September 20, 1863, Saint Louis, Mo,.
Major General J. M. Schofield to General-in-Chief Halleck

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, September 20, 1863.

 Major-General HALLECK,
General-in. Chief, Washington, D.C.:

GENERAL: I inclose herewith a copy of an order which I have found it necessary to publish and enforce. The revolutionary faction which has so long been striving to gain the ascendency in Missouri, particularly in Saint Louis, to overthrow the present State government and change the policy of the national administration, has at length succeeded, so far as to produce open mutiny of one of the militia regiments and serious difficulties in others. I inclose a number of slips from papers published in Missouri, to show the extent to which this factious opposition to the Government has been carried. The effect already produced is but natural, and the ultimate effect will be disastrous in the extreme unless a strong remedy be applied speedily.

Out of consideration for popular opinion, and the well-known wishes of the President relative to freedom of speech and of the press, I have forborne until, in my belief, further forbearance would lead to disastrous results. I am thoroughly convinced of the necessity for prompt and decided measures to put down this revolutionary scheme, and my sense of duty will not permit me to delay it longer. It is barely possible that I may not have to enforce the order against the public press. They may yield without the application of force; but I do not expect it. The tone of some of their articles since the publication of the order indicates a determination to wage the war which they have begun to the bitter end. This determination is based upon the belief that the President will not sustain me in any such measures as those contemplated in the order. A distinct approval of the President of my proposed action, and a knowledge of the fact here, would end the whole matter at once. I desire, if possible, to have such approval before taking action in any individual case. Indeed, I believe such approval would prevent the necessity for the use of force. It is difficult, I am aware, for any one at a distance to believe that such measures can be necessary against men and papers who claim to be "radically loyal." The fact is, they are "loyal" only to their "radical" theories, and are so radical that they cannot possibly be loyal to the Government. I cannot hope in the space of a letter to make the importance of this matter fully understood. If you do not concur with me as to the propriety and necessity for the course of action I have proposed, I would like to have a personal interview with you on the subject. I believe its importance would justify my absence from Saint Louis long enough to visit Washington.

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

 J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Major-General.

[Inclosure No 1 ]

September 17, Saint Louis, Mo., General Orders, No. 96

 [Inclosure No. 2.]

July 24, The Missouri Republican, “Spirit of the German Press.”

[Inclosure No. 3]

July 16, The Missouri Republican, “Spirit of the German Press.”

 [Inclosure No. 4.]

August 28, The Missouri Republican, “Spirit of the German Press” cites Westliche Post (Kansas?) article “Kansas and Missouri”

[Inclosure No. 5.]

September 4, The Missouri Republican, “Spirit of the German Press.”

[Inclosure No 6]

September 8, The Missouri Democrat, “The Border War Question”

[Inclosure No. 7. ]

September 9, The Missouri Republican, “Spirit of the German Press”

 [Inclosure No. 8.]

September 10, The Missouri Republican, “Spirit of the German Press”

[Inclosure No. 9.]

September 10, The Missouri Democrat, “What Does It Mean”

 [Inclosure No. 10.]

September 10, Jefferson City, Mo.,  W. M. Smallwood letter to Missouri Democrat Editors, “Judge Miller’s Decision”

 [Inclosure No. 11. ]

September 11, The Missouri Democrat, ”The Draft in Saint Louis”

[Inclosure No. 12. ]

September 12, The Missouri Democrat, ”What It Means”

[Inclosure No. 13. ]

September 13, The Missouri Republican, ”Spirit Of The German Press”

[Inclosure No. 14.]

September 14; From Jefferson City--Highly Important Decision Of Judge R. W. Wells, Of The United States District Court--The Enrolled Missouri Militia And The Provisional Regiments Amenable To The United States Authorities---How The "Leading Loyal Citizens" Of Jefferson Talk.

[Inclosure No 15.]

September 16, From The Missouri Democrat

[Inclosure No. 16.]

September 17, From The Missouri Democrat, ”Applications For Habeas Corpus Writ”

[Inclosure No. 17.]

September 20, The Missouri Republican, ”Spirit of the German Press”

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