Magoffin's Demands of the President. selves and to the State peace and tranquillity as the fruits of the policy they adopted. My single object now is to promote the continuance of these blessings to the people of this State. "Until within a brief period the people of Kentucky were quiet and tranquil, free from domestic strife, and undisturbed by internal commotion. They have resisted no law, rebelled against no authority, engaged in no revolution, but constantly proclaimed their firm determination to pursue their peaceful avocations, earnestly hoping that their own soil would be spared the presence of armed troops, and that the scene of conflict would be kept removed beyond the border of their State. By thus avoiding all occasions for the introduction of bodies of armed soldiers, and offering no provocation for the presence of military force, the people of Kentucky have sincerely striven to preserve in their State domestic peace, and avert the calamities of sanguinary engagements. "Recently a large body of soldiers have been enlisted in the United States Army and collected in military camps in the central portion of Kentucky. This movement was preceded by the active organization of companies, regiments, &c., consisting of men sworn into the United States service, under officers holding commissions from yourself. Ordnance, arms, munitions and supplies of war are being transported into the State, and placed in large quantities in these camps. In a word, an army is now being organized and quartered within the State, supplied with all the appliances of war, without the consent or advice of the authorities of the State, and without consultation with those most prominently known and recognized as loyal citizens. This movement now imperils that peace and tranquallity which from the beginning of our present difficulties have been the paramount desire of this people, and which, up to this time, they have so secured to the State. Within Kentucky there has been, and is likely to be, no occasion for the presence of a military force. The people are quiet and tranquil, feeling no apprehension of any occasion arising to invoke protection from the Federal arm. They have asked that their territory be left free from military occu patiou, and the present tranquillity of their communication left uninvaded by soldiers, They do not desire that Kentucky shall be required to supply the battle field for the contending armies, or become the theatre of the war. "Now, therefore, as Governor of the State of Kentucky, and in the name of the people I have the honor to represent, and with the single and earnest desire to avert from their peaceful homes the hor rors of war, I urge the removal from the limits of Kentucky of the military force now organized and in camp within the State. If such action as is hereby urged be promptly taken, I firmly believe the peace of the people of Kentucky will be preserved, and the horrors of a bloody war will be averted from a people now peaceful and tranquil. "B. MAGOFFIN." This communication was dispatched by the hands of two "Commissioners," whom the Governor "accredited" to the President, With much good sense, and no little sarcasm, the President refused to receive the Commissioners in any other capacity than as private citizens. Under date of the 24th, he answered Magoffin's demand in these plain but determined words: The President's Answer. "WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. 24th, 1861. "To his Excellency, B. MAGOFFIN, Governor of the State of Kentucky: "Sir: Your letter of the 19th inst., in which you urge the removal from the limits of Kentucky of the military force now organized, and in camp within that State,' is received. "I may not possess full and precisely accurate knowledge upon this subject; but I believe it is true that there is a military force in camp within Kentucky, acting by authority of the United States, which force is not very large, and is not now being augmented. "I also believe that some arms have been furnished to this force by the United States. "I also believe that this force consists exclusively of Kentuckians, having their camp in the immediate vicinity of their own homes, and not assailing or menacing any of the good people of Kentucky. 66 In all I have done in the premises I have acted upon the urgent solicitation of many Kentuckians, and in accordance with what I believed and still believe to be the wish of a majority of all the Union loving people of Kentucky. "While I have conversed on the subject with many eminent men of Kentucky, including a large majority of her members of Congress, I do not remember that any one of them, or any other person, except your Excellency and the bearers of your Excellency's letter, has urged me to remove the military force from Kentucky or to disband it. One other very worthy citizen of Kentucky did solicit me to have the augmenting of the force suspended for a time. "Taking all the means within my reach to form a judgment, I do not believe it is the popular wish of Kentucky that the force shall be removed beyond ASSEMBLY OF THE LEGISLATURE. 