That they were all secessionists, however, was not true, as all of them did not sympathize with the South.
But the Free State men, myself among them, took it for granted that as Missouri was a slave state the inhabitants must all be secessionists, and therefore our enemies.

A man by the name of Chandler proposed that we organize an independent company for the purpose of invading Missouri and making war on its people on our own responsibility.

He at once went about it in a very quiet way, and succeeded in inducing twenty-five men to join him in the hazardous enterprise.

Having a longing and revengeful desire to retaliate upon the Missourians for the brutal manner in which they had treated and robbed my family, I became a member of Chandler's company.
His plan was that we should leave our homes in parties of not more than two or three together, and meet at a certain point near Westport, Missouri, on a fixed day.

His instructions were carried out to the letter, and we met at the rendezvous at the appointed time.