Camp-Fire and Cotton-Field | Page 9

promulgation of an order requiring a rigid examination of all packages
that might be of doubtful character. This order, with various
modifications, was kept in force for a long time.
In starting from St. Louis, I left a company of Union volunteers at the
railway station. At Jefferson City I found the depot filled with the
Rebel soldiers, or "neutrals," as Governor Jackson persisted in calling
them. The particular duty they were performing I was unable to
ascertain, but they bore unmistakable signs of being something more
than a "neutral" body of men. Their camp was just in rear of the city.
The Rebel flag, which floated above the camp, was recognized as the
emblem of their neutrality.
The proprietor of the hotel where I stopped held the reputation of an
earnest friend of the Union, ready to Suffer any thing rather than sink
his principles. He introduced me to several citizens, most of them, like
himself, thoroughly loyal. We discussed freely the condition of affairs
in Missouri.
It was evident the State authorities intended war, as soon as the
necessary preparations could be made. They were not quite ready to
strike their first blow, but when they should be prepared, they would
not hesitate a moment. Governor Jackson was exerting himself to the
utmost to accumulate arms and military stores at various points in the
State, where they would be of most value. In defiance of the truce
between Generals Price and Harney, companies were being formed
throughout the State, and were drilling for service in the field. Time
was of great importance to the Rebels, and this they had secured by
means of the truce.
During my stay at Jefferson City, I met the three, men most prominent
in bringing war upon Missouri. These were Governor Jackson, General
Sterling Price, and Jeff. Thompson. Governor Jackson was elected in
the previous December, before it was thought any serious trouble
would grow out of Mr. Lincoln's election. He was not looked upon as a
man of great ability, but no one doubted his desire to promote the best
interests of the State. Those who knew him said his strength lay more

in a public than in a private direction. He had few, if any, personal
friends, and was considered dangerous when his passions were roused.
Some said he was cold and treacherous, giving all around him a feeling
of aversion. Even among the Secessionists, and those who should have
been his ardent supporters, he was never mentioned with enthusiasm.
Within two weeks from the day I saw him, Governor Jackson, by his
own act, was a fugitive from the State capital. He never returned. After
wandering in Arkansas and Louisiana, during the early part of the war,
he died at Little Rock, in 1863, in a condition of extreme poverty.
Of General Price, I heard many praises, even from those who opposed
his course. He was said to be a man of warm friendship, of fair abilities,
and quite popular among the masses of the inhabitants. He possessed
much personal pride, and his ambition for public honor was very great.
At the outset he deprecated secession, and prophesied a devastating war
as the result. He was inclined to be loyal, but his ambition was greater
than his patriotism. The offer of a high position in the Rebel service
touched his weakest point, and carried him with the insurgents.
In the Rebel service he never obtained much distinction. His principal
successes were in saving his army after defeat. He displayed a capacity
for annoying the Union armies without doing great damage. Though his
oft-repeated promise of victory was never fulfilled, it served to keep
many Missourians in the Rebel ranks. He was constantly expected to
capture St. Louis. Some of the Rebel residents fully believed he would
do so, and kept their wine-cellars ready for the event. Until the official
announcement of the surrender of all forces west of the Mississippi,
they did not abandon hope. General Price had given his promise, and,
as they argued, was sure to keep it.
Of Jeff. Thompson little can be said. Previous to that time he had been
known as the mayor of St. Joseph, and a politician of some little
importance in Northwest Missouri. He was famous for much
gasconading, and a fondness for whisky and other material things. I
could never learn that he commanded much respect. During the war the
Rebels never trusted him with any command of importance. He made a
very fair guerrilla, and, in 1861, gave our forces at Cairo and Bird's

Point considerable annoyance. History is not likely to give him a very
prominent place in the roll of distinguished military heroes.
At this time Cairo was the most southerly point on the Mississippi in
possession of the National