Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-14
DEMAND or CAPT. LYON
THE CORRESPONDENTS.
The Excitement in the city.
Prom the St. Louis Republican, May IL.

In the midst of an excitement the parallel of
which has never been experienced in st. Louis, we
shall endeavor speak calmly of the events of yes
terday, leaving to another occasion, when the Judg
ment can act somewhat cooly, to comment more at
large upon the lamentable proceedings. We have
had strong hope that however disastrous the pre-
sent unnatural and appalling conflict in our politl-
cal affairs might be TO other localities, the State OF
Missouri and the city of st. Louis would be spared
the horrors of participation in it. Our readers
know how industriOusly we have tried. as public
journalist, to remove from the public mind even the
apprehension OF any collision here. For months
our efforts have been for peace-to allay passion
ate feelng-and to inspire confidence in the perfect
security of all citizens in their various walks
and svocations. In doing this we entertained the
opinion that as excitements beget excitements the
fear of danger among the people was almost the
surest means to bring it on. Moreover, notwlth-
standing there have been numbeIless reports and
rumors current upon our streets tending 10 pro-.
woke bitterness of feeling. we have placed implicit
faith in the good sense moderation and prudence OF
the community to preserve the fair fame OF 81.
Louis as a discreet and orderly city. Whilst the
freedom of speech and of the press have Oeen IN
terfered with to an extraordinary extent IN both
the Northern and Southern sections of the country,
the greatest liberation and hberalNy OF sent nent
on all sides have prevailed here. Under these cir
cumstances we have been justified in expressing
the belief that there would be no conflict In this
CITY and that the peace would be maintained
St Louis has been loyal to the Union. In Site
Convention meeting after the Inauguration of Pres
ident Lincoln not a single vote was cast for seces-
sion. Missouri is in the Union, and has taken no
stems to 90 out of it. In view of these facts we re-
gard it as unfortunate to say the least that our SOIL
should have been made the theatre of such scenes
as were enacted yesterday. But of this we shall
speak at another day.
II is known to our readers that the troops organ
lied under the militia laws of this State were some
DAYS since ordered by their the
Governor, to go into encampment 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 orders, were to attain
greater degree of proficiency in military drill Num-
bers of the militia who encamped on last Monday at
Lindell's Grove in the suburbs of the city, have
been for years members of the several companies
in which our citizens have been wont to feel so
much pride. Many of them have responded st their
couptry's call and performed noble service on the
field of battle Only last winter hundreds OF these
volunteers were seen trudging weary miles for the
protection of our southwestern border against a
| band of lawless marauders, meeting many Jeers
az compensation for all sheir 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-
leve has been shared by multitudes Of our popula-
ton as testified by the throngs of people who have
within the past week visited Camp Jackson, to wits
ness the evolutiOns and maDGuvres Of the " art
/ of war" Surely there were few who have thread
| ed through this beautiful grove, surveyed the
white tents stretched upon the springing yer
| dure and viewed their relatives, comrades, and
friends engaged in the occupation of mimic warfare
under the folds of the stare and strpes-there were
few. we say who could have supposed that soon the
hills surrounding the camp would have presented a
| real battle array.
prevailed early yesterday morning st each rendez
| vous of the "Home GIardn and in the vicinity OF
| the Arsenal The men recently provided with arms
from the arsenal to the number of several thousands
were ordered we understand, to be at their dltter-
ent posts at IL O'clock readiness 10 march as they
| might be commanded. A report gained some eur
rency that Gen Harvey was expected on the alter
noon train and that the troops were to cross the
river TO receive him and escort hi to the city Very
little reliance however, was placed in this eHplana
/ ton of the military movements, and at about
| O'Clock p NJ the whole town became greatly agitat-
ed upon the circulation of the intelligence that some
1 five or six Thousand men were marching up Market
street under arms in the direction OF camp JACK
SON. The news proved to be correct, except as to
the numbers and in this case the report rather IN
derestimaed the extent of the force. According to
| our best information there were probably not less
| than Eeyen thousand men under Capt Lyon, (com
manding the United States troops at this post with
| about twenty pieces of artillery.
The troops as stated above marched at quick
| time I'D Market street, and on arriving near
Camp Jackson rapidly surrounded it, planting bat
teries upon all the heights overlooking the camp
Long files of men were stationed IN piatoons az va
| rious points on every side, and picket guard es
| tablished covering an area OF two hundred yards
| The guards with fixed bayonets and muskets half
cock. were instructed to GLOW none to pass or re
| mass within the limits thus taken up.
| = Ry this time an immense crowd OF people had
assembled in the vicinity, having gone thither II
| carriages buggies, rail carS, baggage wagons on
horseback. and on foot Numbers Of men seized
rifles. shot guns, or whatever other weapons they
could lay hands upon. and rushed peH-mel u
| the assistance of the State troops, but were, -o
course, obstructed in their design. The hills, o.
| which there were q number in the neighoorhood
| were literally black with peOple-hundreds OF Ia
dies and children stationing themselves with thu
throng but as they thought, out of harms way
| Cen Frost commanding Camp Jacks on, received
the intelligence of the advance of the Arsena
troops with eguanimity, but with some astonlsn
ment. He had heard reports that It was the design
of Capt Lyon 10 attack his camp, but was not a
first disposed to give credence TO them so rapidly
| did these runors come to him, however, that yes
terday morning he addressed Capt Lyon note, o
which..th following is copy:
HEADQUARTERS, CAMP JACKSON,
l Missouri MILITIA, May 10, 1861.
Cart. N LYONS, Commanding United 6totes troops
and db5t st. LOlte Arsenal
| SIR-I am constantly in receipt OF information
that YOU contemplate an attack upon my CAM
whilst understand that you are impressed W1Gn u
| idea that an attack upon the Arsenal and Unite
Estates troops is intended on the part OF the miti
of Missouri. am greatly at loss to know wha
could Justify you in attacking citizens Of the Unite
States who are in the lawful performance OF dutie
devolvipo upon them under the Constitution IN o.
ganzlng and instructing the militia of the State
| Obedience to her laws and therefore have been di
nosed to doubt the correctness of the information
have received. .....s. ~
would be glad to know from you PERSONAL
whether there IS any truth in the statements that
constantly poured into my ears. So far as regarC
any hostility being intended towards the Unitt
States or It's property representatives by any pc
ton of my command or as far as l can learn, Gar
think 1 am fully informed) Of any other part
the State forces, say positively that the idt
has never been entertained. On the contrary, pri
to your taking command of the Arsenal, proffer'
to Mai Bell then in command of the very few troo
constituting it, guarn, the services OF myself a
| all my command, and, If necessary. the VINO
power of the State to protect the Unit.
States in the fnll possession of all her proper
Upon General Harney's taking command o. =. -
y Department made the same proffer o. service
;, him, and authorized his Adjutant General OSl