But we were nominated at the same time for the United States service, and both our commissions bore date May 17th, 1861.

By virtue of my former army rank I was, by law, the senior.

General Prentiss failed to get orders to his troops to remain at Jackson, and the next morning early they were reported as approaching Cape Girardeau.

I then ordered the General very peremptorily to countermarch his command and take it back to Jackson.
He obeyed the order, but bade his command adieu when he got them to Jackson, and went to St.Louis and reported himself.

This broke up the expedition.