MISSOURI MILITIA, ORGANIZED UNDER AUTHORITY OF STATE GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 3, OF JANUARY 30, 1865. The Enrolled Missouri Militia was disbanded March 12, 1865, under the provisions of section 26 of the State militia act approved February 10, 1865. This section reads as follows: SEC. 26. All organizations of the Enrolled Missouri Militia shall cease to exist on the expiration of thirty days after the approval of this act, and the commissions of all officers of the Enrolled Missouri Militia, including all commissions issued to persons on the staff of the governor, prior to January 1, 1865, shall be deemed to be vacated on that day. [Annual Report Adjutant-General of Missouri, 1865, p. 43.] In anticipation of the passage of this act and the consequent retirement from active service of the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and also because of the approaching muster out of the Missouri State Militia, measures were taken by Major-General Dodge, then commanding the Department of the Missouri, in cooperation with the State authorities, to replace these troops by a body of men who, as stated by the adjutant-general of the State in his annual report of 1865 (p. 52), "would be more effective and available, and at the same time less expensive to the State." On January 7, 1865, General Dodge addressed the governor of the State on the necessity for a new organization of the militia, suggesting the formation of companies in certain counties. Following is a copy of his letter: HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, His Excellency THOMAS C. FLETCHER, Governor of Missouri. GOVERNOR: I think we should, as early as possible, get an organization in all the disloyal counties, especially in those bordering on the Missouri River. If the legislature passes a bill with no exemption clause and classifies the enrollment, say we call out, arm, and equip the first class, and put 100 men on duty in each of the abovementioned counties under experienced, tried, and undoubtedly loyal men; get the start of all guerrillas, etc. By this means the running from one county to another by these bands will be prevented. The Government can, I understand, feed these men. Let the counties pay them. It is no more than right that the disloyal counties should pay for their own protection, and this would do away with all complaint as to pay. The district commander could have these men under his command, and, if necessary, we could place subdistrict commanders over them from some of our old regiments. As soon as you adopt the plan for a militia bill I will put the district commanders to work to organize these companies and hold all loyal men in these counties. Above all things get, if possible, in the counties referred to, old soldiers for commanders-men who have been tried and in regard to whose standing there can be no doubts. It seems to me we ought to have 100 men on duty in each of the counties on the Missouri River within the next sixty days. There are a large number of officers returning from Sherman's army who could be used to good advantage in this work. Let me hear from you. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, G. M. DODGE, Major-General. [Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XLVIII, Part I, p. 449.] The conditions existing in Missouri at this time, and especially in the northern counties, were discussed in a correspondence of which the following is a copy: Major-General DODGE, St. Louis, Mo.: EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, January 15, 1865. It is represented to me that there is so much irregular violence in northern Missouri as to be driving away the people and almost depopulating it. Please gather information, and consider whether an appeal to the people there to go to their homes and let one another alone, recognizing as a full right of protection for each that he lets others alone, and barring only him who refuses to let others alone, may not enable you to withdraw the troops-their presence itself a cause of irritation and constant apprehension-and thus restore peace and quiet and returning prosperity. Please consider this, and telegraph or write me. [Ibid., p. 535.] A. LINCOLN. Governor FLETCHER, Jefferson City: HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, President Lincoln telegraphs me that it is represented to him that there is much irregular violence in northern Missouri. That on account of this it is being almost depopulated, and suggests the propriety of withdrawing the troops and calling upon the citizens to return, and recognizing as a full right to each that he let the other alone. Do you believe any such policy would have the desired effect? I have not heard of many cases that he speaks of. Consider this private and answer by telegraph. [Ibid., p. 535.] Maj. Gen. G. M. DODGE: G. M. DODGE, Major-General. JEFFERSON CITY, January 16, 1865 I have heard of some Union men being killed in north Missouri and of some rebels moving away. No Union man wants the troops withdrawn from here. The Union men will return and be organized under new military law and can then defend themselves. I will consent to no bargains with rebels. All we want is discipline in the troops we have and those to be organized. I do not believe the policy mentioned by you would have any good effect, and think it has been suggested by the same men who have been compromising with the enemy since the war began. I had hoped the President would not listen to their counsels again. [Ibid., p. 547.] THOS. C. FLETCHER, Hon. