"Broom

Awakes," and the Democrats, Rangers." These were the torch bearers and shouters that paraded through the streets of the city making "night hideous." The election over and the political excitement continuing, the campaign clubs were disbanded, and military companies formed into which the members were enrolled-the Republicans into "Black Jaegers" and "Home Guards," and the Secessionists into "Minute Men."

An attempt was made by the members of the State Legislature, who sympathized with the movement of the South, to pass a measure for arming the State Militia, for the purpose, it was said, of enabling Missouri to maintain order, protect her people and their property, and make her influence among other States felt in their advocacy of peace. The measure was taken up and discussed on March 4th, and was defeated, for the alleged reason that the Assembly being conservative did not wish to arm the citizens, nor give the Governor, who was an outspoken Southern sympathizer, the power to involve the State in strife. Prior to this time Henry Boernstein and other prominent Germans commenced the formation of military companies, and soon had a dozen or more equipped. Of the German population of the city in those days, many were unnaturalized and for the most part ignorant of the language spoken by the majority of the people, and still more so of the formation of the government, the relationship of the disturbed States, or how the right of property in slaves was instituted. They were strangers, recently arrived from a foreign country, without relationship, kindred or friends in the revolting States. Through the means of emigration many had escaped a short time previously from the rigors of enforced military service and oppression in their native land, and having in some degree a knowledge and taste for military life and the power it gave, they embraced the opportunity presented by enrolling themselves as soldiers. It was not long before the peace and tranquility of the whole city was disturbed by the haughty tramp of armed men in the streets. Irritation, friction and collisions followed between people of different views to such an extent as to force many spirited men to leave their homes and business to become soldiers themselves to resist the oppression, which, as they thought, was being heaped upon the city.

Frank P. Blair was the moving spirit in this early military preparation to carry out the will of the party in power. He eagerly seized upon the opportunity to form an army, and proved to be a powerful factor in directing the movements of the Unconditional Union men in the city. Being in close touch with the authorities at Washington, he understood their wishes, and carried out with ability all orders emanating therefrom. He was a man of gifted speech and understanding, attractive, impetuous, generous, forgiving, and a born leader of men. His conduct when the war was ended cannot be forgotten, in his efforts to have restored to the disfranchised citizens of the States the right and liberties they were restrained from enjoying by bigoted politicians. Having formed the nucleus of a military command, he kept on recruiting and adding to this force until several regiments were formed and made ready for active measures.

In February, 1861, there appeared upon the scene Captain Nathaniel Lyon, an officer in the regular army, who was ordered from Kansas with his company, and on his arrival in the city was quartered at the arsenal. He was born in Connecticut in 1819 and graduated at West Point in 1841. His experience in military matters was varied and extensive. He served in the Seminole War and the Mexican War, and also against the Indians in California and Oregon. The education received at the Military Academy had a tendency to divert the attention of the students from the political problems and affiliations of the time, but he, unlike the old officers of his early days, was attracted by matters outside of military affairs. He found pleasure in contemplating the condition of the African slave and what was being done and agitated in the North for the amelioration of his condition; so that he became an Abolitionist, in fact, fanatical on the subject. He must not, however, be misjudged, but regarded as a man urged onward by what he thought to be patriotic and worthy motives, for there was no one on either side of the conflict that proved more than he the courage of his convictions. He very soon gained the confidence of Blair and his associates by his activity in strengthening the defenses of the arsenal and in organizing battalions and regiments from the raw recruits he found upon his arrival. His individuality and hatred of the

South were instilled into his subordinates, and he thereby created a partisan soldiery for the enforcement of any measure deemed necessary to crush the peaceful and independent spirit of the people of the city and. State, and force them to take sides one way or the other in the impending conflict.

The Department of Missouri was at this time under the command of General William S. Harney. It became soon apparent to Lyon and the other political soldiers that a man of Harney's mould, with such moderation and sense of justice in all things, was a stumbling block in the way toward the accomplishment of their designs. His removal consequently was sought for, and in a very short time accomplished. President Lincoln, knowing the loyalty and discretion of that distinguished soldier, seemed apprehensive of the result of such a change, and it was only after much hesitation upon his part that the orders were issued whereby Lyon and his friends became possessed of the power they yearned for, and which they put in execution without delay.

