Missouri State Militia (Union) facts for kids

The Missouri State Militia was a special group of soldiers in Missouri during the American Civil War. It was created in 1861 and started serving in 1862. These soldiers were paid by the United States government. Their main job was to fight against Confederate guerrillas (small groups of fighters who used surprise attacks) and people trying to recruit soldiers for the Confederacy. They also helped stop attacks by larger Confederate armies. At one point, there were over 13,000 soldiers in the militia, but the U.S. government later reduced this number to 10,000.

How the Militia Started

Before the Civil War, Missouri had a state militia called the Missouri Volunteer Militia (MVM). The governor could call them up for emergencies. When the war was about to begin, Missouri's Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson secretly used the MVM to support the South. However, many of their weapons and members in eastern Missouri were captured during the Camp Jackson affair in St. Louis. After this, the state government created a new group called the Missouri State Guard.

Home Guard Units

At the start of the Civil War, many people in Missouri wanted to stay with the Union (the North). They formed volunteer groups called the Home Guard. These groups were supported by the U.S. government. Their goal was to stop Governor Jackson from building up Southern support and from preventing Missourians from joining the Union army. General Nathaniel Lyon was given permission to organize these Home Guard units across Missouri in June 1861.

The Six-Month Militia

By late 1861, most of the Home Guard units were disbanded. They were replaced by a smaller "Six-month militia." This new group was controlled by the state, not the U.S. government. However, it was too expensive for Missouri to keep, and it wasn't big enough to do its job well. So, this force was also disbanded.

Creating the Missouri State Militia

On November 6, 1861, Missouri's temporary governor, Hamilton Rowan Gamble, made a deal with President Abraham Lincoln. They agreed to create a new, full-time state militia. The United States would pay for and equip this new militia. However, the Missouri governor would control it and appoint its officers.

This new group, called the Missouri State Militia (MSM), would work with Federal commanders. But they would usually only serve inside Missouri. They would only leave the state if it was needed to defend Missouri directly. The old Six-month militia was officially disbanded in January 1862.

The MSM was mostly made up of cavalry (soldiers on horseback). Cavalry was important because they could quickly chase and fight against fast-moving guerrillas and raiders. By April 1862, the Missouri State Militia had many cavalry regiments, some artillery units, and an infantry (foot soldier) regiment. However, in February 1862, the U.S. Congress decided to limit the size of the MSM to 10,000 soldiers to save money. Over time, the militia was reorganized into nine cavalry regiments and one infantry regiment.

History of the Missouri State Militia

As the Missouri State Militia got organized in early 1862, guerrilla activity in the state increased. Confederate recruiters also entered Missouri to gather new soldiers. This meant the new militia cavalry had to learn fast!

Even with some challenges, the militia cavalry became very good at fighting guerrillas and raiders. By the fall of 1862, they had driven most of the recruiters out of the state. While guerrilla activity continued to be a problem, the militia helped the Union keep control of Missouri for the rest of the war.

Unique Features of the Militia Cavalry

The Missouri State Militia cavalry had a few unusual things about them:

• They often used light artillery (small cannons) in their battles. This extra firepower was very helpful against guerrillas who didn't have their own cannons.
• Cavalry soldiers had to provide their own horses. They were paid extra for this regularly.
• The militia mostly served in Missouri. They only spent short times in Arkansas and Kansas when needed.

Challenges and Controversies

There were some disagreements and problems involving the Missouri State Militia. Some officers were accused of not doing their jobs well, especially during Sterling Price's big raid in 1864. For example, General Alfred Pleasonton removed General Egbert B. Brown and John McNeil from command for not following orders to attack. Another officer, Colonel James McFerran, was removed because his soldiers were scattered everywhere, and he wasn't stopping it.

On March 13, 1862, the Union commander in Missouri, Henry Halleck, said that guerrilla warfare was "against the laws of war." He ordered that such fighters "will be hung as robbers and murderers." Soon after, Confederate President Jefferson Davis allowed "partisan rangers" to fight behind Union lines.

The Missouri State Militia then issued a controversial order. They called these partisans "robbers and assassins" and said they should "be shot down on the spot." However, the order also said that partisans could surrender, promise to be loyal to the Union, and be released.

Some militia commanders were later accused of harsh actions. They were said to have executed suspected guerrillas or Southerners who broke their promises without proper trials. Sometimes, prisoners were executed to get revenge for Union soldiers or citizens who had been killed. The Palmyra Massacre is a well-known example of this.

Praise for the Militia

Despite these controversies, Governor Hamilton R. Gamble said the Missouri State Militia was "very efficient." General John M. Schofield also praised them. He said they were as good as any volunteer troops he had seen, especially in their training and discipline. Schofield later became the top general of the United States Army after the war.

Militia cavalry units fought in most of the important battles in Missouri from 1862 to 1864. They could re-enlist (sign up again) and were even allowed to receive Federal pensions (money paid regularly after retirement), which was unusual for militia groups. The Missouri State Militia fought in the Battle of Westport, one of the biggest battles west of the Mississippi River. They also fought in the Battle of Mine Creek, the largest cavalry battle west of the Mississippi, involving about 10,000 soldiers.

In 1864, many Missouri State Militia soldiers joined regular U.S. cavalry regiments because they were offered bonuses. This caused the number of soldiers in the MSM to drop significantly. On June 23, 1865, all remaining Missouri State Militia troops were ordered to leave service.