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, President of the United States, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 15th instant. Since I assumed command here the troubles in north Missouri have increased, from the fact that the troops that were in those counties infested by guerrilla bands were nearly all withdrawn by me to send to General Thomas, but there is no doubt that this country is now more quiet than it has been before for three years. Where these troubles exist the people are to a great extent disloyal, and it is the protection, aid, and sympathy that they give to the enemy and to out laws that causes these troubles. One class (the disloyal) desires all troops withdrawn, while the other (the loyal men) petition to have more sent. The fact is that unless troops are kept in the Missouri River counties no loyal people can live there. I have consulted with Governor Fletcher in relation to this matter, and so far as possible we have endeavored to quiet these troubles. Three thousand men left. these counties and joined Price last fall. Many of them are now sneaking back and going into the bush to operate. The people who are leaving are mostly those whose friends are in the rebel army, or whose sympathies are with the rebels, and those who expect to be disfranchised, and who have but very little, if any, sympathy with our Government. They do not leave on account of depredations committed upon them by the troops, but through fear of action of the State convention. I believe most of the loyal men, and those who have determined to become loyal, are determined to stay. Those of them that do go flee from guerrillas, which no order or proclamation would reach. The bushwhackers can only be put down and kept down by holding the citizens who aid, feed, and harbor them responsible. Loyal local organizations I consider the best troops to keep these outlaws under, and I had settled in my own mind upon the policy to pursue, viz: As soon as the State legislature passes the new militia bill, to raise under it 100 men from each of these disloyal counties, place them under competent and reliable officers, citizens of the State who have seen service. Let the Government arm, equip, and feed them, and the counties pay them. Place one of these companies on duty in each of the disloyal counties where these troubles exist; withdraw therefrom the United States volunteers, and call upon the citizens to support and aid these organizations. To a great extent they will cheerfully do it. Those who will not, and who persist in giving aid to bushwhackers, to be sent out of the department. I have issued stringent orders to all the troops in regard to committing depredations and acts through personal enmity, and good effects are hereby being produced. I hear of but very few depredaitons by troops recently, but bushwhackers are robbing and murdering in many places. During the winter it is to the interest of these outlaws and their friends to keep our troops away. As soon as spring comes they expect to obtain reenforcements from the South, and even from the loyal States, where many have gone to winter, and who, when the leaves come, will all return. What troops I have are kept very active, and they are doing good work in the way of breaking up guerrillas and marauding bands. The troops in north Missouri are nearly all Missouri State Militia, whose term of service is fast expiring. Their discipline has been very lax, and on account of the defective nature of that organization, they have not been efficient. I have taken measures to hold the officers responsible for the discipline and acts of these troops. I do believe that the system of local organization that I intend to inaugurate will prove effective for the special reason that we will have the selection of the officers, and most of them will be old, tried, and experienced soldiers, fully imbued with the right sentiment, and feeling a personal interest in restoring law and order. Allow me to assure you that the course you propose would be protested against by the State authorities, the legislature, the convention, and by nearly every loyal man in north Missouri, while it would receive the sanction of nearly every disloyal, semiloyal, and noncommittal person there. All such could, under that course, live, and would would want to stay in that country, while every loyal man would have to leave those counties where the disloyal sentiment is in the ascendency. I take it that the only sure road to peace in this State is through the aid and support of its undoubtedly loyal population, and with the organization I speak of I am satisfied I can restore and maintain quiet in north Missouri. It is my wish and earnest endeavor to have every person in the State and elsewhere to come up firmly to the support of the Government, no matter what their antecedents are, and I have in my orders and instructions to my troops commanded them to give all encouragement, aid, and protection in their power to any and every person who shows an honest and earnest desire and intention to support the Government, and assist in putting down guerrilla warfare. I herewith inclose my Order, No. 7, which embodies some of the views in your dispatch, and which will receive the cordial indorsement and cheerful support of every person in the State who is not aiding and abetting the bushwhackers, or who are so disloyal that they would not agree to or approve of anything issued by a Federal officer. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Ibid., p. 546.] G. M. DODGE, This order does not relate to the organization of troops and is not, therefore, here reproduced. On January 23, 1865, General Dodge requested of the governor the organization of thirty-one companies for service in certain counties and localities. Following is a copy of his letter of that date: THOMAS C. FLETCHER, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Governor of Missouri. GOVERNOR: I respectfully request that companies of militia be raised by volunteers from such classes as you deem best for service in each of the following counties: Mounted: One company for Warren and Montgomery; one company for Callaway and Audrain; one company for Boone; one company for Ralls, Monroe, and Marion; one company to be raised at Hannibal; one company for Howard; one company for Randolph; one company for Chariton; one company for Carroll and Livingston, to be stationed in Carroll; one company for Ray and Caldwell, to be stationed in Ray; one company for Clay and Clinton, to be stationed in Clay; one company for Platte; one company for Jackson; one company for La Fayette; one company for Saline; one company for Cooper and Moniteau; one company for Osage and Maries; one company for Stoddard; one company for Johnson; one company for Pettis; one company for Morgan; one company for Mississippi; one company for Scott; one company for Perry, one company for New Madrid; one company for Cape Girardeau; one company for Sainte Genevieve. Infantry: One company for bridge on Pacific Railroad; one company for bridge on Southwest