It having become impracticable in the judgment of the President
to enforce by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings the
laws of the United States, you will direct Colonel Crofton to
move his entire command at once to the city of Chicago (leaving
the necessary guard at Fort Sheridan), there to execute the
orders and processes of the United States court, to prevent
the obstruction of the United States mails, and generally
to enforce the faithful execution of the laws of the United
States. He will confer with the United States marshal, the
United States district attorney, and Edwin Walker, special
counsel. Acknowledge receipt and report action promptly. By
order of the President.
J. M. SCHOFIELD, _Major-General_.
Immediately after this order was issued, the following despatch was
sent to the district attorney by the Attorney-General:
Colonel Crofton’s command ordered to Chicago by the President.
As to disposition and movement of troops, yourself, Walker, and
the marshal should confer with Colonel Crofton and with Colonel
Martin, adjutant-general at Chicago. While action should
be prompt and decisive, it should of course be kept within
the limits provided by the Constitution and laws. Rely upon
yourself and Walker to see that this is done.
Colonel Martin, adjutant-general at Chicago, reported, the same night
at half-past nine o’clock, that the order for the movement of troops
was, immediately on its receipt by him, transmitted to Fort Sheridan,
and that Colonel Crofton’s command started for Chicago at nine o’clock.
During the forenoon of the next day, July 4, Colonel Martin advised the
War Department that Colonel Crofton reported his command in the city of
Chicago at 10:15 that morning. After referring to the manner in which
the troops had been distributed, this officer added: “People seem to
feel easier since arrival of troops.”
General Miles, commanding the department, arrived in Chicago the same
morning, and at once assumed direction of military movements. In
the afternoon of that day he sent a report to the War Department at
Washington, giving an account of the disposition of troops, recounting
an unfavorable condition of affairs, and recommending an increase of
the garrison at Fort Sheridan sufficient to meet any emergency.
In response to this despatch General Miles was immediately authorized
to order six companies of infantry from Fort Leavenworth, in Kansas,
and two companies from Fort Brady, in Michigan, to Fort Sheridan.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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