The nightmare, whether real or feigned, which disturbed the military dreams of the Unconditional Union men, was the fear that an attack upon the arsenal was contemplated by the Secessionists of the city. Lyon, on his arrival, was told of these apprehensions, and he straightway saw the opportunity it offered for ousting the conservative commandant of that post. He was thoroughly informed upon the status of the city by his spies and detectives. The name and movements of every Secessionist in the city were known to him, and if asked to do so, he could not have picked from his list the names of a sufficient number of men with the necessary determination and willingness to attack the arsenal; in fact, they did not exist at that time in the city or vicinity. The Secessionists upon the streets could not attempt it; the immature organization called "Minute Men," undrilled. and unarmed, certainly would not do so when without a chance of success before them. Anxious as the Secessionists may have been to become possessed of the arms and ammunition at the arsenal, they certainly made no attempt to get together an adequate force for their capture. All this was apparent to the major in command of the arsenal, who told Lyon, when addressed by him on the subject, that nothing up to that time had

occurred in the city which could make an attempt of the kind possible; still Blair and Lyon would have it that some unseeen and mysterious foe was ready to attempt the task. In 1858 a law was passed by the State Legislature authorizing the formation of a militia and the mustering and encamping of the same in each military district, annually, for a few days; but no provision was made in the way of appropriations to meet the necessary expenses. This drawback was met in St. Louis by subscriptions. In 1860 enough money was obtained to purchase the necessary equipment for a camp, and one was formed in the grounds of the Fair Association, where accommodation was furnished in tents for the few military companies that then existed in the city. It was named Camp Lewis, after the explorer. The military companies had in their ranks some of the city's best and most prominent young men; they had their private armories wherein they drilled. These organizations had no other object in view than mutual enjoyment and companionship. On public days they appeared upon the streets in military array with bands of music, banners and bright uniforms, and were as dashing a set of soldiers as ever won the smile of beauty. That period was peaceful and patriotic. The memory of Washington was revered and his birthday celebrated by our citizen soldiery in a becoming manner, so unlike these degenerate times, that have either forgotten the event, or displaced it with the worship of more modern heroes.

Camp Lewis proved to be a success. It afforded a great deal of pleasure to the numerous visitors who witnessed the daily drill and parade, and was a revelation to many who never had the opportunity of seeing an encampment of soldiers or the maneuvers of so many uniformed men. In the succeeding twelve months several new companies were added to the militia, and in May of the following year, 1861, a repetition of the encampment was ordered, and a site selected in what was known at that time as Lindell Grove. It was a delightful camping ground, having many large forest trees affording grateful shade that was enjoyed by both officers and men after the fatiguing exercises of the drill. The grounds were also of easy access from the business center, and reached by a street railway that terminated a short distance away.

It was named Camp Jackson, after the Governor of the State. It was bounded north by Olive, south by Laclede, east by Compton and west by Grand Avenues. At this day, the whole area is completely built up, and no one could realize the change that has taken place in the features of that historic ground but those who have witnessed the marvelous growth of the city, and few of this day reflect on the events that occurred there and their consequences. It was there that war in Missouri began. It was there the blood of innocent men and women was shed by Lyon's troops without real cause. A month prior A month prior to this occurrence the country was horrified at the action of a mob at Baltimore in assaulting and killing soldiers from Massachusetts, who were simply passing through that city. But no one dreamed that the next blood to besprinkle a street would be that of our own peaceful citizens, and shed by men in the garb of United States soldiers. It foreran similar scenes in other parts of the city, as time wore on and antipathies grew stronger.

On May 3, 1861, the preparation of the camp was begun, streets were laid out, and all the military lines for a complete camp were established, tents pitched and everything provided for the comfort of the men. For the headquarters of the general there was pitched a large marquee, in front of which floated the stars and stripes and the State flag. The camp became for the short time it was allowed to exist the resort of the fashionable people of the city, and all classes found agreeable recreation in witnessing the military exercises that took place each day. Upon May 6th the brigade assembled on Washington Avenue and marched to the camp ground. The following names are those of commanding officers and staff, regimental commanders and officers of companies:

Brigadier General D. M. Frost, commanding; Major Robert Voorhies, judge advocate and assistant adjutant general; Major John L. Anderson, paymaster; Major Jos. F. Scott, surgeon; Major M. D. Wood, aide-decamp; Major Henry W. Williams, quartermaster; Major Nich. Wall, commissary.

First Regiment-Lieutenant Colonel John Knapp, commanding; Captain W. C. Buchanan, adjutant; Captain A. J. P. Garesche, judge advocate; Captain L. S. Hatch, commissary and acting quartermaster; Captain

Louis Pim, surgeon, Captain John Drew, pay

master.

Company A, "St. Louis Greys," Martin Burke, captain; S. O. Coleman, first lieutenant; H. B. Belt, second lieutenant; R. V. Leonori, third lieutenant; and fifty-seven

men.

