USA > Missouri > Johnson County > The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc > 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 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112
One was "that the southern states had no excuse for seceding, and asking the northern states to repeal all acts making the rendition of fugi- tive slaves difficult or impossible." Another was "that the general gov- ernment be requested to yield up the custom-houses and other offices in the seceded states to the people, and withdraw the federal officers occu- pying them."
Without giving farther the resolutions which were introduced, it will be sufficient here to give a copy of the resolutions offered by the majority of the committee on federal relations, of which Mr. Gamble was chairman:
1st. 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.
2d. Resolved, That the people of this state are devotedly attached to the institutions of our country, and earnestly desire that by a fair and amicable adjustment, 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 perpetuated, and peace and harmony be restored between the north and south.
3d. Resolved, That the people of this state deem the amendments to the constitution of the United States, proposed by the Hon. John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, 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.
4th. 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 constitution of the United States, and this convention therefore urges the legis- lature of this state to take the proper steps for calling such convention in pur- suance of the fifth article of the constitution, and for providing by law for an election of one delegate to such convention from each electoral district in this state.
5th. Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention, the employment of military force by the federal government to coerce the submission of the seced- ing 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 all 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.
A minority report was submitted also from two members which charged upon the north the violation of the sacred compact between the
73
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
states, in that press and pulpits had, by inflaming the people, created prejudice against slave-holding and hatred of slave-holders; that deliber- ate state legislation had thwarted the congressional " Fugitive Slave Law," that the proclamation had been avowed in unmistakable tones, that an irrepressible conflict had arisen between freedom and slavery, and slavery or the union must perish, that a leader antagonistic to the south, endeavor- ing then a policy of coercion, had been elevated to the presidential chair. The report concluded by proposing a method of conference between Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee, Arkansas and Delaware, by which a basis of settlement, by constitutional amendments could be agreed upon.
The convention procedeed on the 19th of March, to consider the reso- lutions from the majority of the committee, as reported by Mr. Gamble. The first three were adopted without change. For the fourth the follow- ing substitute was adopted:
4th. 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 for providing by law for an election by the people of such number of delegates as are to be sent to such convention.
The fifth resolution was adopted with the following amendment: "And in order to the restoration of harmony and fraternal feeling between the different sections, we would recommend the policy of withdrawing the federal troops from the forts within the borders of the seceding states where there is danger of collision between the state and federal troops."
During the process of agreeing to these resolutions, long and earnest debates were held. It may be stated truthfully, that the earnest desire was for peace, and over all was dominant the idea that military action upon either side would plunge the nation in all the horrifying melange of civil war. This much the tenor of the resolutions makes true. A reso- lution was passed favoring an election by the convention of seven dele- gates, one from each congressional district, to the border state convention proposed to be held at an early day. The following gentlemen composed the delegation: Hamilton R. Gamble, of St. Louis; John B. Henderson, of Pike; William A. Hall, of Randolph; James H. Moss, of Clay; Wil- liam Douglas, of Cooper; L. Hendricks, of Greene; William G. Pomeroy, of Crawford. After the manner of convening the body at any given or necessary time was provided for, the convention adjourned.
So limited is our space that we can only name a few of those who, dis- tinguished then, and also in later times, were members of this convention: John B. Henderson, Sterling Price, A. W. Doniphan, J. F. Phillips, Sample
74
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
Orr, J. W. McClurg, John Scott, S. M. Breckinridge, Hamilton R. Gam- ble, James O. Broadhead.
The events of 1861, in Missouri, change with kaliedoscopic rapidity, and as the clouds of war thicken, the lurid lightnings reveal scenes thrilling and strange. The position of the state is anomolous. Unlike either the north or the south, no unanimity of purpose prevails. Even as the nation was rent asunder so was the state.
