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.
The proprietor of the hotel where I stopped held the reputation of an earnest friend of the Union, ready to Suffer any thing rather than sink his principles.

He introduced me to several citizens, most of them, like himself, thoroughly loyal.

We discussed freely the condition of affairs in Missouri.
It was evident the State authorities intended war, as soon as the necessary preparations could be made.