Two weeks after Ft. Sumter fell, the newly appointed postmaster for St. Joseph, MO, chanced upon former St. Joseph mayor M. Jeff Thompson while traveling on the river. Mr. Thompson seems extraordinarily loose-lipped in this account, but here's the story of the meeting with its tales of Fort Leavenworth given over to Secessionists. It's taken from Series I, Volume I, p. 679, Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, 1880.
Washington, May 2, 1861.
Hon. Secretary of War:
Sir: Mr. J. L. Bittinger, recently appointed postmaster at Saint Joseph, Mo. Arrived here yesterday, and gave me information in regard to secession movements in that State, which I take the liberty of conveying to you.
He states that while descending the Missouri River he met with a Mr. Jeff. Thompson (right), who informed him, not supposing that he was in favor of the Union, that Lieutenant Cooke, now at Fort Leavenworth, had told him (Thompson) confidentially that the dragoons stationed at that post had pledged themselves to co-operate with the secessionists in whatever schemes they might determine upon, and he remarked that he himself—their commander—intended to head them in the project. Lieutenant Cooke further observed that it was his determination, in case Missouri seceded, to do all he could to transfer the Government property in his charge to the State authorities, and in the event that Missouri did not secede, that he would resign his commission and offer his services to the South.
Mr Bittinger says that the disunionists in Saint Joseph are organized, have possessed themselves of Government arms, and are meditating the capture of Fort Leavenworth. There are now in Saint Joseph, he states, three hundred and seventy-four Union men, who form four companies, which will be placed at the disposal of the Federal administration. They have no arms, however, although they have applied for some—to Major Van Vliet, I believe; but they were refused on the ground that the persons applying had no order from the Secretary of War. The Union volunteers of Saint Joseph beg that you will give them such written authority as will enable them to procure the necessary arms and equipments without any further delay.
Having fulfilled what I deem my duty in imparting to you the above information, I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
John R. Atkinson.
I'd recommend reading "The Half Not Told" by Preston Filbert. Great book on local civil war history. St. Joe was a pretty important strategic point, being so far north. It's easy to see how difficult it would be maintaining any solid Southern presence here. Perhaps this is a reason why the Bushwhackers resorted to the tactics they did - in addition to the training they received in the Border War.
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