319 . her limits; and with this impression, I must respect- | the Governor submitted his fully decline to so remove it. "I most cordially sympathize with your Excel lency in the wish to preserve the peace of my own native State, Kentucky; but it is with regret I search, and cannot find, in your very short letter any declaration or intimation that you entertain any desire for the preservation of the Federal Union. "ABRAHAM LINCOLN." Position of Kentucky. of a State authority ques- forcibly illustrates the absurdity of the "State Rights" dogma, on which the whole scheme of secession was founded. If Governor Magoffin could order Abraham Lincoln's troops away, and could sustain Kentucky's "neutrality," Federal authority and rights were a farce—a State was superior to the General Government. This assumption was too preposterous and wicked for the loyal men of Kentucky to tolerate. Sentiment rapidly formed against neutrality and for open co-operation with the National authorities in suppressing the dissolution revolution. Efforts of the Secessionists. Assembly of the Message, the abstract of people. If the people of Kentucky desired more troops, let them be obtained under the Constitution of Kentucky. He recommended that the act of April, 1861, be so amended as to enable the Military Board to borrow a sufficient sum for the purchase of arms and munitions for Kentucky's defense. The Governor also inferred from the President's letter (given above) that Mr. Lincoln would remove the troops if the people requested it. He recommended the passage of resolutions requesting all troops or military bodies, not under State authority, to disband. of Federal arms and of their distribution to He complained of the continued introduction private citizens. That "source of irritation" should be arrested, &c., &c. His further views of national relations were thus expounded: Pending the assembly of the Legislature (Sept. 3d), intense excitement prevailed through the entire area of the State regarding the condition of affairs. Agents of the Southern Confederacy were everywhere, laboring by their open personal efforts, by the press, by intrigue, by threats and brilliant promises, to cajole the people from their loyalty. John C. Breckenridge as chief operator threw into the desperate game Kentucky has meant to wait the exhausting of all his political and personal influence. A all civil remedies before they will reconsider the dispatch dated Sept. 4th, stated: "It is un-question of assuming new external relations; but I drstood in Frankfort that Governor Magoffin have never understood that they will tamely submit refused to play into the hands of the rabid to the unconstitutional aggres ions of the North; Secessionists; that he has had a quarrel with that they renounce their sympathy with the people Mr. Breckenridge; that he refuses to demand of her aggrieved sister States, nor that they will the breaking up of the United States camp in approve of a war to subjugate the South. Still can Garrard county, and that he declares that he I not construe any of their votes as meaning that will submit to the will of the majority of the they will prosecute a coercive war against their people of Kentucky, as may be expressed Southern brethren. They meant only that they have still some hope of the restoration and perpetthrough the Legislature." uation of the Union, and until that hope is blasted they will not alter their existing relations. Their final decision will be law to me, and I will execute The Legislature assembled Sept. 3d, but was not fully organized until the 5th, when every constitutional act of their representatives as vigilantly and faithfully as though it originated with myself." evac The Legislature did not sympathise with the sentiments here expressed, to any emphatic degree. The House (Sept. 11th) adopted a resolution directing the Governor to issue a proclamation ordering the Confederate troops, encamped in the State, to uate the soil of Kentucky. The vote on the passage of the resolution stood 71 in favor to 26 against. It then refused to suspend the rules, in order to allow the introduction of a resolution ordering the Governor to issue a proclamation ordering both the Federal and Confederate troops to evacuate the State. This was promptly folThe Test Resolves. lowed, by the passage through both Houses, of the following loyal and decided resolves: "Resolved, That Kentucky's peace and neutrailty have been wantonly violated, her soil has been in vaded, the rights of her citizens have been grossly infringed by the so-called Southern Confederate forces. This has been done without cause; there Resolved, That we appeal to the people of Kentucky by the ties of patriotism and honor, by the ties of common interest and common defense, by the remembrances of the past, and by the hopes of future National existence, to assist in repelling and driving out the wanton violators of our peace and neutrality, the lawless invaders of our soil." This passed the House by a vote of 68 to 26-indicating the Union strength in that “conservative" body. But, Governor Magoffin, although he had promised to obey and enforce, faithfully, the mandate of the Legislature, had not counted upon this loyalty. He attempted to stay the Union-ward set of the tide by a veto of the resolutions (Sept. Excitement among the People. 