a system of hostile operations, in utter contempt of that agreement, and the reckless disregard of its own plighted faith. These acts have latterly portended revolution and civil war so unmistakably, that I The Governor finding that the resolute Lyon was not to be shaken from his firm determination to uphold the Fed-resolved to make one further effort to avert these dangers eral authority and sustain the loyal citizens of Missouri, lost all further hope of promoting secession by diplomacy, and appealed to arms. He hurried from you. I therefore solicited an interview with Brigadier-General Lyon, commanding the Federal army in Missouri. It was granted, and, on the 10th instant, wairto St. Louis, accompanied by Major-General Price. ing all questions of personal and official dignity, I went "We had an interview on the 11th instant with General Lyon and Colonel F. P. Blair, Jr., at which I submit with his confederates to Jefferson City, ted to them this proposition: That I would disband the the capital, destroying on the route the telegraph wires and railroad bridges, with the evident purpose of commencing State Guard and break up its organization; that I would disarm all the companies which had been armed by the State; that I would pledge myself not to attempt to crganize the militia under the military bill; that no arms PROCLAMATION OF LYON. General Lyon responded to this manifesto of hostility of the Governor of 311 Missouri, by issuing a counter-proclamation.* State of Missouri, do, in view of the foregoing facts, and by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and laws of this Commonwealth, issue this my proclaination, calling the militia of the State, to the number of or munitions of war should be brought into the State; that I would protect all citizens equally in all their rights, regardless of their political opinions; that I would repress all insurrectionary movements within the State; that I would repel all attempts to invade it, from whatever quar-fifty thousand, into the active service of the State, for the ter and by whomsoever made; and that I would thus maintain a strict neutrality in the present unhappy contest, and preserve the peace of the State. And I further proposed that I would, if necessary, invoke the assistance of the United States troops to carry out these pledges. All this I proposed to do upon condition that the Federal Government would undertake to disarm the Home Guards, which it has illegally organized and armed throughout the State, and pledge itself not to occupy with its troops any localities in the State not occupied by them at this time. Nothing but the most earnest desire to avert the horrors of civil war from our beloved State could have tempted me to propose these humiliating terms. They were rejected by the Federal officers. "They demanded not only the disorganization and disarming of the State militia, and the nullification of the military bill, but they refused to disarm their own Home Guards, and insisted that the Federal Government should enjoy an unrestricted right to move and station its troops throughout the State whenever and wherever it might, in the opinion of its officers, be necessary, either for the protection of the “loyal subjects" of the Federal Government or for the repelling of invasion, and they plainly announced that it was the intention of the Administration to take military occupation, under these pretexts, of the whole State, and to reduce it, as avowed by General Lyon himself, to the 'exact condition of Maryland.' The acceptance by me of these degrading terms would not only have sullied the honor of Missouri, but would have aroused the indignation of every brave citizen, and precipitated the very conflict which it has been my aim to prevent. We refused to accede to them, and the conference was broken up. purpose of repelling said invasion, and for the protection of the lives, liberty, and property of the citizens of this State. And I earnestly exhort all good citizens of Missouri to rally under the flag of their State for the protection of their endangered homes and firesides, and for the defence of their most sacred rights and dearest liberties. "In issuing this proclamation, I hold it to be my solemn duty to remind you that Missouri is still one of the United States; that the Executive department of the State Government does not arrogate to itself the power to disturb that relation; that that power has been wisely vested in a convention, which will, at the proper time, express your sovereign will; and that, meanwhile, it is your duty to obey all the constitutional requirements of the Federal Government. But it is equally my duty to advise you that your first allegiance is due to your own State, and that you are under no obligation whatever to obey the unconstitutional edicts of the military despotism which has enthroned itself at Washington, nor to submit to the infamous and degrading sway of its wicked minions in this State. No brave and true-hearted Missourian will obey the one or submit to the other. Rise, then, and drive out ignominiously the invaders who have dared to desecrate the soil which your labors have made fruitful, and which is consecrated by your homes. "Given under my hand, as Governor, and under the great scal of the State of Missouri, at Jefferson City, this 12th day of June, 1861. "By the Governor. CLAIBORNE F. JACKSON. "B. F. MASSEY, Secretary of State." "TO THE CITIZENS OF MISSOURI : Prior to the proclamation issued by Governor Jackson, of date of June 12, it is well known to you that the Governor and Legislature sympathized with the rebellion movements now in progress in the country, and had adopted every means in their power to effect a separation of this State from the General