On May 3, 1861, Jackson ordered the Missouri Volunteer Militia to assemble at various encampments throughout Missouri, including St. Louis, for six days of training. They assembled in Lindell's Grove on the city's western outskirts, in an encampment now called Camp Jackson. Governor Jackson's order to assemble the militia was legal according to the Missouri state constitution, if the encampment was intended only for training, and not for offensive action against Federal forces. But, the St. Louis Militia was commanded largely by secessionists, and had recently enlisted a new regiment (2nd Regiment MVM) composed almost completely of secessionists. Also, Confederates had shipped artillery seized from the U.S. Arsenal in Baton Rouge. Arriving by steamboat, the artillery was secretly delivered to Camp Jackson.