13th); but their quick repassage, by the Legislature, over his veto, warned him that the game of secession was dead in Kentucky. This action was called for by the perilous state of affairs. A dispatch from Louisville, Sept. 9th, stated: "The irritation between the Unionists and the secession element in this city is hourly increasing. The best informed politicians hold that the crisis has been reached, and that the neutrality phantom will give way in a few days to a hostile collision, and that Kentucky will share the fate of Missouri. The Union men of this city loudly demand prompt and energetic action on the part of the Legislature for suppressing rebel movements in the State, and are very restive under the dilatory policy thus far pursued. A delegation of Tennessee Secessionists, assisted by Senators Breckenridge and Powell, ex-Governor Morehead and others, are exerting their utmost to prevent the Legislative endorsement of the formation of military camps in the State. A call for additional volunteers is urged by more decided Unionists." Military Plot and Counter-plot. The Confederates were, of course, restive under this state of things. The game of plot and counter-plot among milita ry commanders commenced early in the month. General Grant, the Federal officer in command at Cairo, telegraphed to the Legislature, September 5th, that the rebel forces, in considerable numbers, had invaded Kentucky, and were occupying and fortifying strong positions at Hickman and Chalk Bluffs. To this communication the Legisla ture replied, that his message, and one from Governor Harris of Tennessee, had been referred to a special committee. The Tennessee oligarch wrote: "The Confederate troops that landed at Hickman last night, did so without my knowledge and consent, and, I am confident, also without the consent of the President. I have telegraphed President Davis, requesting their immediate withdrawal,” Grant resolved not to await the invitation extended by Governor Harris to General Polk to abandon Kentucky soil, but to compel the evacuation of Hickman by counter-occupancy. Military Plot and Counter-plot. KENTUCKY TROOPS IN THE FIELD. 821 On the morning of the 6th, | early as Sept. 5th. He had not even the he was in Paducah, Ken- pretence of "Federal invasion," in that ditucky, with two regiments rection. His movement was an open menace of infantry, one battery and two gun boats. of Kentucky, but designed, more particularHe found many rebel flags flying in differently, to cut off East Tennessee from Federal aid. parts of the city, in expectation of the arrival of the Southern army, which was reported three thousand eight hundred strong, sixteen miles distant. Loyal citizens tore down the rebel flags on the arrival of our troops. Grant took possession of the telegraph office, railroad depot and the Marine Hospital. He found large quantities of complete rations and leather for the Southern army. The following proclamation was immediately published: "I have come among you not as an enemy but as your fellow citizen. Not to maltreat or annoy you, but to respect and enforce the rights of all loyal citizens. An enemy in rebellion against our common Government, has taken possession of and planted his guns on the soil of Kentucky and fired upon you. Columbus and Hickman are in his hands. He is moving upon your city. I am here to defend you against this enemy, to assist the authority and sovereignty of your Government. I have nothing to do with opinions, and shall deal only with armed rebellion and its aiders and abettors. You can pursue your usual avocations with out fear. The strong arm of the Government is here to protect its friends and punish its enemies. Whenever it is manifest that you are able to defend yourselves and maintain the authority of the Government and protect the rights of loyal citizens, ! shall withdraw the forces under my command. "U. S. GRANT, The staunch loyalty to the Union of the vast majority of the people of that section, gave the Confederate chiefs some cause of alarm; and dispositions were made of their forces not only to crush out the Union uprising, but to keep out Federal aid. Kentucky Troops in the Field. These invasions by the Southern army so clearly indicated the rule of the bayonet to accomplish Confederate designs, that the Unionists of the State hastened the formation of regiments to fill Kentucky's quota of National forces. Rosseau's brigade was already in the field. Hon. Ja's S. Jackson organized a regiment of cavalry, which was ready for service by Sept. 20th. Other regiments rapidly formed, particularly after General Robert Anderson assumed command of the "Department of Kentucky," Sept. 20th. The