USA > Missouri > DeKalb County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 9
USA > Missouri > Andrew County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 9
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The amended resolutions are as follows:
1. Resolved, That at present there is no adequate cause to impel Missouri to dissolve her connection with the Federal Union, but on the contrary, she will labor for such an adjustment of existing troubles as will secure the peace, as well as the rights and equality of all the States.
2. Resolved, That the people of this State are devotedly attached to the insti- tutions of our country, and earnestly desire that by a fair and amicable adjust- ment all the causes of disagreement that at present unfortunately distract us as a people, may be removed, to the end that our Union may be preserved and per- petuated, and peace and harmony be restored between the North and South.
3. Resolved, That the people of this State deem the amendments to the Con- stitution of the United States, proposed by the Hon. John J. Crittenden, of Ken- tucky, with the extension of the same to the territory hereafter to be acquired by treaty, or otherwise, a basis of adjustment which will successfully remove the causes of difference forever from the arena of national politics.
4. Resolved, That the people of Missouri believe the peace and quiet of the country will be promoted by a convention to propose amendments to the Consti- tution of the United States, and this convention therefore urges the Legislature of this State and the other States to take the proper steps for calling such a con- vention in pursuance of the fifth article of the constitution ; and by providing by law for an election by the people of such number of delegates as are to be sent to such convention.
5. Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention, the employment of mili- tary force by the Federal Government to coerce the submission of the seceding States, or the employment of military force by the seceding States to assail the Government of the United States, will inevitably plunge this country into civil war, and thereby entirely extinguish the hope of an amicable settlement of the fearful issues now pending before the country ; we therefore earnestly entreat, as well the Federal Government as the seceding States, to withhold and stay the arm of military power, and on no pretense whatever bring upon the nation the horrors of civil war. And in order to the restoration of harmony and fraternal feeling between the different sections we would recommend the policy of with- drawing the Federal troops from the forts within the borders of the seceding States, when there is danger of collision between the State and Federal troops.
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
The sixth and seventh resolutions we omit because they have no reference to war questions. Two of the resolutions will at- tract the attention of every intelligent reader: the first, contain- ing the explicit declaration that there was no adequate cause to impel Missouri to dissolve her connection with the Federal Union; and the fifth wherein the convention took uncompromising ground against the employment of military force by either the seced- ing States or the nation.
It was with the earnest and patriotic purpose of averting civil war that the Union men of Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and other slave States entreated the Federal Government not to resort to military force, but after the firing upon Fort Sumter and other violent and unmistakably rebellious acts, these patriots as- sumed more extreme views.
GOV. JACKSON AND THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE.
Upon President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men, Simon Cam- eron, Secretary of War, issued a telegram to all of the loyal and doubtful States, requesting each of them to detail from the mili- tia of the State a certain number of men, as infantry or riflemen, for a period of three months.
Missouri's quota was fixed at four regiments, which Gov. Jackson was requested to furnish. The following was his reply:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI, JEFFERSON CITY, April 17, 1861. 5 To the Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.,
SIR :- Your dispatch of the 15th inst., making a call on Missouri for four regiments of men for immediate service has been received. There can be, I apprehend, no doubt but these men are intended to form a part of the Presi- dent's army to make war upon the people of the seceded States. Your requisi- tion, in my judgment, is illegal, unconstitutional and revolutionary in its objects, inhuman and diabolical, and cannot be complied with. Not one man will the State of Missouri furnish to carry on such an unholy crusade.
C. F. JACKSON, Governor of Missouri.
Pursuant to a proclamation of Gov. Jackson, the State Legis- lature convened in extra session May 2, 1861. In his mes- sage to that body, the Governor reiterated the declaration that the interests and sympathies of Missouri were identical with those of the slave-holding States, and recommended the pol- icy of arming the people and placing the State in an attitude of defence.
