|
|
|
| Sunday May 12, 1861 |
General Harney back in command in St. Louis issues a
proclamation.
PROCLAMATION
MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST,
Saint Louis, Mo., May 12, 1861.
I have just returned to this post, and have assumed the military
command of this department. No one can more deeply regret the
deplorable state of things existing here than myself. The past
cannot be recalled. I can only deal with the present and the
future. I most anxiously desire to discharge the delicate and
onerous duties devolved upon me so as to preserve the public
peace. I shall carefully abstain from the exercise of any
unnecessary powers and from all interference with the proper
functions of the public officers of the State and city. I therefore call
upon the public authorities and the people to aid me in preserving
the public peace.
The military force stationed in this department by authority of the
Government, and now under my command, will only be used in
the last resort to preserve the peace. I trust I may be spared the
necessity of resorting to martial law, but the public peace must be
preserved, and the lives and property of the people protected.
Upon a careful review of my instructions I find I have no authority
to change the location of the Home Guards. To avoid all cause of
irritation and excitement, if called upon to aid the local authorities
in preserving the public peace, I shall in preference make use of
the Regular Army.
I ask the people to pursue their peaceful avocations, and to
observe the laws and orders of their local authorities, and to
abstain from the excitements of public meetings and heated
discussions. My appeal I trust may not be in vain, and I pledge the
faith of a soldier to the earnest discharge of my duty.
WM. S. HARNEY,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding Department.