The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-24
rHE CAPTURE OF CAMP JACKSON.
Interesting Letter from . st. Louis
Volunteer.

AmsoE0ssan& A0Ceof 1fOm Sc Louis
Volunteer.
The Chicago Tribune publishes the follow.
ing interesting letter from St. Louis vol.
unteer who participated in the capture of
Gen. FRosr's brigade Of Secessionists at st.
Louis-addressed to his friends in this city /:
-. la ST. Louis, May IL. 1861.
DEAR Cousin :. I write you amid the
most intense excitement our city has ever
known. As 1 suppose the telegraph has
this morning placed you in possession of
the facts connected with the capture of
State troops at Camp jackson, will
give you some minor particulars, and some
account of the state OF feeling this morning.
On Thursday afternoon it became appar-
ent in the quarters of our regiment that
something like business" was in immedi-
date prospect. During the afternoon and
night, until late hour, the companies were
assidu0usly practising those manual exer-
cises which precede the order fire." Our
company being unexpectedly placed on
guard at eight O'Clock, for the ensuing
twenty-four hours had the opportunity of
hearing certain vague hints at seizure of
shipment Of arms, supposed to have been
received by the "Swan" and conveyed to
Camp jackson, being the property of the
Government. The night was exceedingly
dark, and the rain fell in torrents. We
suppose-for we privates know little of the
plans of generals and colonels-that the un-
propitiousness of the weather deferred the
attack. At about midnight all the com.
panies excepting our own, on guard, were
dismissed, and matters quietted down into
the steady, slow, solemn pace of sentinels,
and the slowing away of men of the reliefs
not on, upon and under tables, benches and
stairs. The subscriber was fortunate
enough to secure bench at least ten inches
wide, after his relief, and with an overcoat
for pillow, coaxed himself into state of
insenslbility just in time to be aroused by
the report of a musket. In an instant
all hands were ordered to "fall in,"
and the usual preparations for resisting
an attack made. Word, however, was
shortly received that the alarm was oc.
casioned by the accidental discharge of
musket in the hands of sentinel on the
lower floor. Of course l went to bench
again at the earliest moment. During all
the next day the active preparations for an
attack were carried on, until about three in
the afternoon, when several regiments from
the Arsenal, under command of Capt. Lyon,
passed up in front of our quarters. Then
began such scene as 1 never before wit.
messed. The enthusiasm and impatience of
delay, was with difficulty restrained. Many
feared we were not to be permitted to par
ticipate in the attack, as our company was
in charge of the building for the day. Soon,
however, in our turn the cartridges were
served out to US, and then we took up our
line of march. refer you to the papers
for particulars of the capitulation, and trans.
fer OF arms and stores. The feeling of quiet,
grateful satisfaction manifested in our Dor.
ton of the line, which surrounded the camp
l cannot describe. My own feelings as we
stood looking across the ravine which sepa-
rated us from it, and sung the -" Star
Spangled Banner" and My Country tits
of thee," were new and overpowering.
Never did l feel inspired by so deep love
for my flag and my country, or so devout
desire that the God of our fathers" would
give US success. The transfer of prisoners
and property was made at too great dis
lance for US to be spectators of it, the camp
being in grove of oak trees. The firing
of two volleys, after the surrender, not be.
ing understood by Us, caused extreme
anxiety, and was explained by various and
contradictory reports. From the statement
of a number of reliable eye witnesses, l
gather that portion of the line, after being
booted at, threatened, and stoned by the
mob, were fred upon by portion Of the
surrendered force. The fire killed one men,
Der OF Capt. Blandowski's company, and
brought that officer wounded, to the ground
He ordered his command to fire, and the
melancholy results detailed 10 this mornings
papers ensued.
To-day the mob spirit is rampant. Many
shots have been fired in the streets, and
wounds and death are the result. As I
passed down Market street, about IL o'clock,
met some half dozen Zouaves running to.
wards quarters, but suppose they were
simply behind time. In an instant, however,
a shot was fired square ahead, and then a
man, apparently U. s. soldier, came up,
hotly pursued by perhaps hundred roughs,
who threw stones as they ran. They turned
corner, and not being disposed to join the
chase, saw no more OF them. The condi-
ton OF things is dreadful. Many families
are flying to free territory. am unable TO
judge correctly of putlic sentiment, having
had no opportunity day of convers.
ing with citizen friends but the rab-
bic, the equals of street loafers and bar
room loungers, hurrah loudly for JEFF Davis.
l fear awless mob more than all the
armies OF the rebels. The city must and
will be put under martial law, and the rab.
bic disarmed, before any of us will be safe.
In effecting this, we look gratefully, hope.
fully, across the river, knowing that loyal
Illinois will help us, to any required extent.
l fear must send my family away, for l
cannot be at home to protect them. Last
night l could not get passed out until after
midnight, and with orders to appear at nine
this morning. At twelve l was dismissed
till seven this evening, and shall probably be
kept on duty all night. should not be the
worse for this could | feel that my family