In a few days the excitement subsided and nearly all the refugees returned, but there are some who have never been in St. Louis since their remarkable hegira.  In their determination to obtain their “rights,” they entered the Rebel army and followed its checkered fortunes.  Less than half of these persons are now alive.

For a time after the appearance of General Harney’s proclamation, there were no hostile demonstrations on either side.  Governor Jackson had promised to disband the small force of militia at Jefferson City, but he failed to do so.  The Rebel flag was flying in Jefferson City, from a staff in front of the Governor’s mansion, and over the head-quarters of the Missouri State Guard.  Missouri, through her State officers, was in favor of an armed neutrality, which really meant nothing less than armed secession.

The Secessionists were quietly but earnestly at work to effect their object.  They did not heed their promise to remain inactive.  The Union authorities observed theirs to the letter.  The Camp Jackson prisoners were paroled and restored to liberty.  A portion of them observed the parole, but many did not.  General Frost remained on his farm and took no part in the Rebellion until relieved from his parole, several months later.  It is proper to add, that he was of very little account to the Rebels when he finally entered the field.

While watching the progress of affairs in St. Louis, I determined upon a visit to Jefferson City.  Though the Rebel flag was flying over the State Capitol, and the nucleus of the Missouri State Guard (Rebel) had its camp in the suburbs, the communication by railroad had not been interrupted.  Taking the morning train from St. Louis, on the 27th of May, I found myself, at three o’clock of the afternoon, under the secession banner.  The searching of the train for articles contraband of war was then a new feature.

In the early days only the outside of a package was examined.  If the “marks” indicated nothing suspicious, the goods were allowed to pass.  Under this regulation, a large number of boxes marked “soap” were shipped on a steamboat for Lexington.  So much soap going into Missouri was decidedly suspicious, as the people of the interior do not make extensive use of the article.  An examination disclosed canisters of powder instead of bars of soap.  The discovery was followed by the promulgation of an order requiring a rigid examination of all packages that might be of doubtful character.  This order, with various modifications, was kept in force for a long time.

In starting from St. Louis, I left a company of Union volunteers at the railway station.  At Jefferson City I found the depot filled with the Rebel soldiers, or “neutrals,” as Governor Jackson persisted in calling them.  The particular duty they were performing I was unable to ascertain, but they bore unmistakable signs of being something more than a “neutral” body of men.  Their camp was just in rear of the city.  The Rebel flag, which floated above the camp, was recognized as the emblem of their neutrality.