Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-22
Srlrtte0 stnstGIlanp.
From the St Louis Republican, lith
Capture of Camp Jackson-T Twenty
Citizens skilled-A Numb ber ~ rounded

From the St Louis Republican, llth-
Capture OF Camp Jackson-Twenty /
Citizens sxfIIed-A Number Wounded
In the midst of an excitement the parallel OF
which has never been experienced in st. Louis, /
we shall endeavOr to speak calmly OF the events /
of Yesterday. leaving TO another occasion, when
the Judgment can act somewhat cOOllys 70 com I
ment more at large upon the lamontable proceed \
ines. We have had strong hope that however
disastrous the present unnatural and appalling /
conflict in our political affairs might be to other /
localities. the State Of Missouri and the city of
St Louis would be spared the horrors of paTtici-
patton in il. Our readers know how industriously /
we have triel rs public journalists, TO remove
from the public mind even the apprehension OF
anv collision here For months our efforts have
been for peace-tO allay passionate ieeiing-and
70 inspire confidence in the perfect security OF all
our citizens in their various walks and avOcations
In doing this we entertained the opinion that as
excitements beCet excitements the fear OF danger
among the people was almost the surest means to
bring il on. Moreover, notwithstanding there
have been nuInberess reports and ruInOrs current
upon our streets tending to provoke bitterness OF
feeling, we have placed implicit faith in the good
sense, moderation and prudence of the commu-
rit5 to preserve the fair fame OF ST. Louis as
d.sert aad orderly city. Whilst the freedom of
; secf AID Of the press have been interfered with
t5.n sxl-aorinary extent in both the Northern
and SoutherG sections of the country, the great
sss tois...ton and iiberality Of sentiment on all
s;,ies iase prevailed here. Under these crcum
ss-nce5 &e have been justified in expressing the
belief tia. there world be no conflict in this city,
and taat the reace would be maintained.
ST. Louis has been loyal to the Union. In
State Convection meeting after the Inaugural
ton OF President Lincoln, not sing vote was
cast for secession. Missouri is in the Union, and
has taken no steps to 90 out of it. In view
of aese facts, we regard it as unfortunate, to
say The least, that our soil should have been
made the theater of such scenes we're enacted
yesterday. But of this we shall speak at another
day.
II is known to our readers that the troops or
ganzed under the militia laws of this State were
some days since ordered BY their commander in
chief the Governor, to go into encampments in
their several districts for the term of six days.
The camps thus organized were called camps of
instruction, and as was stated in the general or
ders, to attain greater degree of proficiency
in military drill. Numbers of the militia who
eneamped on last Monday at Lindel's grove, in
the suburbs OF the city, have been for years mem
bers of the several companies in which our citi-
zens have been wont to feel so much pride. Many
of them have responded to their conntry's call,
and performed noble service on the field of bat
tie Only last winter, hundreds of these yolun-
teers were seen trudging weary miles for the pro-
Il
of lawless mlrauders, meeting many ieers as
compensation for all their sacrifices. For our
selves, we have been accustomed TO look upon
the young men forming the st. Louis military as
an honor to the city, to the State, and to the
country This sentiment, we have reason to be-
heve has been shared by multitudes of our pop
ulation, as testified by the throngs of people who
have, within the past week, visited Camp Jack
son to witness the evOlutiOns and maneuvers OF
the " art of war" Surely there were few who
have threaded through that beautiful grove, sur
veved the white tents stretched upon the new
springing verdure and viewed their relatives
comrades and friends engaged in the occupation
of mimic warfare, under the folds of the Stars and
Stripes-there are few, we say who could have
supposed that so soon the hills surrounding the
camp would have presented real battle array.
Unusual and 70 some extent alarming, ac
tivity prevailed early yesterday morning at eacl
rendezvous of the 'sHOme Guard and the vicinlt,
of the Arsenal The men recently provided witt
arms from the Arsenal, to the number of sever
thousand, were ordered, we understand, TO be a
their different posts at II o'clock, in readiness, t
march as they might be commanded. A repOr
gained some currency that General Harvey wa
expected on the afternoon train, and that tn
troops were to cross the river to receive him ant
escort him to the CITY. Very little reliance, how
ever, was placed in this explanation of the mill
tary movements, and at about two O'Clock Z. NJ
the whole town became greatly agitated upo
the circulation that some FIVE six thOusan
men were marching up Market street, under arms
in the direction of Camp jackson. The new
proved to be correct, except as to the numbers
and in this case the report rather under estimate
the extent of the force. According to our be:
information, there were probably not less tina
seven thousand men under Captain Lyon, (com
manding the United States troops at this post,
with about twenty pieces ofartillery.
haf froona stated above marched at ouic
time up Market street, and on arriving nes
Camp Jackson, rapidly surrounded it, plantin
batteries upon all the nights overlooking tf
camp. Long files of men were stationed
platoons at various points every side, and
picket guard established covering an area of 50
two hundred yards. The guards. with fxt
bayonets and muskets at half cock, were il
stTucted to allow none to pass or repass with
the limits thus taken up.
By this time an immense crowd of people hs
assembled in rhe vicinity, having gone thither
carriages, busgies, rail cars baggage wagons, &
horseback and on foot Numbers of men seiz'
rifles, shot guns, or whatever other weapons th,
could lay hands upon. and rushed pell-mell to Il
assistance of the State troops, but were, of cours
obstructed in their design. The hills, of whi'
there are a number in the neighbOrhoOd, ne
literally black with people-hundredS of ladi
and children stationng themselves with q
throng, but as they thought, out of harms wa
7
ceived the intelligence OF the advance Of {
arsenal troops, with equanimity, but with sol
asfOnishment. He had heard reports that it W
the design of Capt Lyon to attack his camp, b
was not at first disposed to place eredence in the
So rapidly did these rumOrs come to him, no
ever, that yesterday morning he addressed Ca
l. note, Of which the following is copy:
HKADouA AHrEns, CAMr JACKSON, Z
Missouri Militia, May 10, 1851. \
til Sfffss Traey
and a50us ~. Louis Areendb
SR:-I am constantly in receipt Ofinformati
-. .1sSl. -I,,1is-1ly can
whilst understand that You are lmSve=Al W
the idesf TIA attack upon thes sfsesal a
United States troops IS Intended on the part
the militia of Missouri. am Creamy at |
to know what could justify YOU in attacking c
zens Of the United States who are in the law
performance CT duties devolving upon them un'
the Constitution in organizing and nstructing
militia Of the State in obedience 10 her laws. a
therefore have been disposed to doubt the c
rectness of the information have received.
would be glad to know from you personal
whether there IS any truth in the statements g
are constantly poured into my ears 30 lar
regards any hostility being intended towards
United States. or It's property OF representati
bv any portion of my command, as far q
can learn, (and / think am fully informed) of
other part of the State forces, can say positiv
that the idea has never been entertained
the contrary, prior 20 your taking command
the Arsenal, proffered to Major Bell, thea
command Of the very few troops constituting
guard. the services of myself and all my C
mand. and if necessary. the whole power Of
State to protect the Unitel States in the
possession Of al her property. Upon Gene
HaTney's taking command Of this Departm'
] made the same proffer Of services to him,
authorized his Adju.ant General, Capt. Y
Hams, to communicate the fact that such
been done to the War Department. Ihave haC
occa sion since TO change any of the views 1
tertained at that time, neither of my own '
ton, nor through orders of my constitute
Q mmaIder.
trust that after this explicit statement we
- be abe, by fllly understanding each other
keep far from our borders the misfortunes wi
so unhappiy sifiict our common country.