The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-24
OFFICIAL STATEMENT.

The first firing was some half dozen shots
near the head OF the column composed of the
First Regiment, which was guarding the pris.
oners. 1t occurred in this wise The artillery
were stationed on the bluff northeast of Camp
jackson, with their pieces bearing on the
camp: The men of this command were most
lnsultingly treated by the mob with the foul.
est eplthets-were pushed, struck and pelted
with stones and dirt. All this was patiently
borne until one of the mob discharged a re-
volver at the men. At this they fired, but not
more than six shots, which were sufficient to
dispense that portion of the mob. How many
were killed by this fire is not known. None
OF the First Regiment (Col. Blair's) fred al
though continually and shamefully abused by
both the prisoners and the mob.
The second and most destructive firing was
from the rear of the column guarding the
prisoners.
The mob at the point intervening between
Camp Jackson and the rear of the column,
and IN fact, on all sides, were very abusive,
and one OF them on being expostulated with,
became very beligerant, drew his revolver,
and fired at Lieut.. SaXton of the regular army,
three times, during which crowd around him
cheered him on, many of them drawing their
revolvers and firing at the United States
troops. The man who commenced the firing
preparatory to a fourth shot laid his pistol
across his arm and was taking deliberate aim
at Lieut.. SaxtOn, when he was thrust through
with a bayOnet and fired upon at the same time,
being killed instantly. Here the column of
troops having received the order to march,
Lieut.. Saxton's command passed on, and a
company in his rear became the objects of a
furlons attack from the mob. After several
OF them were shot, they came to a halt and
fired, with fatal effect. The mob in retreating
from both sides of the line returned the fire
and the troops replied again. The command
was then given by Gen. Lyon to cease firing,
and the order was promptly obeyed as rapidly
as 1t could be passed along the line.
The Sad results are much to be lamented.
Inc Killing OF innocent men, women and chill
dren 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 mani.
rested every forbearance and at last discharged
their guns, simply obeying the impulse, natu-
raj to US ALL of self defense. If innocent men,
women and children, whose curiosity placed
them In dangerous position, suffered with the
guilty, it is no fault of the troops.
Authorized by N. LYON.
Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune
ST.. LOUIS, May ID.
The proclamation of Gen. Harvey has
had most salutary effect. The excitement
is dying out. The secessionists have sig.
nally failed in their efforts to create new
mobs, and the closing of the whisky dens
has deprived them of their most powerful
ally. To-day all is quiet. No murder has
been committed since Saturday. The names
of the parties who murdered two of the
members of the Ninth and Tenth Ward
Home Guards are known. The affair will,
no doubt, be investigated, and the murderers
punished.
All is activity at the arsenal.
Gen. Frost has been superseded in his
command of the State troops, and General
Sterling Price has been appointed in bis
place.
The Governor is preparing to defend
Jefferson City.
All the railroads leading from St. Louis
are in possession of the United States troops.
The Home Guards are continually under
arms, ready for any emergency.
Hon. Lyman Trumbull is in our city to-
day, and visited the arsenal. He pronounced
the capture of the secessionists camp here
the death blow to secession in Missouri
The first news of the capture of Camp
jackson threw the city of Jefferson into a
terrible state of excitement. The first dis
patch was that Col. Blair was marching
with 1000 men on the camp; the next that
he had taken it without a gun being fired,
and that Frost and his command were COW.
ards-this was sent by Tucker; the next
that be had only demanded and received the
artillery of the camp, lately brought from
the southwest The next report, and which
created more terrible stir in the Assem-
bly,, was that two regiments were on the
march from St.. Louis to capture Jefferson
City and take the Assembly and Governor
prisoners.
The State House was put under guard,
the State Treasury was removed from the
city, and every citizen was instructed to
arm himself, if possible, and turn out. A
special train was got ready and started out,
and burned one span of bridge on the
Pacific railroad, and then returned.
The Union feeling at Jefferson City was
rather on the increase than otherwise. 81