Turning now for a moment to the military history, we find that coupled with the proclamation of Lincoln, there went to the governors of all the states not therein mentioned, a telegram from the secretary of war, detail- ing the quota of militia required to be furnished. Missouri was required to furnish four regiments, but to the telegram received governor Jackson responded as follows :
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 instant, making a call on Missouri for four regi- ments of men for immediate service, has been received. There can be, I appre- hend, no doubt that these men are intended to form a part of the president's army to make war upon the people of the seceded states. Your requisition, in my judgment, is illegal, unconstitutional, and revolutionary in its objects, inhu- man 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.
On April 22, 1861, Governor Jackson issued a proclamation convening the legislature on May the 2d. On the same day the adjutant-general, Warwick Hough, by order of the governor, issued a general order, from which we extract the following :
I. To attain a greater degree of efficiency and perfection in organization 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.
II. The light battery now attached to the southwest battalion and one com- pany 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 military encampment thus created in St. Louis was called Camp Jackson, and was located in the western suburbs of the city. It was organized pursuant to the order, on the 3d of May.
The proceedings of the extra session, which convened on the 2d of May, at Jefferson City, are unparalleled in the history of the state. The acts were like the rapid gusts of some storm sweeping over the earth. Infinite was the excitement of the hour. Brief as was the session, there were deep apprehensions for personal safety of members. Hostilities had
75
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
commenced along the eastern border, and in the midst of deliberations, the news came of the surrender of Camp Jackson. Among the acts passed was one suspending the apportionment of school moneys, another authorizing the banks to issue one, two and three dollar notes to the amount of one and a half million of dollars; another authorizing the gov- ernor to purchase a foundry for the manufacture of arms and munitions of war; another authorizing him to appoint a major-general to command the entire military force in time of insurrection, invasion or war; another placing twenty thousand dollars at his disposal, to maintain the peace and dignity of the state.
The most stringent measures, however, were taken after the news came that the attack on Camp Jackson had been made. There was then pending before the body, a bill providing for the "organization, govern- ment and support " of certain military forces called the " Missouri State Guard," created to enable the governor to take such measures as in his judgment he might deem necessary or proper, to repel invasion or put down rebellion, declared to exist in St. Louis. Though there was much opposition to the act, it is said to have been passed within fifteen minutes after the intelligence of the capture of Camp Jackson. The feverish excitement was scarcely allayed, when far more startling news was received. At eleven o'clock on the night following the capture, bells were rung through the streets of Jefferson City, convening the legislature in midnight session! The following was read before both houses:
To the Senate and Representatives:
I have received information that two regiments of Mr. Blair's troops are now on the way to the capital. C. F. JACKSON.
The deepest secrecy was maintained over the discussions of the perilous hour. It was half-past three o'clock in the morning when the delibera- tions over the eventful crisis came to an end. The anticipated raid was prevented by burning the railroad bridge over the Osage river, forty miles distant. On the next day comparative quiet was restored, 12,000 kegs of powder and the contents of the treasury vaults removed from the capital.
On the day previous to a final adjournment, the following resolutions from the committee on federal relations were reported to the house by George G. Vest, a prominent lawyer of Sedalia, (now United States sen- ator). Their unanimous adoption speaks the tone of the legislature in a manner that is unmistakable, and more powerful and suggestive than com- ment:
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
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
military instruction; and, whereas, the United States troops, aforesaid, assisted by a mob armed under federal authority, have also murdered, with unparalleled 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 con- vened, do hereby protest to the civilized world, and especially our sister states, against this illegal, unchristian, and inhuman violation of our rights by the cap- ture of our militia, assembled under the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of this state, and the murder of our defenseless people.
Resolved, 2d, That, whilst Missouri has been loyal to the government, strug- gling for its reconstruction, and is now sincerely desirous of an honorable adjust- ment 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 deepest hate against the people of Missouri and their institutions. Our railroads are now under military occupation. The steamboat, C. E. Hilman, engaged in transporting 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 capital 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, 3d, 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 authority from Washington, to use the exercise of this right as an excuse for his conduct, 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, 4th, That the charge of Capt. Lyon to Gen. Frost, that the proceed- ings 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, 5th, 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 mili- tary near St. Louis, and for the unconditional release of our state troops.
