Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Arrest Of Edward Bredell, Sr.

Edward Bredell, an old resident and a well known and wealthy citizen, was last Thursday arrested by the U.S. Police, by order of Department Provost Marshal General Dick, and committed to the Military prison on the charge of having corresponded with officers of the rebel army, communicating intelligence for the benefit of the enemy, &c.  On Saturday he was released on parole to remain at his residence-in Lafayette avenue, opposite Lafayette Park-and await examination on the charge preferred.  Mr. Bredell has a son in the rebel army. 
The arrest of Bredell, and some others not yet made public, appears to have resulted from the interception of a rebel mail.
-The Daily Southern Crisis (Jackson, Mississippi), March 17, 1863


The above article originally appeared in the St. Louis Democrat on March 3, 1863, and is a reminder that St. Louis, during the Civil War, was a city under Federal occupation and martial law.  It's a difficult idea to comprehend but it's true nonetheless.

Following the declaration of martial law in Missouri by General Fremont, Provost-Marshal M'Kinstry has issued an order forbidding any person passing beyond the limits of St. Louis without a special permit from his office; and railroad, steamboat, ferry, and other agents are prohibited from selling tickets to any one not holding a proper pass. 
-Harper's Weekly, September 14, 1861

One of these days, I'm going to have to write up a long post about what life was like in St. Louis during the Civil War but, as of now, I'll just note that, under martial law in St. Louis and Missouri, there were summary executions, drum head courts martial, arbitrary confiscation of property, restrictions on travel and banishments.  This was the world that existed as baseball began to take root in St. Louis.       

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