USA > Missouri > Cedar County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 10
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 10
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 10
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 10
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
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
102
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."
103
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.
.
104
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
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
105
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.
The authorities at Washington disapproved of the Harney- Price compact, and they had already given orders that Capt. Lyon should succeed the former general in command of the de- partment. Before, however, the order for his displacement reached him, Gen. Harney, in consequence of his agreement with Gen. Price, removed the Federal troops from the suburbs of St. Louis, Col. Sigel's regiment remaining at the arsenal. Gov. Jackson and Gen. Price, on their part, disbanded the State troops at Jefferson City and St. Joseph, and ordered them home, there to drill and receive military instruction.
Another conference was held in St. Louis between Gen. Lyon, Col. Frank P. Blair, Jr., and Maj. F. A. Conant, on the one side, and Gov. C. F. Jackson, Gen. Sterling Price and Col. Thomas L. Snead, on the other. The interview lasted six hours, but re- sulted in nothing except to make the terrible truth evident that their differences could not be peaceably adjusted.
This final effort at conciliation having failed, Gov. Jackson and his associates left for Jefferson City the same night, burning railroad bridges and cutting the telegraph wires behind them.
PROCLAMATION BY GOV. JACKSON.
On the next day (June 12) Gov. Jackson issued a procla- 7
106
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
mation, calling into active service 50,000 State Militia "for the purpose of repelling invasion, and for the protection of the lives, liberty and property of the citizens of this State." He instructed the people that their first allegiance was due to their own State; that they were "under no obligation, whatever, to obey the unconstitutional edicts of the military despotism which had enthroned itself at Washington, nor submit to the infamous and degrading sway of its wicked minions in this State." He de- clared that no brave and true-hearted Missourian would obey the one or submit to the other; and he called upon them to rise and "drive out ignominiously the invaders who have dared to dese- crate the soil which your labors have made fruitful, and which is consecrated by your homes." This proclamation was the signal for civil war in Missouri, and immediately upon its publication active military movements within the State began.
THE LEGISLATURE AGAIN.
The "Missouri State Guard" bill was before the Legislature, and was meeting with much opposition, when the news of the attack on Camp Jackson so affected the minds of the legislators that they passed the act in less than fifteen minutes.
About 11 o'clock the same night the whole city of Jefferson was aroused by the pealing of bells and the shouts of men sum- moning the Legislature to the Capitol. There they went into secret session until past 3 o'clock in the morning. The cause of this sudden panic was the reception of a telegram, afterward asserted to be bogus, to the effect that 2,000 Federal troops would leave St. Louis that night for the express purpose of cap- turing the Governor, State officers and members of the Legis- lature, then convened at Jefferson City. To prevent this antici- pated raid the railroad bridge across the Osage River was burned, and the next day 12,000 kegs of powder were sent off in wagons to secret places of safety, while the money in the State Treasury was moved out of town to keep it out of the hands of the expected marauders. When the truth became known, comparative quiet was restored.
In accordance with the power conferred upon Gov. Jackson by an act of the Legislature before mentioned, he appointed Sterling Price major-general of the Missouri State Guard.
107
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
On the day before the final adjournment, Mr. George G. Vest, now a resident of Kansas City and a United States senator, made the following report to the House of Representatives from the Committee on Federal Relations.
WHEREAS, We have learned with astonishment and indignation that troops in the service of the Federal Government have surrounded and taken prisoners of war the encampment of State militia lately assembled near the city of St. Louis, in pursuance of law and by command of the Governor, for the purpose alone of military instruction; AND WHEREAS, The United States troops aforesaid, assisted by a mob armed under Federal authority, have also murdered with un- paralleled atrocity, defenseless men, women and children, citizens of Missouri, lawfully and peacefully assembled. Now, therefore,
Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring therein, That we, the representatives of the people of Missouri, in general assembly convened, do hereby protest to the civilized world, and especially our sister States, against this illegal, unchristian and inhuman violation of our rights by the capture of our militia, assembled under the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the State, and the murder of our defenseless people;
Resolved, Second, That whilst Missouri has been loyal to the Government, struggling for its reconstruction, and is now sincerely desirous of an honorable adjustment of existing difficulties, she has received as reward for her fidelity from persons assuming to act under Federal authority, unparalleled insult and wrong. An armed despotism, under infuriated partisan leaders, has been inaugurated in our midst, controlled by no law but passion, and actuated by the deepest hate against the people of Missouri and their institutions. Our railroads are now under military occupation. The steamboat "C. E. Hilman" engaged in trans- porting goods from the city of St. Louis to the city of Nashville, has been seized by Government troops within the jurisdiction of this State, and the cargo taken out. The capitol of the State is openly threatened with capture, and our session is now being held in the midst of armed citizens hastily assembled for defense.