Resolved, 6th, That the governor be requested to take instant action, by call- ing forth the militia of the state, for the purpose of defense; and that the 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 gov- ernor of each of the states.
The governor, under the power vested in him by the recent act of the legislature, appointed as major-general of the "state guard," Sterling Price. Soon after the adjournment of this "extra session," the state capital was abandoned by the governor and other state officers.
The next deliberative body which assembles in Jefferson City is the state convention, whose proceedings in St. Louis have been given in preceding pages. The convention met on July 22. The presidential chair was vacant, Sterling Price, the former incumbent, having accepted the appoint- ment tendered him of major-general. Robert Wilson, the vice-president,
77
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
was made president, and Aikman Welch, of Johnson county, chosen vice- president. The following committee was elected "for the purpose of reporting what action was necessary to be taken by the convention in the present condition of public affairs in Missouri," viz: James O. Broadhead, of St. Louis; William A. Hall, of Randolph; Willard P. Hall, of Buchanan; William Douglass, of Cooper; L. Hendricks, of Green; and Joseph Bogy, of Ste. Genevieve, being one from each congressional district. The report, after reciting a preamble, in which it was averred that the governor and other officers of the state had deserted the capital and were engaged in forming a conspiracy by which Missouri should become compacted with the southern states in secession, recommended amendments to be ordained by the convention to the constitution. These amendments, which were adopted, declared the offices of governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, and members of the general assembly vacant, and delegated authority to that convention to fill, by election, the first three, the officers thus elected to hold office until the first Monday in November, 1861, when an election by the people might be held. They provided also for repealing "certain odious laws" (the work of the legislature at Jefferson City under Gov. Jackson), viz : the law by which the apportionment of school moneys was suspended and the laws relative to the " state guard" and to the fund for maintaining the same.
On the 31st of July the convention appointed the following officers Hamilton R. Gamble, governor; Willard P. Hall, lieutenant-governor; Mordecai Oliver, secretary of state.
After adopting an address to the people, which had been prepared by Mr. Gamble, the convention adjourned.
·Gov. Gamble, by a proclamation, called another session of the conven- tion at Mercantile Library Hall, St. Louis, October 10, 1861. The first business transacted was the adoption of an ordinance changing the time of the popular election for state officers from November, 1861, to August, 1862, and continuing Gamble, Hall and Oliver in office until that time. Next, an ordinance was adopted, which abolished the board of public works and the office of state superintendent of public schools, state and assistant state geologist, and provided that county clerks should discharge the duties of county school commissioners. But the most important action of this body was the adoption of an ordinance promulgating to the peo- ple the famous test oath of loyalty. By this every civil officer in the state, under penalty of having his office declared vacant, was made to take an oath "to support the constitution of the United States and of this state, and that he will not take up arms against the government of the United States, nor the provisional government of this state, nor give aid or com- fort to the enemies of either, during the present civil war." An ordin- ance was also passed providing exemption "from arrest or punishment for
78
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
offenses previously committed against the provisional government of this state, or giving aid or comfort to its enemies in the present civil war," to those who should take, subscribe and file said oath within sixty days. After an eight days' session, the convention adjourned. It did not con- vene again until June, 1862.
The proclamation of Gov. Jackson convening the state legislature in extra session on the 21st of October, 1861, at Neosho, reads thus: "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 government, 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 opportunity of determining whether it be proper now to dissolve the constitutional bond which binds us to the government of the United States, when all other bonds between us are broken, I, Claiborne F. Jack- son," etc.
