The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-05-17
THE ST. LOUIS RIOT.

THE ST. LOUIS RIOT.
Capture Of Camp Jackson..Riot in
the Streets---Men, Women and
Children Killed.
Some weeks ago, Governor JACKSON, of
Missouri, ordered the formation of mili>
tary camp at st. Louis, with view to i'm.
provement in military drill. Under COM
mand of Gen. Frost the camp was orga-
nized near Lindelps grove, near the city, and
force of about one thousand men stationed
there. 1t became evident that this force
was intended, ultimately, for an attack upon
the United States Arsenal at st. Louis. A
day or two ago, number Of large guns
were received and taken into the camp.
The federal government did not approve of
this menacing camp, in such close prox~
unity to the arsenal, and consequently Capt.
Lyon, in command at the arsenal, was or.
dered to disperse or take the camp. He
executed bis orders with success. The
Missouri officers and soldiers refused to give
their parole, not to serve against the United
States and were taken as prisoners of war.
The telegraph gave us but meagre account
OF this movement, and we therefore give the
full particulars, received by the last mail:
ST. LOUIS, May 10, 1890 P. M.
Zen. Frost's brigade of Missouri Militia,
encanped at Camp Jackson, on the western
outskirts of the city, surrendered uncondi-
tionally, this afternoon, on demand of Capt.
Lyon, commander of the United States
forces in this city. Capt. Lyon marched
on Camp jackson with some 5000 volun-
teers, surrounded it and planted eight field
pieces on adjoining eminences. The follow
ing letter was sent from Capt. Lyon to Gen.
Frost:
HEAD QUARTMRs, U. s. TRooPs,|
st. Louis, May 10th.
SIR Your command is regarded as evident
ly hostile towards the Government of the United
States. 1t is for the most part made up of those
secesslonists who have openly avowed their
hostility to the General Government. and have
been plotting at the seizure of its property and
the overthrow of its authority. You are openly
N communication with the so.called Southern
Gontederacy, which is now at war with the
United States, and are receiving at your camp,
from said Confederacy, and under its flag, large
supplies OF material of war, most of which l
know to be the property of the United States.
These extraordinary preparations plainly indi.
cate none other than the well known purpose
OF the Governor of this State, under whose or
ders you are acting and whose purpose recently
communicated to the Legislature, has lust been
responded to by that body in most unparalleled
legislation, having in direct view hostilities to
the General Government and cooperation with
Its enemies. In view of these considerations
and your failure to disperse in obedience to the
proclamation of the President and of eminent
necessity, and the obligations imposed upon
me by instructions from Washington, it is INV
duty to demand. and do hereby demand of uot
an immediate surrender of your command with
no other condition than that all persons sur
rendering under this demand shall be humanely
and kindly treated. Believing myself prepared
to enforce this demand. one. half hours time
compliance Herewith.
lSigned,] N. LYON,
Capt I'd Infantry Commanding.
1t is understood that Gen, d. M. Frost
says this letter was not received by him
until his camp was surrounded by United
States troops. He then replied that the
encampment was organized under law of
tAe State simply for organized drilling of
the volunteer militia of his military district,
and not expecting any demonstration, he was
unprepared to successfully resist an attack.
Therefore he accepted the terms specified
and surrendered his command.
About 800 men then in camp. IA LARGE
number being 10 the city on eave,) then
iald down their arms and were escorted to
the city as prisoners OF War.
As the prisoners were released on parole
and teRder of officers and troops, provi.
ding they would take oath not to take up
arms against the United States government.
which they declined to do on the ground
that it implied that they had already taken
up arms against the Government. which
they disclaimed.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
The order of Gen. Lyon from Wasbioo-
ton was to take the arms and the whole
cam the Government deeming it improper
that so large force should be In camp over
this city. Gen. Lyon accordingly made
demand OF Gen. Frost for an unconditional
surrender OF men, arms and camp equipage,
and gave him half an hour to consider. No
answer having been returned, Gen. Lyon
ordered his forces to march upon Gen.
Frost's camp. The forces consisted of
500 regulars. Col. Blair's, Col. Boernstein's,
Gen. Sigel's and Schuttner's Regiments
amounting in all to about forty. live hund.
red men. The United States Reserve forces.
or Home Guard, two Regiments under
Cols. Mcneil and Brown were held in re.
serve.
The troops marched through the CITY
amid the greatest excitement OF the peonIe
Thousands accompanied them to the
grounds. They arrived at the camp about
three o'clock, and in most brilliant ma.
neuvre at once surrounded the whole
grounds, unlimbered the artillery and took
position. LvOn. now Rri0adier Coro,oI :.