Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-06-21
ProcIamatIon of mrIg. Gen. Lyon .

Proclamation on uriR. Gen. Lyon
BooNvILLE, June 20. I
The following Proclamation was issued to
day;
BooNvILLE, June 16.
People of Misaoufl:
Upon leaving the city of st. Louis, In conse
quence Of the declaration Of war made by thl
Governor Of this State against the Governme en-
OF the United States, because l would not as.
sumo on its behalf to relinquish it's duties an,
abdicate Its rights of protecting loyal citizen
from the oppression and cruelties Of the secss-
sionists In this State, published an address b
the people, In which declared my intention Il
use the force under my command for no othe
purpose than the maintenance of the authorit,
Of the General Government, and the protection
Of the rights and property OF all law abiding
citizens. t
The State authorities, in violation of an agree
mont with Gen. Harney, on the 2lst OF MAY
last, abandoned the Capital, Issued orders fol
the destruction of the railroad and telegram
lines, and proceeded to his point to put in exc
cution their hostile preparations toward the
General Government.
This devolved upon me the necessity of meet.
ing this issue to the best of my ability; and,
accordingly, moved to this point with por.
ton of the force under my command, and at.
tackled and dispersed the hostile forces gathered
here by the Governor, and took possession of the
camp equipage left, and q considerable num-
Der Of prisoners, most Of them young and of
immature age, who represent that they have
been misled by frauds ingeniously devised and
industriously circulated by designing leaders.
who seek to dsvolve upon unrefscting and de
luded followers the task lof securing the object
of their own false ambition.
Out Of compassion for these misguided youth,
and to correct impressions created by unscru-
pul0us calumniators, / liberated them, unon
condition that they will not serve in the I'M
pending hostilities against the u. s. Govern
ment. have done this in spite of the known
fact that the leaders in the present rebellion.
having long experienced the mildness of the
General Government, still feel confident that
this mildness canrNot be overtaxed, even by fac
tious hostilities, having in view its overthrow.
But lest, as in the case Of the late Camp Jack
son affair, this cIemency shall still be miscon-
strued. 1t is proper to give warning that the
Government cannot be always expected to in
dulge IL to the compromise of its evident wei.
fare.
Having been Informed that those plotting
against the Government have falsely represent.
ed that the Government troops intended forci-
BILE and violent invasion of Missouri, for pur-
poses Of military despotism and tyranny, | here.
by give notice to the people of this State, that
shall scrupulously avoid all interference with
the business, rights and property of every de-
scription recognized BY the laws of this State,
belonging to- law-abdng citizens; but it is
equally my duty to maintain the paramount
authority OF the United States with such force
as have at my command, which will be retain.
ed only as long as opposition shall render it ne
cessary; and that 1t is my wish, and shall be
my purpose, to devolve any unavoidable ripor,
arising in this issue, upon those only who pro.
woke il. I.t
All persons who, under the misapprehensions
above mentioned, have taken up arms, or who
are preparing to do 30, are invited to return to
their homes, and relinquish their hostile atti-
tude to the Federal Government, and are as
sured that they may do so without being molest
ed forpast occurrences.
(Signed,)
~.. A. LYON, Brigadier General,
U. s. v. Commanding.