The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-05-14
rFrtm The 81 Louis Evening News
CITING MILITARY 5 DEMON
ATHATHuN.

tions made yesterday morning by tho Gov
eminent troops, briefly alluded to in our pa
per, we're, it appears, not without purpose
A demo net, alton was made about 2 p. n.
which startled the whole city. and resulted
In the unconditional surrender by Gen. Fros
of Camp jackson. The Government foros
engaged in the enterprise lie said to hav.
numbered about seven thousand men, oil
we'll armed and carrying several pieces oil
heavy cannon. Gen Frost's command did
not reach thousand, and were but poorly
supplied with arms and ammunition. They
were in no sort Of condition TO make resist
ance to the superior force brought agains,
them.
Intelligence reached the city about noon
that troops were emerging from the Arsenal
and the Marine Hospital below, and march
ing up with the design OF attacking the State
troops at Camp Jackson, in Lindell's Grove,
Just west of the city.
The news first came in whispers, but it
spread rapidly throughout the CITY. 1t was
confirmed by the spectacle OF vidcttes and
mounted messengers dashing in hot haste
along the streets, and from post to post 10
the suburbs, bearing orders from the Camp
to the armories OF the State troops in the
city, calling ON ell soldiers on furlough to
repair to headquarters Immediately.
There was scarcely any visible and out
ward excitement among the citizens hut
there was perceptibe on every countenance
q breathless expectation of the bursting, at
any moment, of long expected strife.
Thousands of persons, men, women and
children, repaired to the vicinity OF the bat
tle-h field, BY the street cars, in carriages, in
wagons, and ON foot, while those who re-
manned in the city walked quietly through
the streets, or stood on the corners, scarcely
speaking, or conversing in low tones, and
listening for the FIRST roar of cannon or rat
tie Of musketry that was expected to open
the combat.
Those who went to the vicinity Of the
Camp, seemed so absorbed with the interest
Of the occasion, as to be insensible Of the
danger they stood 10. The hill and slopes
near the Camp, were covered black with
tnrongs who pressed to within few rods Of
the Arsenal troops, and who, in the event Of
an engagement, would have been moved
down BY the fire from the Camp.
The troops from the Arsenal approached
in several divisions. one body going out
Market street, another out Pine street, an
other out Olive, and another approaching
the Camp from the southeast. One regi-
ment was stationed near the camp on the
Olive street road, another few hundred
yards to tho rear on the same road, a third
in pasture on the left OF this, while bate.
ries were planted On the elevation to the
right OF the Olive street road, and three
hundred yards farther west, on another
height.
The space between these batteries and the
Camp was perfectly clear, and the fire from
them would have swept the entire grove
where the State troops were eneamped. The
situation Of the field allowed an ery view
of the greater portion of the movements
and the flashing of the serried muskess
above the black lines that marked the posi-
ton of the Arsenal troops and the glaring
Of hayone.s in the camp, as the troops there
stationed, marched undcr the trees, was q
spectacle at once thrilling and imposing.
Ii ia said that the troops at the Camp,
though vaguely anticipating an attack for
several DAYS past, were good Zeal surprised
when the actual approach Of the Arsenal
troops vas announced The approach was
first indicated BY the rapid running and ex
cited NOV ments Of persons outsids the grove.
The shout Was raised 10 the Camp, ssThes re
coming! they're coming 20 and instantly the
expected attack.
The Arsenal troops, under Captain LYON.
having tax en- position, a demand for uneon
dlTl0naT surrender was sent 10 Brigadier-
General Frost, commanding the State troops
with notice that fifteen minutes would be al
lowed him 10 decide. After a brief consult.
alton with his officers, Gen. Frost complied
with the demand. and surrendered his com
Tbn "A 49,
the ground, and abandoning their camp
eqnipnge. supplies, and munitions, were made
prisoners OF war. An order was given for
the release OF ali who would take the oath Of
allegiance to the United States--a PROPOSE
ton which small number accepted
A number OF the State officers and all the
troops protested vehemently, and some oil
them with tears In ther eyes, against surrcn.
dering, and begged their General to resist tc
the last. One or two companies refused. a,
first, 10 give up their arms, and were ony
prevailed on TO submit to the conditions after
the most peremptory orders. Several of th,
officers broke their swords rather than civ,
them up.
And, yet, II must be acknowledged, unde,
the circumstances, the surrender was Also.
lusely necessary. The Camp, i'll supplied
with arms, with but few rounds Of ammuni.
ton. without breastwnrks, or defences of nm,
kind, WINS completely surrounded BY a trebl,
or quadruple force, aided by powerful bat
teries that would have made the battle littl,
else than massacre.
The Arsenal force on the ground, unde,
Capt. Lyon, was composed Of four full regi
ments, and several artillery companiee. Will,
a considerable reserve was stationed at thu
head oil Morgan street, on Garrison avenue
TO be used in the event Of being needed.
/ Gen Frost's force, all told, vas not ms r
| than 1900. and q considerable number ever
OF these we're absent in the city on leave
VI course, resistance by these TO n completed,
appointed army yaripusy estimated al 4 sol
TO 5000, would have been madness. and sur
| render WIS decided on az the alternatira !,