Government. For this purpose, parties of avowed secessionists have been organized into military companies throughout the State, with the full knowledge and ap "Fellow-citizens, all our efforts toward conciliation have failed. We can hope nothing from the justice or moderation of the agents of the Federal Government in this State. They are energetically hastening the execution of their bloody and revolutionary schemes for the inauguration of civil war in your midst; for the military occupa-proval of the Governor. The establishment of encamption of your State by armed bands of lawless invaders for the overthrow of your State government; and for the subversion of those liberties which that government has always sought to protect; and they intend to exert their whole power to subjugate you, if possible, to the military despotism which has usurped the powers of the Federal Government. "Now, therefore, I, C. F. Jackson, Governor of the ments in the State at an unusual period of the year, and authorized for an indefinite period, could have had no other object than the concentration of a large military force, to be subjected to the provisions of the military law then in contemplation, and subsequently passed—a bill so offensive to all peaceable inhabitants, and so palpably unconstitutional, that it could be accepted by those only who were to conform to its extraordinary provisions for the He at the same time marshalled time marshalled his forces at St. Louis, and hurried to purpose of effecting their cherished object-the disruption of the Federal Government. That bill provides for an obligation to the State on the part of all persons enrolled under its provisions irrespective of any obligation to the United States, when the Constitution requires all State officers to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. This of itself is a repudiation of all authority of the Federal Government, whose Constitution is the supreme law, on the part of the State Government, its officers, and such citizens as might choose to adopt the provisions of the bill, and, coupled as it was, on the part of the Legislature and the Governor, with declarations hostile to its authority and in sympathy with those who were arrayed in a condition of actual hostility against it, could leave no doubt of its object to carry out the provisions of this extraordinary bill, having in direct view hostilities to the Federal Government. It was so denounced by General Harney, who characterized it as a secession ordinance in his proclamation of 14th May last. That proclamation, doubtless, gave rise to an interview between General Harney and General Price, that resulted in an agreement which it was hoped would lead to a restoration of tranquillity and good order in your State. That a repudiation of the military bill, and all efforts of the militia of the State under its provisions was the basis of the agreement, was shown as well by this proclamation of General Harney immediately preceding it, as by a paper submitted to General Price, containing the preliminary conditions to an interview with him. "This agreement failed to define specifically the terms of the peace, or how far a suspension of the provisions of the military bill should form a part of it, though from the express declaration of General Harney at the time of the conference, as well as from the foregoing paper, a suspension of any action under the bill until there could be a judicial termination of its character by some competent tribunal, must in good faith be regarded as a fundamental basis of the negotiation. "Nevertheless, immediately after this arrangement, and up to the time of Governor Jackson's proclamation, inaugurating complaints of attempts to execute the provisions of this bill, by which most exasperating hardships have been imposed upon peaceful loyal citizens, coupled with persecutions and proscriptions of those opposed to its provisions, have been made to me as commander of the United States forces here, and have been carried to the authorities at Washington, with appeals for relief, from the Union men of all parties of the State who have been abused, insulted, and, in some instances, driven from their homes. "That relief I conceive it to be the duty of a just government to use every exertion in its power to give. Upon this point the policy of the Government is set forth in the rout out the Governor and his secession bands from Jefferson City, the capital following communication from the Department at Washington: "ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, May 27, 1861. "BRIGADIER-GENERAL W. S. HARNEY, COMMANDING DEPARTMENT WEST ST. LOUIS-Sir: The President observes with concern that, notwithstanding the pledge of the State authorities to co-operate in preserving the peace of Missouri, loyal citizens in great numbers continue to be driven from their homes. It is immaterial whether these outrages continue from inactivity or indisposition on the part of the State authorities to prevent them. It is enough that they continue, and it will devolve on you the duty of putting a stop to them summarily by the force under your command, to be aided by such troops as you may require from Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois. The professions of loyalty to the Union by the State authorities of Missouri are not to be relied upon. They have already falsified their professions too often, and are too far committed to secession to be admitted to your confidence, and you can only be sure of their desisting from their wicked purposes when it is not in their power to prosecute them. You will, therefore, be unceasingly watchful of their movements, and not permit the clamors of their partisans and the opponents of the wise measures already