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ping the Missouri State Guard, created a military fund, and conferred dic-tatorial power upon the Governor.
Hardly less important than these things — for it was what gave effect tothem all—was the fact that the capture of the camp caused ex-GovernorSterling Price, President of the State Convention, and up to that time aUnion man, to tender his services to the Governor. The General Assemblyforthwith authorized the Governor to appoint a major-general to commandall the forces which the State might put into the field, and Price wasappointed to that position. &
In the Convention Price had been opposed under all circumstances to thesecession of Missouri , but just as earnestly opposed to the invasion and con-quest of the South by the Federal Government. To that position he stilladhered even when Mr. Lincoln, after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, hadcalled for troops with which to repossess the Federal forts and enforce thelaws of the Union within the seceded States. But considering Lyon’s attackupon the State militia and his killing peaceable citizens an “unparalleledinsult and wrong to the State,” he believed it was the duty of Missouri toresent such wrongs.
The State now sprang to arms. Volunteers began to crowd the streets ofJefferson City , and everything indicated the opening of hostilities. Blair andLyon would have met these demonstrations with force, would have drivenJackson and Price from the capital, would have dispersed the militia whereverit dared to show itself, would have occupied the State with Federal garrisons,and would have held her in unresisting obedience to the Union; but, unfor-tunately for the execution of their plans, General William S. Harney, whocommanded the Military Department of the West, of which Missouri waspart, had returned to St. Louis the day after the capture of Camp Jackson,and had resumed command there. Instead of using force Harney used con-ciliation. Instead of making war he made a truce with Price .
Blair now caused Harney to be relieved of the command of the Federaltroops in Missouri , and on the 31st of May he was superseded by Lyon. Assoon as this was made known to the Governor and General Price , theyordered the militia to be gotten in readiness for the field, for they knew that
3; Born in Prince Edward County, Virginia , in1809, Price was now fifty-one years of age. He hadbeen carefully educated in the schools of his nativeState and at Hampden-Sidney College, and hadafterward attended the Law School of one of themost eminent jurists of Virginia , the venerableChancellor Creed Taylor. He removed with hisfather’s family to Chariton County, Missouri , in1831, and had resided there ever since. Electedto the Legislature in 1840, he was at once chosenSpeaker of the House, an honor rarely conferredupon so young a man, and particularly upon onewho had never before been a member of a delibera-tive assembly. But he was preeminently fitted forthe position. Well born and well bred, courteousand dignified, well educated, and richly endowedwith that highest of all mental faculties, commonsense; tall, straight, handsome, and of a command-
ing presence,—he was also a parliamentarian byinstinct, understood intuitively the rules thatgovern deliberative bodies, and knew how toenforce them with promptness and vigor. Heoccupied this position till 1844, and was thenelected to Congress . He took his seat in December,1845 ; but when the war with Mexico broke out,a few months later, he left Congress , returned toMissouri, raised a regiment and led it to NewMexico , where he was placed in command. Forhis good conduct and gallantry in several battlesthat he fought and won there, and in recognition ofthe military and civic ability which he displayedin completing the conquest of that part of theMexican territory, he was appointed brigadier-general by President Polk. In 1852 he waselected Governor of Missouri , and he held thatoffice till the beginning of 1857.—T. L. S.