Specific Units of the Missouri State Militia

Different regiments (large groups of soldiers) of the Missouri State Militia were disbanded at different times. Some regiments were also combined or moved to other units. For example, the old 5th Regiment was disbanded and replaced by a new 5th Regiment.

1st Regiment Infantry, MSM

This unit was disbanded in April and May 1865. Many soldiers were honorably discharged, meaning they finished their service well. Some died from disease or were wounded.

1st Regiment Cavalry, MSM

This cavalry unit was formed between February and April 1862. It served in different districts of Missouri. It was disbanded in March and April 1865. Like other units, soldiers were discharged, some died from wounds or disease, and some deserted.

2nd (new) Regiment Cavalry, MSM

This regiment was formed in February 1862 and served in various parts of Missouri. It was disbanded in March and April 1865.

3rd (new) Regiment Cavalry, MSM

This unit was formed in February 1863 from the 10th MSM Cavalry. It served in different districts and was disbanded in January and March 1865.

4th Regiment Cavalry, MSM

Formed between January and May 1862, this regiment served in different districts of Missouri. It was disbanded in March and April 1865.

5th (old) Regiment Cavalry, MSM

This regiment was formed in March-April 1862 and was disbanded in June 1863.

5th Regiment Missouri State Militia Cavalry (2nd Organization)

This new 5th Regiment was formed in February 1863 from the 13th MSM Cavalry and parts of the 12th MSM Cavalry. It served in the District of Rolla and was disbanded in March and April 1865. This unit participated in many skirmishes and battles, including the Battle of Westport and Mine Creek.

6th Regiment Cavalry, MSM

Formed between February and April 1862, this unit served in different districts of Missouri. It was disbanded in February and March 1865.

7th Regiment Cavalry, MSM

This regiment was formed in March-April 1862 and served in various parts of Missouri. It was disbanded in March and April 1865.

8th Regiment Cavalry, MSM

Formed between December 1861 and May 1862, this unit served in different districts. It was disbanded in April and May 1865.

9th Regiment Cavalry, MSM

This regiment was formed between February 1862 and September 1863. It served in the District of Rolla and Northern Missouri. It was disbanded in February and April 1865.

10th Regiment Cavalry, MSM

Formed in May 1862, this unit later became the 3rd Regiment Cavalry, MSM, in February 1863.

11th Regiment Cavalry, MSM

Formed between January and April 1862, this unit was combined with the 2nd Regiment in September 1862 to form the new 2nd Regiment.

12th Regiment Cavalry, MSM

Formed between December 1861 and May 1862, parts of this unit were transferred to the 3rd and 5th MSM Cavalry regiments in February 1863.

13th Regiment Cavalry, MSM

Formed in May 1862, this unit's name was changed to the new 5th MSM Cavalry in February 1863.

14th Regiment Cavalry, MSM

Formed between March and May 1862, parts of this unit were transferred to the 4th and 8th Regiments in February 1863.

Commanding Generals

The following generals were in charge of the Missouri State Militia during its time:

• Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck (starting November 19, 1861)
• Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis (starting September 27, 1862)
• Maj. Gen. J. M. Schofield (starting May 29, 1863)
• Maj. Gen. W. S. Rosecrans (starting February 1, 1864)
• Maj. Gen. Grenville M. Dodge (starting December 13, 1864, resigned June 1865)

Weapons of the Missouri State Militia

The Missouri State Militia soldiers were from Missouri, but the U.S. government gave them their weapons. Like many Western military units, they often received newer, better weapons later than armies in the East. This meant they used a wide variety of weapons, sometimes even within the same regiment!

For example, in late 1863, some U.S. cavalry units had modern breech-loading carbines (rifles that load from the back). But at the same time, the 1st Missouri State Militia was still using older muzzle-loading rifles (rifles that load from the front).

The cavalry units often had foreign weapons, like the French LeFaucheux revolver. Many regiments also used Austrian weapons. Some units were equipped with Savage & North Navy revolvers.

In September 1864, the 1st Missouri State Militia unit had "sixteen different patterns of breech loaders, nine different types of muzzle loaders, and a few double barreled shotguns." Some soldiers even had "nothing but revolvers." This shows how varied their equipment was.

The 3rd Missouri State Militia unit in July 1863 had Colt Navy and Army revolvers. For longer guns, they carried converted muskets, rifle-muskets, and even Colt Revolving Rifles.

The 5th Missouri State Militia unit in December 1863 had Austrian rifles, various revolvers (like Lefaucheaux, Pettengill, Savage, and Starr), sabers (swords), and pistol carbines. By the end of the war, some units also had Wesson carbines.

Types of Weapons Used

Here are some of the types of weapons the Missouri State Militia used:

Carbines

• Austrian carbines (muzzle-loading)
• Burnside carbines
• Frank Wesson Military Carbines
• Gallagher carbines
• Halls carbines
• Musketoons (short muskets)
• Sharp carbines
• Smith carbines
• Starr carbines

Muskets

• Austrian muskets
• Dresden muskets
• Enfield muskets (rifled and smooth bore)
• French muskets
• Springfield Muskets
• United States muskets
• Prussian muskets
• Tower muskets

Rifles

• Austrian rifles
• Breech-loading rifles
• Colt revolving rifles
• Enfield rifles
• French Light rifles
• German rifles
• Sharp's rifles
• U.S. Rifles

Revolvers and Pistols

• Allen army revolvers
• Beal's Remington revolvers
• