Volume 4: June 1861

Volume 4 covers June 1861, when Missouri's political crisis turned openly into war. Debate over secession and "armed neutrality," prominent in earlier months, gave way to open conflict as Governor Claiborne F. Jackson and leaders of the Missouri State Guard moved toward military resistance against federal authority. Unionist newspapers accused Jackson and his allies of preparing rebellion while professing loyalty, and reports circulated of militia recruitment, secessionist activity, and harassment of Union supporters across the state. Tensions culminated on June 11 when General Nathaniel Lyon met with Jackson and Sterling Price at the Planter's House in St. Louis in a final attempt to reach a peaceful settlement. The negotiations failed, and the following day Jackson issued his war proclamation, calling out the state militia to resist what he described as federal "invasion."

Federal forces quickly responded. Lyon moved troops from the St. Louis Arsenal to secure key locations throughout Missouri and soon took control of Jefferson City without resistance, while Jackson and his supporters fled westward. Fighting soon followed, including the Battle of Boonville and the violence at Cole Camp, as well as other clashes and incidents that deepened divisions within the state. Articles in this volume also document political disputes between rival newspapers, accusations of treason against secessionist leaders, and the growing calls to remove Jackson and his government from power. By the end of June, Missouri had moved decisively from political crisis into active civil war.