Flag of the Missouri State Guard (1861)

     Although Missouri had no officially recognized flag until 1913, the Missouri State Guard were known to have carried this banner. It boasts the Great Seal of the State, which was designed in 1822.

Ordinance of Secession of Missouri
(Adopted by the pro-Southern elected Legislature of the state, called into session at Neosho.
The Senate passed it on 28 October 1861, the House two days later.
It was formally signed into action by Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson (04 April 1806-06 December 1862) on 31 October 1861.
Some claim this act was "performed by a 'rump' legislature".
However, at least in the case of the Senate, a legitimate journal
proving quorum is in the possession of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Park.)

AN ACT
declaring the political ties heretofore existing between the State of Missouri and the United States of America dissolved.

WHEREAS, the Government of the United States, in the possession and under the control of a sectional party, has wantonly violated the compact originally made between said government and the State of Missouri, by invading with hostile armies the soil of the State, attacking and making prisoners the militia whilst legally assembled under the State laws, forcibly occupying the State capital, and attempting, through the instrumentality of domestic traitors, to usurp the State government, seizing and destroying private property, and murdering with fiendish malignity peaceable citizens, men, women, and children, together with other acts of atrocity, indicating a deep settled hostility toward the people of Missouri and their institutions; and,

WHEREAS, the present administration of the Government of the United States has utterly ignored the Constitution, subverted the government as constructed and intended by its makers, and established a despotic and arbitrary power instead thereof; Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the general assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

That all political ties of every character now existing between the Government of the United States of America and the people and government of the State of Missouri, are hereby dissolved, and the State of Missouri, resuming the sovereignty granted by compact to the said United States upon admission of said State into the Federal Union, does again take its place as a free and independent republic amongst the nations of the earth.

This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

Passed by the Senate, 28 October 1861.
Passed by the House, 30 October 1861.
Signed into effect by Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson, 31 October 1861.