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
The Legislature responded by passing several important measures, among which were the following: To authorize coun- ties to loan money, not exceeding $30,000 each, to the State; to authorize the Banks of Missouri to issue $1, $2, and $3 notes to the amount of $1,500,000, instead of the same amount of larger notes ; to authorize the Governor to purchase or lease David Ball- entine's foundry at Boonville for the manufacture of arms and the munitions of war; to authorize the Governor to appoint one major-general, who, in time of insurrection, invasion, or war, should command the entire military force in the field; to author- ize the Governor, whenever in his opinion the security and wel- fare of the State might require it, to take possession of the rail- road and telegraph lines within the State; to provide for the organization, government and support of the "Missouri State Guard; " and to authorize the Governor to borrow $1,000,000 to arm and equip the militia of the State to repel invasion, and pro- tect the lives and property of the people.
SURRENDER OF CAMP JACKSON.
Into the midst of this body of busy legislators dropped the news of the capture of Camp Jackson, at St. Louis.
By order of Gov. Jackson, the United States arsenal at Liberty, Clay County, had been seized April 20, 1861, and on the same day of the Governor's proclamation calling an extra ses- sion of the General Assembly the following general military order was issued by Warwick Hough, then adjutant general of Mis- souri:
(General Orders No. 7.)
HEADQUARTERS ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, MO., JEFFERSON CITY, April 22, 1861. 5
First. To attain a greater degree of efficiency and perfection in organiza- tion and discipline, the commanding officers of the several military districts in this State, having four or more legally organized companies therein, whose armories are within fifteen miles of each other, will assemble their respective commands at some place to be by them severally designated, on the 3d of May, and to go into an encampment for the period of six days, as provided by law. Captains of companies not organized into battalions will report the strength of their companies immediately to these headquarters, and await further orders.
Second. The quartermaster-general will procure and issue to the quar- termasters of districts, for those commands not now provided for, all necessary tents and camp equipage, to enable the commanding officers thereof to carry the foregoing orders into effect.
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Third. The light battery now attached to the Southwest Battalion, and one company of mounted riflemen, including all officers and soldiers belonging to the First District, will proceed forthwith to St. Louis, and report to Gen. D. M. Frost for duty. The remaining companies of said battalion will be dis- banded for the purpose of assisting in the organization of companies upon that frontier. The details in the execution of the foregoing are intrusted to Lieut. - Col. John S. Bowen, commanding the battalion.
Fourth. The strength, organization and equipment of the several com- panies in the districts will be reported at once to these headquarters, and divis- ion inspectors will furnish all information which may be serviceable in ascer- taining the condition of the State forces.
By order of the Governor.
WARWICK HOUGH, Adjutant-General of Missouri.
Pursuant to this order, the military encampment of Camp Jackson, at Lindell's Grove, St. Louis, was organized May 3, by Brig .- Gen. Daniel M. Frost, of the Missouri Militia. Its object, as stated above, was said to be the attainment of greater efficiency in the organization and drill of the State troops, but there seemed to be reason for the suspicion, entertained by officers of the United States Army, that Gov. Jackson, Gen. Frost and their confréres, had some ulterior purpose in view. This purpose was believed by many to be nothing less than the seizure of the United States arsenal at St. Louis, and the military con- trol of the State by those who, notwithstanding the anti-secession voice of the people, were determined to link her destinies with the Confederacy.
The stars and stripes floated over Camp Jackson, yet Capt. Nathaniel Lyon, commandant of the arsenal, had in view the sentiments of Gov. Jackson's inaugural and of his more recent message to the Legislature, his response to the requisition of the Secretary of War, the seizure of the arsenal at Liberty, and the fact that two of the streets in the new camp were called "Davis", and "Beauregard," after two of the most prominent leaders of the Rebellion. Also Capt. Lyon discovered that cannon and mortars in boxes, marked "Marble," and shot and shell in barrels, had been landed at the St. Louis wharf and hauled to Camp Jackson.
On the morning of May 10, Gen. Frost having been informed that the United States troops were preparing for an attack upon his camp addressed the following note to Capt. Lyon:
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
HEADQUARTERS, CAMP JACKSON, MISSOURI MILITIA, May 10, 1861.
