jackson returned to the state capital at jefferson city. lyon delivered federal troops by steamboat to jefferson city on june 12, and jackson fled west to join newly assembled state guard troops near boonville. lyon's men occupied the capital without resistance, and pursued jackson with approximately 1,400 volunteers and u.s. army regulars. against the advice of his senior officers, jackson exercised his authority as commander-in-chief and ordered the state guard to make a stand at boonville. in the resulting battle of boonville on june 17, lyon's troops routed the state guard. jackson, the state guard, and a few secessionist state legislators escaped to southwest missouri, near the arkansas border, leaving most of the state under federal control.