Headquarters Western army, camp near Spingfield, Mo., Aug. 12, 1861.
To the People of
Missouri:--
Having been called by the
Governor of your State to assist in driving the
National forces out of the
State, and in restoring the people to their just rights, I have come among you simply
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with the view of making war upon our Northern foes, to drive them back, and give the oppressed of your State an opportunity of again standing up as freemen, and uttering their true sentiments.
You have been overrun and trampled upon by the mercenary hordes of the North; your beautiful State has been nearly subjugated, but those true sons of Missouri who have continued in arms, together with my force, came back upon the enemy, and we have gained over them a great and signal victory.
Their General-in-chief is slain, and many of their other general officers wounded; their army is in full flight; and now, if the true men of Missouri will rise up and rally around our standard, the State will be redeemed.
I do not come among you to make war upon any of your people, whether Union or otherwise.
The Union people will all be protected in their rights and property.
It is earnestly recommended to them to return to their homes.
Prisoners of the Union party who have been arrested by the army will be released and allowed to return to their friends.
Missouri must be allowed to choose her own destiny — no oaths binding your consciences.
I have driven the enemy from among you. The time has now arrived for the people of the State to act. You can no longer procrastinate.
Missouri must now take her position, be it North or South.
The General commanding takes great pleasure in announcing to the army under his command the signal victory it has just gained.
Soldiers of
Louisiana, of
Arkansas, of
Missouri, and of
Texas, nobly have you sustained yourselves.
Shoulder to shoulder you have met the enemy and driven him before you. Your first battle has been glorious, and your general is proud of you. The opposing force, composed mostly of the old regular army of the
North, have thrown themselves upon you confident of victory, but by great gallantry and determined courage you have routed it with great slaughter.
Several pieces of artillery and many prisoners are now in your hands.
The
commander-in-chief of the enemy is slain, and many of the
general officers wounded.
The flag of the
Confederacy now floats near
Springfield, the stronghold of the enemy.
The friends of our cause who have been imprisoned there are released.
While announcing to the army the great victory, the
General hopes that the laurels you have gained will not be tarnished by a single outrage.
The private property of citizens of either party must be respected.
Soldiers who fought as you did day before yesterday cannot rob or plunder.
By order of