Capt. N. Lyon, Commanding United States Troops in and about St. Louis Arsenal,
SIR :- I am constantly in receipt of information that you contemplate an at- tack upon my camp, whilst I understand that you are impressed with the idea that an attack upon the arsenal and United States troops is intended on the part of the militia of Missouri. I am greatly at a loss to know what could justify you in attacking citizens of the United States who are in the lawful performance of duties devolving upon them under the constitution in organizing and instructing the militia of the State in obedience to her laws, and therefore liave been disposed to doubt the correctness of the information I have received.
I would be glad to know from you, personally, whether there is any truth in the statements that are constantly pouring into my ears. So far as regards any hostility being intendent toward the United States, its property, or representatives by any portion of my command, or as far as I can learn (and I think I am fully informed) of any other part of the State forces, I can positively say that the idea has never been entertained. On the contrary, prior to your taking command of the arsenal, I proffered to Maj. Bell, then in command of the very few troops constituting its guard, the services of myself and all my command, and if necessary, the whole power of the State, to protect the United States in the full possession of all her property. Upon Gen. Harney's taking command of this department, I made the same proffer of services to him, and authorized his adjutant-general, Capt. Williams, to communicate the fact that such had been done to the war department. I have had no occasion since to change any of the views I entertained at that time, neither of my own volition nor through orders of my constitutional commander.
I trust that after this explicit statement we may be able, by fully under- standing each other, to keep far from our borders the misfortunes which so unhappily affect our common country.
This communication will be handed to you by Col. Bowen, my chief of staff, who will be able to explain anything not fully set forth in the foregoing.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BRIG .- GEN. D. M. FROST, Commanding Camp Jackson M. V. M.
On the day of this communication, and perhaps at the very hour of its writing, Capt. Lyon was making active preparations to march upon Camp Jackson. It was said that he refused to receive the communication from Gen. Frost.
Between 2 and 3 o'clock, on the afternoon of the same day, Gen. Frost received a note from Capt. Lyon as follows:
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES TROOPS, ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 10, 1861.
Gen. D. M. Frost, Commanding Camp Jackson,
SIR :- Your command is regarded as evidently hostile toward the Govern- ment of the United States.
It is, for the most part, made up of those secessionists who have openly avowed their hostility to the general Government, and have been plotting at the seizure of its property and the overthrow of its authority. You are openly
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
in communication with the so-called Southern Confederacy, which is now at war with the United States, and you are receiving at your camp, from the said Confederacy, and under its flag, large supplies of the material of war, most of which is known to be the property of the United States. These extraordinary preparations plainly indicate none other than the well known purpose of the Governor of this State, under whose orders you are acting, and whose purpose, recently communicated to the Legislature, has just been responded to by that body in the most unparalleled legislation, having in direct view hostilities to the general Government, and co-operation with its enemies.
In view of these considerations, and of your failure to disperse in obedience to the proclamation of the President, and of the imminent necessities of State policy and warfare, and the obligations imposed upon me by instructions from Washington, it is my duty to demand, and I do hereby demand of you an immediate surrender of your command, with no other conditions than that all persons surrendering, under this demand, shall be humanely and kindly treated. Believing myself prepared to enforce this demand, one-half hour's time before doing so will be allowed for your compliance therewith.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. LYON, Capt. Second Infantry, Commanding Troops.
Capt. Lyon's command numbered between 6,000 and 7,000 men, and about twenty pieces of artillery. With this force he rapidly invested Camp Jackson, planting batteries on the over- looking heights, and allowing none to pass the lines thus formed. Many of the citizens seized whatever weapons they could lay their hands upon, and rushed to the assistance of the State troops, but were, of course, foiled in their design. Men, and numbers of women and children, flocked to the neighboring hills, wishing to obtain a view of the scene, and thinking themselves out of harm's way. Upon the receipt of Capt. Lyon's communication, Gen. Frost called a hasty consultation of the officers of his staff, and as resistance seemed mere recklessness, a surrender upon the proposed terms was quickly agreed to. The State troops were therefore made prisoners of war, but an offer was made to release them on condition that they would take an oath to support the constitution of the United States, and would swear not to take up arms against the Government.