Resolved, Third, That it is the unquestioned, constitutional right of the State to arm, equip and organize her militia for defense against aggression from any quarter; and the attempt by Capt. Lyon, acting, as he says, under author- ity from Washington, to use the exercise of this right as an excuse for his con- duct, evinces but too clearly a disposition upon the part of the authorities at Washington to disregard and trample upon the sacred rights of the people of Missouri.
Resolved, Fourth, That the charge of Capt. Lyon in his letter to Gen. Frost, that the proceedings of the State authorities or of this general assembly, at any time, furnished a pretext for the course pursued by him, is entirely gratuitous and false.
Resolved, Fifth, That the Governor of the State be hereby directed to make demand of the President of the United States, whether these outrages have been authorized by the Government, and for the immediate return of the arms, camp equipage and other property belonging to this State, lately taken from our military near St. Louis, and for the unconditional release of our State troops.
Resolved, Sixth, That the Governor be requested to take instant action by calling forth the militia of the State for the purpose of defense; and that the
108
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
people of Missouri should rally as one man to perish, if necessary, in defending their constitutional rights.
Resolved, That the governor be requested to furnish a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions to the President of the United States, and to the Governor of each of the States.
That these resolutions were passed in the House without a single dissenting vote is an evidence of the extraordinary excite- ment which prevailed, not only among the people, but also in the Legislature.
Immediately upon the adjournment of that body, Gov. Jack- son and the larger part of the State officers abandoned the capi- tol, believing that delay would probably result in their falling into the hands of the United States militia and becoming prison- ers of war. In September Gov. Jackson issued a proclamation, calling the General Assembly to meet in extra session at Neosho, Newton County, on the 21st day of October. At the time this official act was performed the Governor was a fugitive from the State capitol, and the State Convention, on the 31st of July, had declared his seat vacant, together with those of the members of the Legislature; and on the same day had invested Hamilton R. Gamble with the authority and obligations of Governor of Missouri.
Gov. Jackson's proclamation declared that the United States authorities had "- in violation of the constitution of the United States, waged a ruthless war upon the people of the State of Missouri, murdering our citizens, destroying our property, and, as far as in their power lay, desolating our land. I have in vain endeavored to secure your constitutional rights by peaceable means, and have only resorted to war when it became necessary to repel the most cruel and long-continued aggressions. War now exists between the State of Missouri and the Federal Gov- ernment, and a state of war is incompatible with the continuance of our union with that Government. Therefore, for the purpose of giving to the representatives of the people of Missouri an op- portunity of determining whether it be proper now to dissolve the constitutional bonds which binds us to the Government of the United States, when all other bonds between us are broken, I, Claiborne F. Jackson," etc.
In response to this proclamation, thirty-nine members of the
,
-
109
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
House and ten members of the Senate assembled at Neosho in October. The proceedings of the Senate, afterward captured, show that during the first few days nothing was done but bring in absent members. In order to consitute a quorum there must have been present sixty-seven members of the House and seven- teen members of the Senate. As it was impossible to muster that number, Gov. Jackson's message was read to those who were present. He recommended the passage of an ordinance of seces- sion, and also the passage of a law authorizing the election of senators and representatives to the Confederate Congress.
