The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-15
DETAILS OE THE RIor AT sT. LOUIS.


ganized under toe militia laws of this State were
some days since ordered by their Commander-in-
Chiet, the Governor, to go into encampment In
their several districts for the term of six days. The
camps thus organized were called camps OF in
tructiOn, and as was stated in the general orders
were to attain a greater degree 2f proficiency in
military drill. Numbers of the militia who en-
camped on last Monday at Lindels 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 at their country's call, and
pertormed noble service on the field of battle.
Unusual, and to some extent, alarming activity
prevailed early yesterday morning at each rendeZ-
vOus OF the Home Guard and in the vicinity of the
Arsenal The recently provided with arms
from the Arsenal, to the number of several thou
sands were ordered to be their different posts
IL O'Clock in readiness to march as they might be
commanded. A report gained some currency that
Gen. Harvey was expected on the afternoon train,
and that the troops 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 military movements, and at about two
O'Clock, i. NJ, the whole town became greatly
agitateG upon the circulation of the intelligence
that some tige or six thousand men were marching
up Market street, under arms, in the direction of
Camp Jackson. The news proved to be correct, ex-
cept as to the numbers, and in this the report
rather underestimate the extent of the force. Ac
cording to the best of our information, there
probably not less than seven thousand men under
Captain Lyon, Commanding the United States
troops at this post,) with about twenty pieces of
artillery.
The troops, as stated above marched at quick
time up Market street. and on arriving near Camp
Jackson, rapidly surrounded it, planting batteries
upon all the heights overlo king the camp. Long
files of men stationed in platoons at various
points every side, and picket guard establish
ed covering area Of say two hundred yards
The guards, with fixed bayonets and muskets at
half-cock, instructed to allow none to pass or
repass within the limits thus taken up.
BY this time an immense crowd of people had
assembled in the vicinity, having gone thiher in
carriages, buggies, rail-cars, baggage wagons, on
horseback and foot. Numbers of men seized
rifles, Shot-guns or whatever other weapons they
could lay hands upon, and rushed pell-mel to the
assistance of the State troops, but were, of course,
obstructed in their design. The hills, of which
there are a number in the neghbOrhood, were lit
orally black with people-hundreds of ladies and
children stationing themselves with the throDg,
but, as they thought, out of harms way.
General Frost, commanding Camp Jackson re-
ceived the intelligence of the advance of the
Arsenal troops with equanimitv, but with some
astonishment. He had heard reports that it was
the design of Captain Lyon to attack his Camp,
but not disposed Mt first to place credence in
them. So rapidly did these rumors come to him,
however, that yesterday morning he addressed
Captain l.. note, of which the following is a
copy:
HEADQUARTERS, CAMP JACKSON,
MISSOURI MILITIA. May 10.
Captain ~ Lyon Commanding United States Troops in
and about 50. Louis Arsenal:
SIR constantly in receipt of information that
you contemplate attack upon my Camp, whilst un-
dertand that you impressed with the idea that
attack upon the Arsenal and United States troops is in
tended on the part of the militia of Missouri am
greatly at less 10 know what could justify you in attack
ing citizens of the United States who in the law fu per-
formance of duties devolving upon them, under the
Constitution in organizing and instructng the militia of
the State in obede to her laws and therefore have
been disposed to doubt the correctness of the information
have received.
would be glad to know from you personally, whether
there any truth in the statements that constantly
poured INTO my ears so Tar as regards any hostility
being intended toward the United Stat its property
representatives, by any portion of my command
far as car learn (and think am fully informcdl of
any other part of the State forces, say positively
that the idea has been entertained On the
trary, prior to your taking command of the Arsenal
pofered to Major Bell then in command of the few
troops constituting its guard the service OF myself and
all my command, and necessary, the whole power Of
the State to protect the United States in the full posses
sion of all her property Upon General Harneys taking
command Of this department, made the same prof
fer of services to him, and authorized his AdiutanG
era Captain Williams, to communicate the fact that such
had been done to the War Department. have had no
occasion since change any of the views entertained
at that time neither of my yolitn through
ders Of my constitutional commander
trust that after this explicit statement, may he
able by fully understanding each other to keep far from
borders the msfortunes which unhappy aflic
common country
This commune cation will be handed to you by Colonel
Bowen my Chief of staff who will be able to explain any
thing not fully set forth in the foregoing,
am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier General D. NJ. FROST;
Commanding Camp Jackson, NJ. V. NJ.