All but eight or ten men refused to accede to these terms, on the ground that having already sworn allegiance to the United States and its Government, repeating their oath would be to ad- mit that they had been in rebellion, which they would not con- cede.
About half past five o'clock the prisoners of war left their
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
camp, and entered the road, the United States soldiers enclosing them by a single file on each side of their line. Suddenly the. report of fire-arms was heard from the front of the column, which was then opposite a small hill, on the left as one approaches the city. It seems that some members of the United States com- panies, upon being pressed by the crowd and receiving some blows from them, turned, and without orders, discharged their pieces. No one was injured, and the offending soldiers were im- mediately placed under arrest. Hardly, however, had quiet been restored, when repeated volleys of musketry were heard from the extreme rear ranks, which were still at the entrance to the grove, and the crowd of spectators were seen running wildly from the spot. Many, even while escaping, were shot down, and the wounded and dying made the late beautiful field look like a bat- tle-ground. The total number of citizens killed was twenty- eight, including two ladies; the wounded numbered about twenty- five. On the part of the Federals, one officer, Capt. C. Blandow- ski, and one private were killed and a dozen men were wounded. As in the disturbance at the other end of the line, the arsenal troops were attacked with stones, and shots were discharged at them before they fired. Not until he himself had been seriously wounded did Capt. Blandowski give the order to fire on the mob .*
Gen. Frost's command was marched to the arsenal, and there remained, as prisoners of war, until the following day. They were then released, every man, Capt. Emmet McDonald excepted, subscribing to the following parole:
ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, May, 11, 1861.
We, the undersigned, do pledge our words as gentlemen that we will not take up arms nor serve in any military capacity against the United States, dur- ing the present civil war. This parole shall be returned upon our surrendering ourselves, at any time, as prisoners of war. While we make this pledge with the full intention of observing it, we hereby protest against the injustice of its ex- action.
The following letter, written by Gen. Frost to Gov. Jackson, and dated January 24, 1861, was afterward captured with other Con- federate records. It pours a flood of light upon the events which
*In his report of the affair Gen. Lyon says: " The sad results are much to be lamented The killing of innocent men, women and children is deplorable. There was no intention to fire upon peaceable citizens. The regular troops were over in the camp, beyond the mob, and in range of the firing. The troops manifested every forbearance, and at last discharged their guns in simply obey- ing the impulse, natural to all, of self-defence. If innocent men, women and children, whose curi- osity placed them in a dangerous position, suffered with the guilty, it is no fault of the troops."
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
transpired previous to the beginning of the war in Missouri. Maj. Bell, it will be remembered, was superseded by Capt. Lyon, as commandant at the arsenal:
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, January 24, 1861. His Excellency, C. F. Jackson, Governor of Missouri,
DEAR SIR :- I have just returned from the arsenal, where I have had an interview with Maj. Bell, the commanding officer of that place. I found the Major everything that you or I could desire. He assured me that he considered that Missouri had, whenever the time came, a right to claim it as being upon her soil. He asserted his determination to defend it against any and all irre- sponsible mobs, come from whence they might, but at the same time gave me to understand that he would not attempt any defense against the proper State authorities.
He promised me, upon the honor of an officer and a gentleman, that he would not suffer any arms to be removed from the place without first giving me timely information; and I, in return, promised him that I would use all the force at my command to prevent him being annoyed by irresponsible persons. I at the same time gave him notice that if affairs assumed so threatening a character as to render it unsafe to leave the place in its comparatively unpro- tected condition, that I might come down and quarter a proper force there to protect it from the assaults of any persons whatsoever, to which he assented. In a word, the Major is with us, where he ought to be, for all his worldly wealth lies here in St. Louis (and it is very large), and then, again, his sympathies are with us.
