The sudden shower of lawlessness fell on the just and the unjust; and, forced at last to deal out equal protection, the Governor (June 4) issued his proclamation directing military organizations to disperse, "without regard to party names, or distinctions,"[1] and empowering Colonel Sumner to enforce the order.
[Sidenote] Sumner to Cooper, June 23, 1856.Ibid., p.

50.
[Sidenote] Sumner to Cooper, August 11, 1856.Ibid., p.

59.
That careful and discreet officer, who had from the first counseled this policy, at once proceeded to execute the command with his characteristic energy.

He disarmed and dispersed the free-State guerrillas,--John Brown's among the earliest,--liberated prisoners, drove the Missourians, including delegate Whitfield and General Coffee of the skeleton militia, back across their State line, and stationed five companies along the border to prevent their return.

He was so fortunate as to accomplish all this without bloodshed.