Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-05-23
The War Commenced.
We take the following from the St.

l LOUIS IeepoOsf'"" O' -I
 It is known to our readers that the troons organized under the military law ot this State. were some days since ordered h,r tbeir commander-in-chief, the Govern or to 60 into encampment in their several districts. for the term of six days. The camns thus organized were called camps of instruction, and tG was stated m the general orders were to attain greater degree ot rro6ciencv in military drill. Numbers of this militia who encamped on last Monday at Lindell's Grove, in the suburbs of the city, have been for years members of several companies in which our cltlzens have been wont to feel so much prde. Many of them have responded to their conntrv's call. and performed noble service on inc field of battle Only last winter hundreds of these volunteers were seen truJeing weary miles for the protection of our south western border against band of lawless murderers, meeting many .ieers as compensation for all their sacrifices. For ourselves we have been accustomed to look upon the young men forming the St. Louis military Gs an honor to the city, to the State and to the country. This senti- ment, we have reason to believe, has been shared by multitudes of our population, as testified by the throngs of people who have within the last week visited Camp Jackson. to witness the evolutions and mapeuyers of the e art of war" Surely there were few who have threaded through that beautiful grove, surveyed the white tents stretched upon the new-springing verdure, and viewed their relatives, com rades and friends engaged in the occupation of mimic warfare, under the folds of the stars and stripes-there were few, we say, who could have supposed that so soon the hills surrounding the camp would have presented real battle array.
 Universal, and to some extent alarming, activity prevailed early yesterday morning at each rendezvous of the Home Guard' and in the vicinity of the Arsenal. The men recently provided with armes from the Arsenal to the number of several thou sands. were ordered, we understand, to be at their different posts at 12 o'clock, in readiness to march as they might be com handed. A report gained some currency that General Harney was expected on the afternoon train and that the troops were to cross the river to receive him and escort him to the city Very little reliance, how eyer was placed in this explanation ot the military movements, and at about o clock P. M., the whole town became greatly agitated upon the circulation of the intel lgcnce that some five or six thousand men were marching up Market street under arms, in the direction of camp Jackson. The news proved to be correct, except as to the numbers and in this case the report rather underestimated the extent of the force. According te our information, there were probably not less than seven thousand men under Capt Loyn, Commanding the United States troops at this post with about twenty pieces of artillery.
 The troops, as stated above, marched at dick time up Market street and on arriving near camp Jackson, rapidly surrounded it., planting batteries upon all the nights, over looking the camp. Long files of men were stationed in platoons at various points on every.side, and picket guard established covering an arear of say two hundred yards.
 The guards, with fixed bayonets and at half cock, were instructed to allow none to pass or repass within the limits thus taken up.
 By this time an immense crowd of peo- ple had assembled in the vicinity-havlng gone thither in carriages, buggies, ral-cars, baggage wagons, OH horseback, and on foot, Numbers of men seized rifles, shot guns, or whatever other weapons they could lay hands upon, and rushed pell-mell to the assistance of the State troops, but were. of course obstructed in their design. The hills-of which there are number in the neighborhood literally black with people-hundreds of ladies and chil- dren stationing themselves with the throng, but, as they thought out of harms way.
 Gen. Frost, commanding camp Jackson, received the intelligence of the advance of the Arsenal troops with equanimity, but with some astonishment. He had heard reports that it was the design of Capt Lyon to attack his camp, but was not at first disposed to place credence i'll them. So rapidly did these rumors come to him, however, that yesterday he addressed Capt. L. a note, of which the following is copy:
 HEADouARrERs AMP JACKSON,
 Missouri MILITIA, May 10, 1861. Copt. ". L1Dn, Comma nding United States Troops
 in and about St. Louis Arsenal:
 SIR: 1 am constantly in receipt of information that you contemplate attack upon my camp, whilst understand that you are impressed with the idea that an attack upon the Arsenal and United States troops is intended the part of tine Missouri militia l am greatly at loss to know what could justify you in attacking citizens of the United States who are in the lawful performance of duties devolvng upon them under the constitution. in or ganizing and insructing the militia of the State in obedience to her laws, and therefore have been disposed to doubt the correctness of the informa- tiOn have received.
 would be glad to know from you, personally, whether there is any truth in the statements that are constantly poured into my ears So far garls any hostility being intended toward the Uni ted States or its property representatives by any portion of my command, far as l can learn, (and think am fully informed,) of any other part of the State forces, can S positively that the idea has never been entertained. On the con- trary, prior to your taking command of the Arse nal proftered to Major Bell then in command of the very few troops constituting it's guard, the vices of myself and all of my command, and, if necessary, the whole power of the State to protect the United States in the full possession of all her property. Upon General Harney taking command of this department, made the same profer of ser vices to him, and authorized his Ad utant General Captain Williams, to communicate the fact that such had been done to the war department. Ihave had no occasion since to change any of the views I entertained at that time, neither of my own vo- tion, nor through orders of my constitutional commander.
 trust that after this explicit statement we may be able, by fully understanding each other, to keep far from OFT borders the misfortunes which so un happily afflict our common country.
 This communication will be handed to you by Col. Bowen, my chief of staff, who will be able to explain anything not fully set forth ill the fore going
 am sir, very respectfully,
 Your obedient servant,
 Brig. Gen'l D. M. FROST,
 Commanding Camp Jackson, M. V. M.
 Capt Lyon refused to receive the above communication. He forwarded Gen. Frost the following, about the time, if we are not mistaken, of the surrounding of his camp:
 HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES TRooPs,
 ST. LOUIS, Mo- May 10, l8Gl