into a rout, and the
Confederates scattered in wild flight, led by their Governor, who, like
James II. at the battle of the Boyne, had witnessed the skirmish from a
neighboring eminence. The losses on each side were equal--two killed
and some eight or nine wounded.

Lyon pushed on at once to the camp of the enemy, and there captured some
1,200 pairs of shoes, 20 to 30 tents, and a considerable quantity of
ammunition, with quite a supply of arms, blankets and personal effects.

125

The detachment which had gone by the river on the boats aided in
securing the victory by a noisy bombardment with their howitzer,
and landing at the town, captured two six-pounders, with a number of
prisoners. The Mayor of Boonville came out and formally surrendered
the town to Gen. Lyon and Col. Blair. Parties were sent out the various
roads to continue the pursuit, and Gen. Lyon issued the following
proclamation, admirable in tone and wording, to counteract that of the
Governor and quiet the people, especially as to interference with slave
property:

To the People of Missouri:

Upon leaving the city of St. Louis, In consequence of the
declaration of war made by the Governor of this State
against the Government of the United States, because I would
not assume in its behalf to relinquish its duties and
abdicate its rights of protecting loyal citizens from the
oppression and cruelties of Secessionists in this State, I
published an address to the people, in which I declared my
intention to use the force under my command for no other
purpose than the maintenance of the authority of the General
Government and the protection of the rights and property of
all law-abiding citizens. The State authorities, in
violation of an agreement with Gen. Harney, on the 21st of
May last, had drawn together and organized upon a large
scale the means of warfare, and having made declaration of
war, they abandoned the Capital, issued orders for the
destruction of the railroad and telegraph lines, and
proceeded to this point to put in execution their purposes
toward the General Government. This devolved upon me the
necessity of meeting this issue to the best of my ability,
and accordingly I moved to this point with a portion of the
force under my command, attacked and dispersed hostile
forces gathered here by the Governor, and took possession