governor jackson had previously proposed a "military bill" which would put the state on a war footing, create a new state military force, and grant the governor broad executive powers. the bill had stalled at first, but on may 11, the day after the camp jackson affair, it was passed by the missouri general assembly, creating the missouri state guard with major general sterling price as its commander. unionists described the bill as a "secession act in all but name". critics also observed that since it stated that all adult men were to be considered reserves of the state guard, and granted the governor wide powers as commander of the guard, it had the effect of making governor jackson dictator of the state.