These measures were revolutionary in the extreme. They involved
the entire subversion of those principles on which the American Union
was founded, and of the compact or Constitution of that Union. The
Government of the United States, in the hands of those who wielded its
authority, was made the bloody instrument to establish these usurpations
on the ruins of the crushed hopes of mankind for permanent freedom under
constitutional government. For the justness and truthfulness of these
allegations I appeal to the impartial and sober judgment of posterity.
The volunteers who were assembled under this proclamation of Governor
Jackson, of June 13th, had few arms except their squirrel-rifles and
shot-guns, and could scarcely be said to have any military equipments.
The brigadier-generals who were appointed were assigned to geographical
divisions, and, with such men as they could collect, reported in
obedience to their orders at Booneville and Lexington. On the 20th of
June, 1861, General Lyon and Colonel F. P. Blair, with an estimated
force of seven thousand well-armed troops, having eight pieces of
artillery, ascended the Missouri River, and debarked about five miles
below Booneville. To oppose them, the Missourians had there about eight
hundred men, poorly armed, without a piece of artillery, and but little
ammunition. With courage which must be commended at the expense of their
discretion, they resolved to engage the enemy, and, after a combat of an
hour and a half or more, retired, having inflicted heavy loss upon the
enemy, and suffering but little themselves.
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