The records of the acts passed during this session are incomplete. It is not known how many members responded to the call, but a quorum was finally obtained by compelling the attendance of absent members and the appointment of proxies. On Nov. 2, an act was unanimously passed entitled " An act declaring the ties heretofore existing between the state of Missouri and the United States of America dissolved." This act rati- fied an agreement which had been previously made by commissioners of the state and confederate government, as follows:
Whereas, It is the common desire of the state of Missouri and the Confed- erate States of America, that said state should become a member of the confed- eracy; and whereas, the accomplishment of their purpose is now prevented by an armed invasion of the territory of said state by the United States; and whereas, the interests of both demand that they should make common cause in the war waged by the United States against the liberties of both; now, there- fore, for these most desirable objects, the executive power of the state of Mis- souri has conferred full powers on Edward Carrington Cabell and Thomas L. Snead, and the president of the Confederate States of America on R. M. T. Hunter, their secretary of state, who, after having exchanged their full powers in due and proper form, have agreed to the following articles:
ARTICLE 1. The state of Missouri shall be admitted into said confederacy on an equal footing with the other states composing the same, on the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in the second section of the act of the congress of the confederate states, entitled "An act to aid the state of Missouri in repelling invasion by the United States, and to authorize the administration of said state as a member of the Confederate States of America, and for other purposes," approved August 20, 1861.
ART. 2. Until said state of Missouri shall become a member of said confed- erac'y, the whole military force, material of war, and military operations, offensive and defensive, of said state, shall be under the chief control and direction of the president of the Confederate States, upon the same basis, principles and footing
79
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
as if the said state were now and during the interval a member of said confed- eracy, the said force, together with that of the Confederate States, to be employed for their common defense.
ART. 3. The state of Missouri will, whenever she becomes a member of said confederacy, turn over to said confederate states all the public property, naval stores and munitions of war, of which she may then be in possession, acquired from the United States (excepting the public lands) on the same terms and in' the same manner as the other states of said confederacy have done in like cases.
ART. 4. All expenditures for the prosecution of the existing war, incurred by the state of Missouri, from and after the date of the signing of this conven- tion, shall be met and provided for by the Confederate States.
ART. 5. The alliance hereby made between the said state of Missouri and the Confederate States, shall be offensive and defensive, and shall be and remain in force during the continuance of the existing war with the United States, or until superseded by the admission of said state to the confederacy, and shall take effect from the date thereof, according to the provisions of the third section of the aforesaid act, approved August 20, 1861.
In faith whereof, we, the commissioners of the state of Missouri and of the Con- federate States of America, have signed and sealed these presents.
Done, in duplicate, at the city of Richmond, on the 31st day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred sixty-one.
E. C. CABELL, THOS. L. SNEAD, R. M. T. HUNTER.
It is worthy of mention here to state that at the same meeting of the legislature, that body elected as senators to the confederate congress, John B. Clark and R. L. Y. Peyton, and as representatives, Thomas A. Harris, Casper W. Bell, A. H. Conad, Thomas Freeman, George Vest, Dr. Heyer of Dent, and William M. Cooke, of St. Louis. On November 7, the assembly adjourned to meet at New Madrid, in March, 1862.
This completes the record of the work of the pen during 1861, but we have yet to narrate the work of the unsheathed sword. The civil and military history of Missouri are closely interwoven, the one in many instances, compelling the other. Yet they are far different to look upon.
CHAPTER XVI.
Military History, 1861-Letters of Frost and Lyon -- Capture of Camp Jackson-Massacre at St. Louis-Agreement of Harney and Price-Interview in St. Louis-Civil War Inaugurated-Creation of the " Western Department "-Battle of Wilson's Creek- Thompson's Call-Proclamations of Gamble and Jackson-Martial Law-Siege of Lexington-Movements of Price and Fremont-Joint Proclamation of the Two Com- manders-General Halleck Placed in Command-Letter of Sterling Price-Summary of Engagements-Forebodings.
Turning now to the military operations we have first the "order " of Warwick Hough, and the establishment of Camp Jackson. It is true that the purposes of the camp were suspected. All of Gov. Jackson's acts
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.