Legislature did not long hesitate. Invasion and the occupancy of their soil by the Confederates broke down all barriers and left no time for delay in the choice of their course. The legislators did not hesitate in expressing their loyalty and devotion to the Union. Sept. 25th an amended bill was introduced in the House, from the Committee on Military Affairs, calling out forty thousand volunteers from one to three years, which was passed by a vote of sixty-seven to thirteen. The Senate concurred by a vote of twenty-one to five. The same day the Senate also passed, by sixteen to ten, a bill providing that Kentuckians who have voluntarily joined the anti-force invading the State, shall be incapable of taking any estate in Kentucky by devise, bequest, or distribution, unless they return to their allegiance within sixty days, or escape from the invaders as soon as pos the West, the Confederatessible. From that moment "neutrality" was end were not idle in the East. Zollicoffer occupied Cumberland Gap and an advance ed, and Kentucky was true to her traditions position in its vicinity, on Kentucky soil, as of patriotism and fealty to the Constitution. Disorganized State of Affairs. element. Jackson's emissaries were both THE disaster to our army | may come to the possession of the State without at Wilson's Creek was pre- being captured by the United States. It is further ceded by much important enjoined on all citizens of suitable age, to enroll political action. The reorganization of the themselves in military organizations, that they may State Executive [see page 293] did not result take part in the defense of the State. All citizens in a peaceful acquiescence by the Secessionist who are embodied under the act of the last Assembly, commonly called the Military law, are notified that the act has been abrogated, the troops disalarmed and maddened at the deposition of banded, and the act of the same session for the ap their chief. Soon, the entire area of the State pointment of a Major-General has been annulled, became the seat of a relentless and distress- and all soldiers are enjoined to cease acting in a ing guerrilla war, which the want of arms and military capacity. If those citizens who, at the call of military organization prevented the Union- of the late Governor, have taken up arms, choose ists from putting down. Fremont addressed to return voluntarily to their homes, to the peaceful himself to a suppression of the bands of vil- pursuit of their occupations, they will find in the lains roaming every where in quest of plun- present Executive a determination to afford them no doubt der and blood; but, the heavy demands all the security in his power, and there made for field forces to cope with the organ-officers and their troops of the Confederate States, entertained that they will be unmolested. The ized armies of Pillow, Price and McCullough, left him but small means for chasing out the ruffian freebooters. August 5th. Governor Gamble was constrained to issue a proclamation for the arrest and punishment of the guerrillas. As it illustrates the state of affairs at its date, we quote: Governor Gamble's Proclamation. "I do hereby strictly charge and enjoin upon all sheriffs, and other magistrates who are conservators of the peace, to use all the powers conferred upon them by law in arresting and bringing to punishment all persons who disturb the public peace by using violence against any of their fellow citizens; who have invaded Missouri, are notified that it is against the will of the people of Missouri that they should continue on the soil of the State, and that their continuance in Missouri will be considered an act of war, designed to bring upon our State the horrors of war, which Missouri wishes to avoid. They are, therefore notified to depart at once from the State." Martial Law in Northern Missouri This heralded a strong effort in Northern Missouri to place that section under martial law. The county seats of Warren, Montgomery, Lincoln, Calloway, Andrain, Pike, Rollo, Monroe, Randolph, Howard, Mason, Shelby, Marion, Lewis, Knox, Lynn, Scotland, Clark and Livingston counties, it was arranged, should be occupied by the Union forces. The occupation comprised the following features: and especially are you charged to bring to justice all who combine to practice violence against other persons on account of their political opinions; aud if force should be employed to resist you in the discharge of your duties to an extent that you cannot overcome, by the means provided by law, you are charged to make known that fact to this depart- "The commanding officers of the forces will ap ment, that proper measures may be taken in such point committees of public safety from the respon cases. It is enjoined on all citizens that they per-sible citizens of the county, whose duty it shall be form the duty of giving information of deposite of to preserve the peace in their respective counties. munitions of war belonging to the State, that they Each committee shall consist of not more than four |