Note 46 — Chapter XXI · THE CIVIL WAR.

This was the opinion naturally held by Southern sympathizers in Missouri. The unbending will of this stern and ardent patriot would overbear and crush without compunction anyone who had even a taint of disloyalty about him. Though La Barge had taken a stand which was quite as honorable, and more self-sacrificing than that of Lyon, still the latter could not forget that the Captain’s environment and training had made him more sympathetic with the Southern cause than a Northerner could possibly be. Lyon’s temperament, moreover, aggravated the severity of his patriotism. He was not popular with his associates in the old army on account of his overbearing disposition.