An act, declaring the union between Missouri and the United States dissolved, passed both houses of this fragmentary Legis- lature, and as far as that body was concerned the connection be- tween the State and the general Government was broken. This Senate met again at Cassville, Barry County, October 31, 1861, and November 7, adjourning to meet at New Madrid on the first Monday in March, 1862; but that meeting was never held. Gov. Jackson's death occurred December 6, 1862, at a farmhouse on the Arkansas River opposite Little Rock.
THE STATE CONVENTION- FURTHER TRANSACTIONS.
On the 31st of July, 1861, this body elected Hamilton R. Gamble, Willard P. Hall and Mordecai Oliver, respectively Gov- ernor, Lieutenant-Governor and Secretary of State, to succeed Claiborne F. Jackson, Thomas C. Reynolds and Benjamin F. Massey, whose seats had been declared vacant.
At another session held in St. Louis, and beginning October 10, 1861, the board of public works and the offices of State superintendent of public schools and county school commis- sioners were abolished, the salaries of all civil officers were re- duced 20 per cent, and test oaths of loyalty for civil officers and citizens were authoritatively promulgated.
On June 2, 1862, the convention assembled at Jefferson City, declared vacant the seats of Sterling Price, late presidentof the con- vention, and of Others who had joined the secessionists; laid upon the table an ordinance offered by Mr. Breckinridge providing for the gradual emancipation of the slaves in the State; passed an ordinance continuing the provisional government until August,
110
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
1864, at which time, according to arrangements already made, their successors would be elected and qualified, and provided that no person should vote at any election thereafter held in the State, under its constitution and laws, who should not previously take the following oath :
I, -- do solemnly swear (or affirm as the case may be) that I will sup- port, protect and defend the constitution of the United States, and the consti- tution of the State of Missouri, against all enemies or opposers, whether domes- tic or foreign; that I will bear true faith, loyalty and allegiance to the United States, and will not, directly or indirectly, give aid or comfort, or countenance to the enemies or opposers thereof, or of the provisional government of the State of Missouri, any ordinance, law or resolution of any State convention or Legis - lature, or of any order or organization, secret or otherwise, to the contrary not- withstanding; and that I do this with a full and honest determination, pledge and purpose, faithfully to keep and perform the same, without any mental res- ervation or evasion whatever. And I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have not since the 17th day of December, A.D. 1861, wilfully taken up arms, or levied war against the United States, or against the provisional government of the State of Missouri, so help me God.
A similar oath was prescribed for all civil officers, and for jurymen and attorneys.
On June 15, 1863, pursuant to a proclamation from Gov. Gamble, the convention met to devise measures for the gradual emancipation of the slaves. Without especially noting the action of the convention on the various propositions submitted, or the several amendments to these propositions, it is enough to say that on July 1, the fifteenth day of the session, the ordinance as amended was passed. It is as follows:
Be it ordained by the people of the State of Missouri in convention assembled:
SECTION 1. The first and second clauses of the twenty-sixth section of the third article of the constitution are hereby abrogated.
SEC. 2. That slavery and involuntary servitude, except for the punishment of crime, shall cease to exist in Missouri on the 4th day of July, 1870, and all slaves within the State at that day are hereby declared to be free; Provided, however, That all persons emancipated by this ordinance shall remain under the control, and be subject to the authority of their late owners or their legal representatives, as servants, during the following period, to-wit: Those over forty years for and dur- ing their lives; those under twelve years of age until they arrive at the age of twenty-three years, and those of all other ages until the 4th of July, 1870. The persons or their legal representatives, who, up to the moment of the emanci- pation were the owners of the slaves thus freed, shall, during the period for which the services of such freed men are reserved to them, have the same au- thority and control over the said freed men for the purpose of receiving the pos-
111
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
session and service of the same, that are now held absolutely by the master in respect to his slave. Provided, however, That after the said 4th day of July, 1870, no person so held to service shall be sold to a non-resident of, or removed from the State of Missouri, by authority of his late owner or his legal representatives.
SEC. 3. That all slaves hereafter brought into this State, and not now be- longing to citizens of this State, shall thereupon be free.
SEC. 4. All slaves removed by consent of their owners to any seceded State, after the passage by such State of an act or ordinance of secession, and hereafter brought into this State by their owners, shall thereupon be free.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.