Letter signed Alice [E. Cayton], St. Louis, to Brother [Alexander Badger], Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory. The Governor of this state, Governor [Claiborne F.] Jackson, last month called out all the Militia of the several districts to camp on the sixth of this month for the purpose of drilling. The companies of this district as you are aware are composed of American men, Germans and Irishmen, all State troops of course. They are divided into two parties as regards politics, the Germans belonging to the Federal army, and the Americans and Irish to the Confederate army and are called “Minute Men.” The “Minute Men” went into camp out at Lindell Grove, that is, between Garrison Avenue and Grand Avenue, and Olive and Market Streets. The Germans went to the Arsenal where they have been reinforced to the amount of seven or eight thousand. On Friday, the tenth, they marched out to Lindell Grove, surrounded the Camp, which then contained eight hundred men, under the command of General D.M. Frost. They could do nothing but surrender. They were made prisoners and formed into a line ready to march to the Arsenal when a disturbance took place between the Citizens and the German soldiers. Gives account of disturbance. Harry Somers, an engineer, lost his daughter, who was shot. Explains resentment against the Germans. The Overland Mail is stopped. Cairo [Illinois] is blockaded. Individuals mentioned: Emma [Cayton], Charlie [Cayton], Frank [Cayton], Mr. Daniels, Will [Cayton], and Parma [Cayton]., 1861 May 12

Item — Box: 1, Folder: 1

Staff Only

Letter signed Alice [Alice E. Cayton], St. Louis, to her brother [Alexander Badger], May 12, 1861

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

Collection contains material of the St. Louis-based Badger family, including letters of Capt. Alexander Badger, Sr. and Jr.; newsclippings; bonds; steamboat memoranda; a pilot certificate issued to William H. Cable in 1852; envelopes of Wells Fargo and Overland Mail; cards of steamboat Magnolia and a timetable of St. Louis railroads and steamships; material concerning the Badger, Cable and Cayton families; two Missouri defense bonds issued in 186-; and several letters of Alexander Badger, circa 1860, written from Fort Vancouver, Western Territory, and various places in the west, which describe everyday happenings.