Company B, "Sarsfield Guards," Charles L. Rogers, captain; Thomas Curley, first lieutenant; Hugh McDermott, second lieutenant; and forty-seven men.

Company C, "Washington Guards," Patrick Gorman, captain; Robert Tucker, first lieutenant; Thomas Mozlaw, second lieutenant; Cornelius Heffernan, third lieutenant; and seventy-five men.

Company D, "Emmet Guards," Philip Coyne, captain; Edw. O'Byrne, first lieutenant; Martin Parks, second lieutenant; Joseph Shields, third lieutenant; and seventy men.

Company E, "Washington Blues," Joseph Kelly, captain; F. M. Furbar, first lieutenant; John R. Drew, second lieutenant; Daniel Woods, third lieutenant, and forty-two men.

Company F, "Laclede Guards," W. H. Fraser, captain; Stephen McBride, first lieutenant; John Thomas, second lieutenant; John Henderson, third lieutenant; and forty-three

men.

Company G, "Missouri Guards," George W. West, captain; Sol Scott, Jr., first lieutenant; A. Bernoudy, second lieutenant; F. W. Roberts, third lieutenant; and forty-eight

men.

Company H, "Jackson Guards," I. W. Wachter, captain; John W. Hennessy, first lieutenant; John M. Mooney, second lieutenant; John Bullock, third lieutenant; and forty-two men.

Company I, “Grimsley Guards," B. Newton Hart, captain; Thomas Keith, first lieutenant; Robert Finney, second lieutenant; John Gross, third lieutenant; and forty-seven

men.

Company K, "Davis Guards." Emile Longuemare, captain; Louis T. Kretchmar, first lieutenant; A. H. Hopton, second lieutenant; Jules J. Leduc, third lieutenant; and fifty-four men.

Second Regiment-Colonel John S. Bowen, commanding; Lieutenant Colonel Early A. Stein; Major James A. Shaler; Captain Thos. Floyd Smith, adjutant; Captain J. B. Cates, paymaster; Captain A. J. McGinnis,

quartermaster; Captain C. M. Hawes, surgeon; Captain James Quinlan, commissary.

Engineer Corps, “National Guards," W. B. Haseltine, captain; W. H. Finney, first lieutenant; Charles Perrine, second lieutenant; John M. Gilkerson, third lieutenant; and sixty-five men.

Company A, "Independent Guards," C. H. Frederick, captain; R. B. Clark, first lieutenant; C. McDowell, second lieutenant; O. A. Collins, third lieutenant; and forty men. Company B, O. W. Barrett, captain; L. H. Kennerly, first lieutenant; Edward Blennerhassett, second lieutenant; T. S. Russel, third lieutenant; and fifty-three men.

Company C, "Missouri Videttes," B. W. Duke, captain; J. M. Douglass, first lieutenant; A. C. Howard, second lieutenant; J. V. Smith, third lieutenant; and forty-four men. Company D, "McLaren Guards," J. W. Sanford, captain; Samuel Farrington, first lieutenant; Henry Jenkins, second lieutenant; R. W. Duffy, third lieutenant; and seventy

men.

Company E, Colton Green, captain; Chas. Throckmorton, first lieutenant; R. H. Harrington, second lieutenant; Alton Long, Jr., third lieutenant; and forty-five men.

Company F, "Jackson Grays," Hugh A. Garland, captain; I. "Rock" Champion, first lieutenant; W. C. P. Carrington, second lieutenant; W. C. Potter, third lieutenant; and sixty-two men.

Company G, G. Campbell, captain, R. R. Hutchinson, first lieutenant; W. M. Maginnis, second lieutenant; A. Julius Ham, third lieutenant; and fifty-three men.

Company H, "Southern Guards," I. J. Shackelford, captain; J. L. Buskitt, first lieutenant; J. S. Dean, second lieutenant; D. T. Samuels, third lieutenant; and sixty-two

men.

Company I, "Carondelet Guards," James M. Loughborough, captain; David Walker, first lieutenant; Edward Haren, second lieutenant; E. C. Pitcher, third lieutenant; and forty

men.

On May 7th the battalion from the southwest expedition arrived in St. Louis and marched direct to the camp, composed as follows:

Cavalry, W. Clark Kennerly, major. Troop A, Captain Staples and Lieutenant Fairbanks.

Troop B, Lieutenant A. McFarland.

There were not more than 650 rank and file in the camp when it was taken; the rest were away on leave, for the most part attending to their private affairs and business. The First Regiment, commanded by Colonel John Knapp, had comparatively few members who were at all tinctured with secession sentiments; the companies, together with that of the National Guard, or engineer company, were for the most part the old organizations that had for a long time existed in the city and had participated the year previous in Camp Lewis.

