Inasmuch as the Governor, with much contumely, had refused to supply the four regiments from Missouri which the President had called for, Schofield, with his unfailing respect for the law, saw no way to fulfill his duty, until Gen. Scott, who was dimly perceiving the gigantic nature of the emergency, reluctantly gave authority to muster in and arm the Home Guards, adding the indorsement, pathetically eloquent as to his aged slowness of recognition that old things were passing away and new being born in volcanic travail—"This is irregular, but, being times of revolution, is approved."
Schofield showed his heart in the matter by becoming a Major of the first regiment organized.
The whole atmosphere at once changed with Lyon's permanent assignment to command.
The Union people of Missouri, those who really believed that the Government was worth fighting for, no longer had to retire, as they had from Harney's presence, with cold comfort, and advice to stop thinking about fighting and attend to their regular business, but were welcomed by Lyon, had their earnestness stimulated by his own, and were given direct advice as to how they could be of the most service. They were encouraged to put themselves in readiness, strike blow for blow, and if possible to give two blows for one. The work of preparation was systematized, and everything made to move toward the one great event—the Government's overwhelming assertion of its power.
Home Guards were organized in every County where Union men wanted to do so, and began presenting a stubborn front to their opponents, who were being brought together under the Military Bill.
Gov. Jackson and Gen. Price did not lose all heart at the change in commanders. They seemed to have hopes that they might in some way mold Lyon to their wishes as they had Harney, and sought an interview with him. Gen. Lyon was not averse to an interview, and sent to Jackson and Price the following passport:
Headquarters, Department of the West,
St. Louis, June 8, 1861.
It having been suggested that Gov. Claiborne F. Jackson and
ex-Gov. Sterling Price are desirous of an interview with
Gen. Lyon, commanding this Department, for the purpose of
effecting, if possible, a pacific solution of the domestic
troubles of Missouri, it is hereby stipulated on the part of
Brig.-Gen. N. Lyon, U. S. A., commanding this Military
Department, that, should Gov. Jackson or ez-Gov. Price, or
either of them, at any time prior to or on the 12th day of
June, 1861, visit St. Louis for the purpose of such
interview, they and each of them shall be free from
molestation or arrest on account of any charges pending
against them, or either of them, on the part of the United
States, during their journey to St. Louis and their return
from St Louis to Jefferson City.
Given under the hand of the General commanding, the day and
year above written.
N. LYON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Accordingly on June 12, 1861, Price and Jackson arrived at St. Louis by special train from Jefferson City, put up at the Planters' House, and informed Gen. Lyon of their arrival. The old State pride cropped out in a little dispute as to which should call upon the other. Jackson as Governor of the "sovereign and independent" State of Missouri and Price as Major-General commanding the forces, felt that it was due them that Lyon, a Brigadier-General in the United States service, should visit them rather than they him at the Arsenal. Lyon's soul going direct to the heart of the matter, was above these technicalities, waved them aside impatiently, and said that he would go to the Planters' House and call on them.