Rebel Legislature

Several months earlier, Governor Jackson had fled from Jefferson City as General Lyon’s troops moved upstream on the Missouri River. Now it was fall. A federally supported interim government had taken over in Jefferson City with Hamilton Gamble as governor, but those who had been part of the Jackson government were still playing their roles. What was left of the legislature was about to meet in Neosho on the special call of the man they still regarded as their governor. About a week after the battle of Lexington, Governor Jackson ordered the legislature into special session. He took the action although he was no longer governor – the state convention of 99 having declared his seat vacant. Furthermore, the legislature he called couldn’t act because it was no longer the lawmaking body of the state.

AOWM – October 21