It was ascertained that, a few days before the publication of Price’s proclamation, Governor Jackson was in consultation with an agent of the Rebel Government, who promised twenty-five thousand men, and arms and ammunition for fifty thousand more, if the State were fairly and unequivocally out of the Union.  He had also conferred with an agent from the Indian Nation, with a view to putting several thousand Indians into the field on the side of the Rebels.  General Lyon wanted an “overt act” on the part of the Rebels, before commencing actual hostilities.  Price’s proclamation was the thing desired.

The troops in and around St. Louis were drilled as thoroughly as possible.  Every day added to their effectiveness.  Recruiting was pushed, trade with the interior was suspended, and boats passing down the river were made subject to stoppage and search at the arsenal.  Every thing was assuming a warlike appearance.  The Government was very tardy in supplying General Lyon’s wants.  In many cases it did not authorize him to do what was needed.  Much of the money for outfitting the troops for the field was voluntarily contributed in the Eastern cities, or by patriotic men in St. Louis.  In several things, General Lyon acted upon his own responsibility, under the advice and co-operation of Colonel Blair.

On the 9th of June, Governor Jackson and General Price asked General Lyon to give them a safeguard to visit St. Louis.  They wished to confer with General Lyon and Colonel Blair, upon the best means of bringing peace to the State and making an end of hostilities.  The safeguard was granted, and, on the 11th of June, Jackson and Price reached St. Louis, and signified their readiness for the proposed conference.  The meeting took place at the Planters’ House, Governor Jackson declining to trust himself inside the walls of the arsenal, where General Lyon had invited him to be his guest.  The interview began with many professions of goodwill on the part of Governor Jackson, and the assurance of his earnest desire for peace.  He promised to disband the State troops, if General Lyon would first remove all United States troops from the limits of Missouri, and agree not to bring them back under any consideration.  Of course, this proposition could not be entertained.  A conversation then took place between General Lyon and General Price, but all to no purpose.  Price and Jackson would do nothing, unless the United States troops were first sent out of Missouri.  Lyon and Blair would not consent to any thing of the kind, and so the conference ended.

Jackson and Price left St. Louis on a special train for Jefferson City, on the afternoon of the 11th.  On the way up the road, they set fire to the bridges over the Gasconade and Osage Rivers, the former thirty-five miles from Jefferson City, and ninety from St. Louis, and the latter within nine miles of Jefferson City.  If the conduct of these men had been neutral up to that time, this act made an end of their neutrality.