The Second Regiment, commanded by Colonel John S. Bowen, were mostly so-called "Minute Men," enrolled from the marching clubs of the political campaign of the previous fall, consisting chiefly of immature young men, with no fixed political opinions, who joined the command for nothing more than the good time it might afford them. The colonel and many of his officers were heart and soul Secessionists, and organized the regiment with the view of assisting in carrying out the views and policy of Governor Jackson, who never screened his Southern proclivities; but their hands were tied by the General Assembly failing to pass appropriation bills for arming the militia. General Frost, who commanded the camp, and was the "brigadier" for this military district, appointed by the Governor, was not regarded at that time as a Secessionist, although a strong Southern sympathizer, nor known to be in such political affiliation with his excellency; but subsequent events made it quite apparent that they fully understood one another. If, however, either of them supposed that the troops at the camp could be used to carry the State out of the Union they reckoned without their host. Of the First

Regiment at least three-fourths of the men. were in camp for pleasure only, and of the Second Regiment many were unarmed and through their inexperience wholly unreliable. On Wednesday night, May 8th, a steamboat, the "J. C. Swon," landed at the levee, having on board arms and ammunition that had been taken and shipped from the United States arsenal at Baton Rouge. The general, on being notified of the arrival, had that part of the cargo conveyed to Camp Jackson, and it remained there unpacked up to the time of the surrender. It can be safely said there were not 200 men in the camp who knew where the packages came from, what they were, or anything about them. It appears the Governor, seeing the futility of making an attempt upon the arsenal without an adequately equipped force, and being without funds to purchase, made a requisition on the Confederate government for military supplies, and what arrived on the steamer "Swon" was in response to it. Had it been delayed for four days the encampment would have been over, and Lyon deprived thereby of the excuse to show his power. He saw his opportunity and embraced it. It exhibited. very little practical sense or knowledge of the situation, and was a grave mistake to bring within the confines of the camp property that had been captured from the government by the Confederates, and by them. forwarded to St. Louis. From the disaster that followed its arrival it might be termed the "fatal shipment," and why its delivery was not made at Jefferson City to the Governor in person is a question that now cannot be answered.

The indiscretion of receiving this war material at the camp was the means of bringing sorrow to many in the city and in the State at large; it was instrumental in giving to the enemies of the non-coercion party the triumph of forcing people to declare their affiliations, either to leave their homes and take up arms, or if disqualified by age for service, to be put in jail, banished or assessed at the will of any provost marshal, who wished to avenge some old personal grievance, or with contemptible arrogance show his power. The receiving of these contraband goods gave Lyon and Blair the opportunity to proclaim an overt act had been committed against the government, and the flying of the United States flag over the encampment was

a sham and deceit. With this conception of affairs it was very easy to denounce the camp as a treasonable one, and form a plan for its immediate seizure. When this act was proposed to the "Committee of Safety," composed as it was of citizens distinguished for their uprightness in private life, it met with opposition, which was easily overcome by asserting that all Southern sympathizers should be made to acknowledge the Federal authority. The property of the government should be retaken, and as General Harney, who had been in Washington for some time, away from his military district, was on his way back to St. Louis to resume his command, it was necessary to act at once while Lyon had authority, and not wait for the arrival of the general, who might take a different view of affairs and interfere with their plans. Consequently the attacking force was put in motion on the afternoon of May 10th, and their designs accomplished.

General Frost became aware of the resolution formed by the authorities at the arsenal, and on the morning of May 10th he addressed a note to Captain Lyon, which was carried to him by Colonel J. S. Bowen, inquiring whether there was any truth in the rumor then in circulation. He set forth the lawfulness of the camp, that no hostility was intended toward the United States, and said he was at a loss to know what justification could be offered for an attack on citizens in performing a duty legally devolving upon them. Captain Lyon absolutely refused to receive the communication, and Colonel Bowen returned with it unopened. He reported the preparations he saw in progress, and had no doubt of Lyon's resolution to march upon the camp that day. General Frost, after a consultation with his officers, came to the conclusion that with only a handful of men in the camp poorly equipped for war, and with only a few pounds of ammunition, no successful opposition could be made against the superior forces under the command of Captain Lyon. There was nothing to be done, therefore, but await results. That afternoon, Captain Lyon approached the camp with a large force of infantry and artillery, Colonel Blair's regiment by the way of Laclede Avenue, Boernstein's

Pine Street, Schuttner's up Market Street, Sigel's up Olive Street, Brown's up Morgan, and McNeil's up Clark Avenue. Captain Lyon himself marched at