ons from
Washington, it is my duty to demand, and I do hereby demand
of you, an immediate surrender of your command, with no
other conditions than that all persons surrendering under
this demand shall be humanely and kindly treated. Believing
myself prepared to enforce this demand, one-half hour's time
before doing so will be allowed for your compliance
therewith. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

N. LYON, Captain, 2d United States Infantry,
Commanding Troops.

There were a few anxious minutes following this, but it must be said to
Frost's credit as a soldier that he promptly recognized the situation
and acted upon it. Soon a horseman rode out from the camp, and
approaching Lyon handed him the following note:

77

Camp Jackson, Mo., May 10, 1861. Capt. N. Lyon, Commanding
U. S. Troops.

Sir: I, never for a moment having conceived the Idea that so
illegal and unconstitutional a demand as I have just
received from you would be made by an officer of the United
States Army, am wholly unprepared to defend my command from
this unwarranted attack, and shall therefore be forced to
comply with your demand.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. M. FROST, Brigadier-General, Commanding Camp Jackson,
Missouri Volunteer Militia.

Lyon read it, turned to his second in command and remarked: "Sweeny,
they surrender."

Sweeny turned to his men with the order to replace their
cartridge-boxes, which they did with an air of disappointment. There
had been so much talk during the weeks and months of preparation about
fighting and such irritating threatenings, that the Union troops were
anxious to "take a fall" out of their opponents, and see what would be
the result. Lyon dismounted, and unfortunately the fractious horse of
one of his Aids at that instant kicked him in the stomach, knocking
him senseless. While in this condition, Wm. D. Wood, Frost's
Adjutant-General, rode up and inquired for Gen. Lyon. Gen. Sweeny,
desiring to conceal Lyon's condition from the enemy, replied that he
would receive any message intended for the General. Col. Wood then said:

"Gen. Frost sends his compliments to Gen. Lyon, and wishes
to know if the officers will be allowed to retain their
side-arms, what disposition shall be made of Government
property, and if a guard will be sent to relieve his