Branch [Pacific] Railroad; one company for bridge on Iron Mountain Railroad; one company for bridge on North Missouri Railroad. As soon as raised to be turned over to the subdistrict commanders for the respective counties. I will order them subsisted as soon as they rendezvous. I most earnestly request that none but experienced officers and also old soldiers be placed at the head of these organizations-men who will enforce orders and maintain strict discipline. The Government will issue clothing, forage, arms, and equipments (when the State has not sufficient arms and equipments to supply them, already issued to the Enrolled Missouri Militia) upon proper requisitions. I deem it important that this force be put in the field within the next thirty days. I am, governor, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Ibid., p. 620.] G. M. DODGE, Governor Fletcher promptly responded to this request by the issue of General Orders, No. 3, from State headquarters, dated January 30, 1865, of which the following is a copy: GENERAL ORDERS, No. 3. HEADQUARTERS STATE OF MISSOURI, 1. At the request of Maj. Gen. G. M. Dodge, commanding Department of the Missouri, and for the purpose of repressing lawlessness and to secure safety of life and property to all good citizens, and to strengthen the hands of legal justice, by enabling the officers of the law to execute its processes and judgments, it is ordered that the following companies of militia be raised by volunteering for a term of service not to exceed one year. TO BE MOUNTED, One company for Warren and Montgomery; 1 company for Callaway and Audrain; 1 company for Boone; 1 company for Ralls, Monroe, and Marion, to be raised at Hannibal; 1 company for Howard; 1 company for Randolph; 1 company for Chariton; 1 company for Carroll and Livingston, to be stationed in Carroll; 1 company for Ray and Caldwell, to be stationed in Ray; 1 company for Clay and Clinton, to be stationed in Clay; 1 company for Platte; 1 company for Jackson; 1 company for La Fayette; 1 company for Saline; 1 company for Cooper and Moniteau; 1 company for Osage and Maries; 1 company for Stoddard; 1 company for Johnson; 1 company for Pettis; 1 company for Morgan; 1 company for Mississippi; 1 company for Scott 1 company for Perry; 1 company for New Madrid. INFANTRY. One company for Cape Girardeau; 1 company for Sainte Genevieve; 1 company for bridges on Pacific Railroad; 1 company for bridges on Southwestern Pacific Railroad; 1 company for bridges on North Missouri Railroad. II. These companies will be turned over to the United States subdistrict commanders for their respective counties, as soon as they are fully organized. They will be clothed and subsisted by the General Government, and armed, equipped, and paid by the State, as provided in the new militia bill, but in case the State is unable to supply sufficient arms and equipments, they will then be furnished by the United States on proper requisition. As soon as the troops are in the rendezvous, orders will be issued by the department commander for their subsistence. III. It is desired that the officers to be appointed to command this force should be men who have had experience in the field; and all applications for authority to raise said companies and for commissions in the same will be made through the department commander, forwarded through headquarters of district and subdistrict commanders, and upon his approval authority will be granted and commissions will be issued. IV. The companies will consist of not less than the minimum number of officers, noncommissioned officers, and privates as provided by regulations for like organizations in the United States service; and not more than the maximum thereof, viz: One captain, 1 first lieutenant, 1 second lieutenant, 5 sergeants, 8 corporals, 1 wagoner, 2 musicians, 64 privates minimum, 82 privates maximum. The necessities of the service require that the companies should be placed in the field at an early date-the time thereof for their completion is limited to the 28th proximo. By order of the Commander in Chief: SAMUEL P. SIMPSON, Adjutant-General. [Annual Report Adjutant-General of Missouri, 1865, p. 53.] It will be observed that the foregoing order provided for the organization of two companies less than the number requested by General Dodge, but as the muster out of the Missouri State Militia progressed and additional companies were found necessary, authority for their recruitment was given. Notwithstanding that they were militia of the State of Missouri, the recruitment and organization of these companies were placed in the hands of United States officers. This was done in general orders from headquarters of the Department of the Missouri, dated February 1, 1865, of which the following is a copy: GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, District or subdistrict commanders will detail a line officer to take charge of the recruiting of each of the companies called for by Governor Thomas C. Fletcher, in General Orders, No. 3, from headquarters State of Missouri (Adjutant-General's Office) for the respective counties in their commands. Officers most noted for efficiency and good discipline will be selected for this duty. They will remain in charge until they are relieved by officers commissioned by the governor to command these companies, and great effort will be made by them to fill the companies immediately, and to secure in them the services of as many honorably discharged soldiers from United States Volunteers and Missouri State Militia who have seen actual service, as possible. The commissary department will, upon proper requisitions, issue rations to men recruited for these companies. As soon as sworn into the service by officers designated by district commanders, they will be furnished clothing and such other articles as are allowed by the quartermaster's department. Requisitions for arms and equipments will be made upon the State authorities, who, when they have them in store, or in the hands of the Enrolled Missouri Militia will supply them. When they can not meet these requisitions they will so indorse upon them, and the ordnance officer of the district or department will fill the requi sition from arms and equipments turned over by the Missouri State Militia whose term of service has expired. |