"This highly original work explores the impact of a previously unknown financial conspiracy at the beginning of the American Civil War. In early 1861, pro-Confederate militia units formed throughout Missouri to defend the state's expected secession. To arm the volunteers, a group of senior state politicians and bankers secretly plotted to divert money from Missouri's banks and the state treasury. The scheme backfired and set off a chain of events that permanently altered the state's political economy. This episode contributes new data to several larger questions of Civil War history, including the causes of wartime guerrilla violence, postwar leadership persistence in the New South, changes to sectional boundaries, and how the hostile armies mobilized for war" -- From the publisher.

Financial conspiracy -- New banks -- New bankers -- Insider lending -- The Unionists regain control -- Guerrillas -- The transformation of regional identity -- War and the administrative state.