In seven or eight days from my assuming command at Jefferson City, I had all the troops, except a small garrison, at an advanced position and expected to join them myself the next day.
But my campaigns had not yet begun, for while seated at my office door, with nothing further to do until it was time to start for the front, I saw an officer of rank approaching, who proved to be Colonel Jefferson C.Davis.

I had never met him before, but he introduced himself by handing me an order for him to proceed to Jefferson City and relieve me of the command.

The orders directed that I should report at department headquarters at St.Louis without delay, to receive important special instructions.

It was about an hour before the only regular train of the day would start.

I therefore turned over to Colonel Davis my orders, and hurriedly stated to him the progress that had been made to carry out the department instructions already described.