I shall, therefore, rest perfectly easy, and use all my influence to stop the sensationalists from attracting the particular attention of the Government to this particular spot. The telegraphs you received were the sheerest "canards" of persons who, without discretion, are extremely anxious to show their zeal. I shall be thoroughly prepared with the proper force to act as emergency may require. The use of force will only be resorted to when nothing else will avail to prevent the shipment or removal of arms.
The Major informed me that he had arms for 40,000 men, with all the appli- ances to manufacture munitions of almost every kind.
This arsenal, if properly looked after, will be everything to our State, and I intend to look after it-very quietly, however. I have every confidence in the word of honor pledged to me by the Major, and would as soon think of doubting the oath of the best man in the community.
His idea is that it would be disgraceful to him as a military man to surrender to a mob, whilst he could do so, without compromising his dignity to the State authorities. Of course I did not show him your order, but I informed him that you had authorized me to act as I might think proper to protect the public property.
He desired that I would not divulge his peculiar views, which I promised not to do except to yourself. I beg, therefore, that you will say nothing that might compromise him eventually with the general Government, for thereby I would be placed in an awkward position, whilst he would probably be removed, which would be unpleasant to our interests.
Grimsley, as you doubtless know, is an unconscionable jackass, and only desires to make himself notorious. It was through him that McLaren and George made the mistake of telegraphing a falsehood to you.
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I should be pleased to hear whether you approve of the course I have adopted, and if not, I am ready to take any other that you, as my commander, may suggest.
I am, sir, most truly,
Your obedient servant, D. M. FROST.
Upon the capture of Camp Jackson, and the consequent dis- astrous collision between some of the United States troops and the people, the wildest excitement prevailed throughout the State. The most sensational reports flew abroad of the brutal murder of men, women and children by an infuriated soldiery, of their charge with fixed bayonets upon an unoffending crowd of citizens, and of their committing the most horrid outrages upon these innocent victims. People in various localities rose to avenge the reported terrible slaughter, and the whole State was in a frenzy of indignation.
FINAL EFFORTS TOWARD CONCILIATION.
Two days after the capture of Camp Jackson, Brig .- Gen. William S. Harney, commandant of the department, returned to St. Louis from Washington, and issued a proclamation, in which he called upon the people to resume their accustomed peaceful vocations, and assured them that he would only use " the military force stationed in this district in the last resort to preserve the peace."
After two more days, Gen. Harney issued a second procla- mation in which he characterized the " Military Bill," passed by the recent Legislature, as "an indirect secession ordinance, ignoring even the forms resorted to by other States," and as unconstitutional and void. He spoke approvingly of the over- throw of Camp Jackson, upon the ground that it had been "organized in the interests of the secessionists," the men openly wearing the dress and badge of the Southern Confederacy; and that arms had been received into the camp which had been unlawfully taken from the United States arsenal at Baton Rouge, and shipped up the river in boxes marked "marble." He declared that "no government in the world would be entitled to respect, that would tolerate for a moment, such openly treasonable preparations ;" but added that it was but simple justice to suppose
VIEW IN SOUTHERN MISSOURI.
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
that there were many loyal men in the camp who were in no way responsible for its treasonable character. He disclaimed all intention of interfering with the prerogatives of the State, but expressed in plain terms that the "supreme law of the land must be obeyed, and that no subterfuges, whether in the form of legislative acts or otherwise," could be permitted to har- ass the law abiding people of Missouri. He promised that his authority should be used to protect their persons and property, and that he would suppress all unlawful combinations of men, formed under any pretext whatsoever.
Gen. Harney's policy was to preserve peace as long as it could be done, and the authority of the national Government preserved. . Accordingly he held a conference at St. Louis, May 21, 1861, with Gen. Sterling Price, whom Gov. Jackson had placed at the head of the Missouri State Guard, which resulted in an amicable agreement, signed by both generals, which undertook to calm the popular excitement and prevent further bloodshed.
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