CHAPTER III.
THE BEGINNING OF HOSTILITIES.
General Harney Relieved .-- Price's Proclamation .-- End of the Truce .-- Conference between the Union and Rebel Leaders .-- The First Act of Hostility .-- Destruction of Railway Bridges .-- Promptness of General Lyon .-- Capture of the State Capital .-- Moving on the Enemy's Works .-- The Night before Battle .-- A Correspondent's Sensation.
On the first of June an order was received from Washington, relieving General Harney from command in Missouri.

Captain Lyon had been promoted to the rank of a brigadier-general of volunteers, and was assigned to duty in General Harney's stead.

On the 5th of June, General Price issued a proclamation, calling for the State Guard to be in readiness to defend Missouri against all enemies.

The appearance of this proclamation was not altogether unexpected.

It was far more satisfactory to the friends of the Union than to the Secessionists, as it showed the hostile position of Governor Jackson and his abettors, and gave an opportunity for proceeding actively against them.