Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-03-12
GEN. LYUN IN MISSOURI.
The Record Made by One ofthe Firss
Generals to Fall in the R Rebellion.

| CUlh > duuluiSLPdLlOu. CapI. Lyon
was placed in command Of the St
Louis arsenal, where large amount
Of public property was stored He
was the man for the place, and the
fullest reliance was felt at Washing
ton II his Judgment and patriotism.
April 80, 1861, President Lincoln
directed him to enroll in the military
servlee Of the United States the loyal
citizens of st. LOUIS, not exceeding
ten thousand IN number, for the proper
maintenance of the federal authority
there May the police commission
ers OF st. Louis officially demanded
OF Capt. Lyon the withdrawal of
federal troops from all buildings and
places in the city outside of the ar
senal grounds. Lyon emphatically
refused compliance with the demand,
and the commissioners submitted the
question to Gov Claiborne T. jack
son, Who at that time plotting for the
withdrawal of Missouri from the
union. Meanwhile a large force of
state militia was ordered into encamp-
ment, ostensibly for military disci-
pline and drill, but in fact for the
furtherance of Gov. Jacksons trea-
sonahe aims. Gen. D. NJ Frost was
in command. May 10, Capt, Lyon
compelled the surrender of the entire
force at Camp Jackson under Gen.
Frost on the ground that it was
evidently hostile toward the govern
mentof the United States" It was a
bold movement on the part of Lyon,
but tie situation justified it. The 18th
of May, one week after the surrender
Of Gen. Frost, Capt. Lyon was ap-
pointed brigadier general Of the volun-
teer force by President Lincoln, soon
after7ard becoming commander-in-
chief bf the federal army in Missouri.
An active campaign was inaugurated,
IN which Gen. Lyon displayed superb
qualities as commander, and except.
ionalF clear judgment in dealing
with state and national issues. His
prime object was to keep the state of
Missouri from joining its destiny
with that Of the confederacy. Gov.
jackson was doing all he could to
carry Ehe state out of the union. June
! 16, Gen. Lyon, with a force of nearly
two thousand men, left Jefferson City
IN pursuit Of Gen. jackson. The
I
diap4rsed at Boonville, and Lyon
issued his proclamation to the people
of Missouri from that place, June Is,
Ia which he SAID that he should scru-
pulously avoid all interferenees with
the business, rights, ard property OF
every description recognized by the
laws of the state and belonging to
law abiding citizens, but deemed it
equally his duty to maintain the para
mount authority Of the United States
with such forces as he had at com
mand. The vigorous policy of Gen
Lyon was of great advantage to the
government, and served effectively
in keeping the principal towns on the
| Missouri river, and indeed, through
out the state, as DR.. Woodward says
federal authorities. On the Sd of
July, Gen, Lyon, with force OF 2, 700
men and four pieces Of artillery, left
Boenville for Springfield, in south
western Missouri, again in pursuit Of
Gov. Jackson and the disunionists
under Price. His army received &C"
cesslons along the way, and encamped
In the neighborhood of Springfield
July Il. "By incredible exertions,"
says DIR. Wood ward, Gen. Lyons had
forced the armed enemies of the
government into the southwestern
corner OF the state. Barely a month
before the rebel leaders menaced ST.
Louis, and had confidently predic-
ted the extinction of all federal au-
thorlty in Missouri. Within five weeks
. | |
Gen. Price from Jefferson City, from
Boonvllle, and now to the very bor
ders Of Arkansas.
The occupation Of Springfield by
Gen. Lyon was attended with great
hazard and peril to himself and the
gallant bod y of troops under hin. His
entire force did not exceed five thous-
and. -Four southern armies were sta
toned along the border under Gen.
Prlce, McC ulloch, Pearce, and Nc
Bride. Concentration was easy for
them. Gen. Lyou, conscious of the
danger surrounding him, wrote: =
have tried 10 discharge my whole daty
to the government, and have appeal
ed for reinforcements and supplies;
but, alas! they do not come, and the
enemy Is getting the advantage of us.
| The evacuation Of Spring gfeld forced
itself upon his attention. A council
of war was held Aug. 7. Most of the
officers favored the evacuation of
Springfield. Gen. Sweeney, how
ever, opposed the measure, pointing
out that it would entail unbearable
hardship On the union residents, and
that the loyal people would be over
whelmed with disaster, from the
secessionists if abandoned by the
federal forces. The withdrawal would
be attributed to cowardice by the
southern leaders. For these reasons
and others OF a similar nature he
thought the army should maintain its
position until absolutely forced to
leave. These views fully coincided
with Gea. Lyons feeling gs ssand pur
poses. The day after on being asked
when Springfield was to be evacuated
he replied: ''Not until we are whip
ped Mean while the disunion forces