taken to prevent you from checking every movement against the Government, however disguised, under the pretended State authority. The authority of the United States is paramount, and whenever it is apparent that a movement -whether by order of State authorities or not-is hostile, you will not hesitate to put it down. "L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General.' "It is my design to carry out these instructions in their letter and spirit. Their justness and propriety will be appreciated by whoever takes an enlightened view of the relations of the citizens of Missouri to the General Government, nor can such policy be construed as at all disparaging 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 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 those events may be avoided, and that they may be diverted from the innocent, and may fail only on the heads of those by whom they have been provoked. "In the discharge of these plain but onerous duties, I FIRST MOVEMENT OF LYON. 313 of Missouri, where they were plotting against and making ready to attack the Union troops and overthrow the Federal authority. CHAPTER XXVIII. General Lyon's movement from St. Louis.-Occupation of the Railroad.-Force under Lyon.—Embarkation of Troops. -Arrival at Jefferson City.-Flight of the Enemy. Their destructive proceedings.-General Lyon in pursuit.— Boernstein at the capital.-Route of General Lyon.-Reception by the way. -Rochefort.-First indication of the Enemy. Dispersion of Scouts.-Disembarkation of General Lyon.-March of the Federal Troops.-Coming up with the Enemy.-Position of the Antagonist.-Opening Fire.-Battle of Booneville.-Flight of the Enemy.— Courage and coolness of General Lyon.-Pursuit of the Enemy. -Another Stand and another Rout.-A descrted Camp. -A half-cooked Breakfast.-The Federal Boats doing good service.-Capture of a Battery.-The stand at the Fair Grounds.-A third Rout.-The scattering of the Enemy.-The Killed and Wounded.-The Prisoners.A warlike Parson.-Successful Appeal to an "old Rebel.”—Comparative strength of Forces.-Approach to Booneville.-A civic and military Delegation.-Welcome to the Town.-Union Enthusiasm.-The Secessionists' Demand. -Danger to the Unionists.-The "Greatest Crime," etc.-General Lyon's Proclamation.-Forgiveness of Rebels. -Mildness and Severity.-Proclamation of Boernstein at Jefferson City.-The Missouri Convention taking Courage.-Convoked to reassemble.-The Congratulations of the Unionists.-Another Riot in St. Louis.-Attack upon the Federal Soldiers.—Tragic Results.-The Verdict of a St. Louis Jury.-General Lyon inspirited—A bold move to the Southwest.—Sterling Price and Ben McCulloch.—Departure of Lyon.—An Augmenting Force. tillery, and two companies of regulars ernment, upon the maintenance of which depend their "Brigadier-General U. S. Volunteers Commanding." to Jefferson City, the capital, situated on that river, near the centre of the State. On the second day after embarking, June General Lyon reached Jefferson 15. City, but on marching into the place found that Governor Jackson, General Sterling Price, and their secession confederates and bands, had retreated the day before to Booneville, some forty miles farther up the Missouri, within the interior of the State. They had striven to conceal their destination, but the people of Jefferson City had no doubt of the direction of their flight, and being loyally disposed, freely gave all the information they possessed to the Federal officers. In their retreat the secessionists had sought to hinder pursuit, by seizing the cars and locomotives, which they carried along with them, and by destroying the bridges and telegraphs, as they hurriedly pushed forward. Lyon promptly hurried on in purJune suit. Embarking again in the 16. steamers, to which was added a third, he moved with his troops up the Missouri, having left three companies of Boernstein's regiment under the command of the Colonel himself, at Jefferson City, to protect the capital. On passing the little town of Marion, on the Missouri River, the inhabitants manifested their loyalty by heartily cheering the expedition. Having reached Providence during the night, the steamers hauled up until daybreak, when they continued their course. At Rochefort the sullenness of some of the people indicated that the Federal forces. had arrived in a part of the State where they were less welcome. Though the citizens were little disposed to be communicative, the information was obtained from them that the enemy were in considerable force some miles below Booneville. The expedition, after pressing into the service a steam ferry-boat at Rochefort, continued its course up the river, until it reached a point within eight miles of Booneville. Here was seen the first indication of the enemy in a battery on the bluff or high embankment of the river, and some scouts appeared, who hastened, on seeing the steamers, to convey information of their approach to the main body of the secessionists. The boats now moved at once to the shore, where there was a stretch of alluvial land or "bottom" a mile and a half in width between the water and the bluff, on the south side of the river, and making fast, the troops disembarked without opposition. Scouts were now sent in advance, and the main body followed them, marching along the river road. The troops had thus proceeded about a mile and a half to the point where the road ascends the bluffs, when a firing was heard, indicating that our scouts were engaged with the picket guards of the enemy, whom they succeeded in driving back. The Federal troops continued to push on, marching up the gentle slope of the ascent for nearly half a mile, when their advanced guard came galloping back with the information that the enemy |