M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1861-05-16

OathP OoNhoOh w WltuOoS huO CNOiu-
tions and the maneavers of the "ait
Of war" Surely there were few who
have treaded through that beautiful
grove, surveyed the white tents
stretched upon the new.springing
vurdnre, and viewed their relatives,
cOmradS and friends engaged in the
occupation OF mimic wsrtare, under
the folds Of the Stars and Stripes
there were few, we say, who could
have supposed that 80 soon the hills
surrounding the camp would have
presented a real battle array.
Unusual, and tosOme extent, alarm.
ing activity prevailed early yesterday
morning at each rendezvous Of the
Home Guard and in the vicinity Of
the Arsenal. The men recently pro.
vided with arms from the Arsenal,
to the number Of several thousands,
were ordered to be at their different
posts at twelve o'clock, in readiness
to march as they might be command
ed: A report gained some currency
thot General .Harney was expected
on the afternoon train, and that the
troops were to cross the river to re-
ceive him and escort him to the city,
Very little reliance, however, was
placed in this explanation Of the mill
tary movements, and at about twelve
O'Clock P. NJ. the whole town became
greatly agitated upon the circulation
Of the intelligence that some five OF
six thousand men were marching up
Marketstreet, under arms, in the di'
rectlon Of Camp Jackson. The news
proved to be correct, except as to the
numbers, and in this case the report
rather under. estimated the extent ot
the force. According to the best o.
Our information, there were probably
not less than seven thousand men un'
der Captain Lyor, Commanding the
United States troops az this point,
with about twenty pieces of artillery
The troops, as stated above, march
ed at quick time up Market street, and
on arriving near Camp Jackson, rap
idly surrounded it, planting batteries
upon all the nights overlooking the
camp. Long files Of men were sta
toned in platoons ct various points or
every side, and a picket guard estab
lished covering an area OF say swC
hundred yards. The guards, will
fixed bayonets and muskets at hal
cock, were instructed to allow none t
pass or rspass within the limits thu'
taken up.
By this time an immense crowd o
people had assembled in the vicinity
having gone thither in carriages, bug
flies, raj! cars, baggage wagons, OIL
horseback and on foot. Numbers o
men seized rifles, shot.guns, or what
ever other weapons they could la.
hands upon, and rushed pell.mell t.
the assistance of the State troops, bu
were, Of course, obstructed in their 6e
sign. The hills, Of which there are {
number in the neighborhood, wer,
literally black with people hundred
of ladies and children stationing them
selves with the throng, but, as theJ
thought, out Of harms way.
Gendral Frost, commanding CsmI
jackson, received the intelligence o
the advance Of the Arsenal troops
with equanimity, but with some as
tonishment. He had heard report
that it was the design of Captain LyOl
to attack his Camp, but was not dis
posed at first to place credence il
them. So rapidly did these rumor
came to him, however, that yesterda,
morning he addressed Captain l..
note, Of which the following is copy
HEADQUARTERS, CAMP JACKSON, J
Missouri MILITIA, May 10, 1861.
Captain NJ Lyon, Commanding Unite
States Troops in and about 81. LOU
Arsenal:
SIR:-I am constantly in receipt Of :nfom
alton that you contemplate an attack upo
my Camp. whilst understand that you ar
impressed with the idea that an attack W
on the Arsenal and United States troops
intended on the part of the militia Of Mis-
souri,. / am greatly at loss 10 know whs
could justify you in attacking citizens of tn
United States who are in the lawful pei
: formance of duties devolviGg upon them. un
der the Constitution, in organizing and in
structiDg the militia OF The State in obed
enCe to her laws, and therefore have bee
disposed to doubt the correctness Of the il
formation have received.
: Iwould be glad to know from you person
ally, whether there is any truth in the state
ments that are constantly poured into m
ears. So far as regards any hostility bein
intended towards the, United States, or il
|, property or representatives, by any porto
| of my command, Or as far as | can learl
, (sEd think am fully iniormed) Of an
other part OF the State forces, can say pC
sitively that the idea has never been ente
taiEed. On the contrary, prior to your II
3 king command Of the arsenal, profered I
3 Major Bell, then in command of the vel
{ few troops constituting its guard, the seviC
nf unvaalf and all nov command anil &c ,,as