The Republican states that Captain Lyon refused
to receive the above Communication, but forwarded
to General Frost the demand to surrender, which
was published in this paper on Monday. The Re
publican says:
Immediately on the receipt of the foregoing,
General Frost called a hasty consultation of the
off Of tafT he n as
=soGE toi.HgyS. fhe brigade in no condition
TO make rasistaac@ 10 IA force sn numerically sape
riOr. With but few field-piaces of small caibre,
and with less than dozen rounds of cartridges for
his command, battle must necessarily be of short
duration, and of but result-the total rout and
defeat OF the State troops. To have wthstoOd an
attack would have been sheer recklessness and cru
city to the men of General FrOsts command In
short, the brigade not by any means, in a war
condition. General Frost stated moreover, that
he had no war to wage upon the United States or
its troops; that he only acting in cheerful ODE
dience to the orders of his superior officer, and in
compliance with the laws of the State; that he ad
anticipated no conflict, and would not willingly
jeOpardiZe the lives of his men in anything that
might be construed into hostility to the United
States Government. Only course was to be
pursued, and that was quickly agreed upon, viz:
a surrender.
The demand of Captain Lyon was accordingly
agreed to. The State troops were therefore made
prisoners of war, but an offer was made to release
them on cOndltl n that they would take an Oath
to support the Constitution OF the United States,
and would swear not to take up arms against the
Government. These terms were made known to
the several commands, and the opportunity given
to all who might feel disposed to accede to them to
do So. Some eight or ten signified their will
lngness; but the remainder, about eight hundred,
preferred, under the circumstances, to become prs-
oners. a number of the troops were absent from
the camp in the city, on leave Those who de-
clined to take the prescribed oath said that they
4 Il. H. 4
and to defend the Government, and to repeat it
would be to admit that they had been in rebellion,
which they would not cOncede.
The preparations for the surrender and for march
ing, prisoners, under the escort of the Arsenal
troops, occupied an hour or two. The brigade was
then formed in line, headed by Gener al Frost and
his staff, on horseback, and, with coors flying and
drums beating, marched through the wood skirt
ing the road up to an opening that had been made
in the fence near the turnpike. Here a halt was
ordered for some reason, and the opportunity was
improved by large crowd of excited citizens to
draw the officers OF the staff and salute them
with cheers. The men appeared detected and
rather sad, but evidently were not conscious OF
having done anything COW ardly. One Of the off
CHEFS achieved volley of deafening huzzas by
riding up to a fence and hacking away at it with
his sword, breaking and bending it so to render
it entirely useless. 1t was very handsome sword,
costing 500, and was recent present from some
military friends. This example followed by
others, amidst shouts of applause.
About halt-past five the prisoners of war left the
grove and entered the road, the United States sol
diers nclOsing them by single file stretched along
each side of the line. halt was ordered and the
troops remained standing in the position they had
depoyed on to the road in. The head ot the column
at the time rested opposite small hill on the left
you approach the city, and the rear was line
with the entrance to the grove. Vast crowds oi
people covered the surrounding grounds and every
fence and house-top in the vicinity. Suddenly the
sharp reports of several firearms heard from
the front of the column and the spectators that
lined the adjacent hill were seen fleeing in the
greatest dismay and terror. 1t appears that sever.
al members of one of the German companies, on
being pressed by the crowd and receiving some
blows from them, turned and discharged their
pieces.
Fortunately no was injured, and the soldiers
who had done the act were at once placed under
arrest. Hardly, however, had tranquility been
restored when voilev after vollev of rifle reports
were suddenly heard from the extreme rear ranks
aud men, women and children were beheld running
wildly and franticaIy away from the scene. Many,
while running, suddenly struck to the sod
and the wounded and dying made the late beautiful
field look like a battle ground. We went over the
grove Immediately after the occurrence, and a
more fearful and ghasty sight is seldom Men
lay gasping in the agony of death, and staining the
green grass with their blood it flowed from their
wounds. Children of eight or ten years of age
were pale and motionless as if asleep under the
trees, and women cried in pain as they lay upon
the ground One, girl OF fourteen, presented
mournful picture as she reclined against a stump,
her face cold and white from the sudden touch OF
death. We counted fifteen dead persons, and hall
as many wounded, lying around.
The only bodies recognized last night were those
of Walter Mcdowell, living on Elizabeth street,
killed by a shot in the temple, Emily Sommers, a
girl of fourteen, whose parents live Carr and
Seventeenth streets; Thomas A. Haren, residence
on Sixth street, above O'Falen, and Nicholas
Knoboch, an artillery man, were recognized among
the dead A son of Captain Andrew Eisenhower
was killed by gun shot in the cnest. man
named Carl, Mrs. McCauff, and mechanic at
the Pacific Machine Shop, Christian Dean, were
recognized after being taken to the dead-house.
The wounded who were unable to be moved were
suitably care for on the grounds. Mr.. Claiborne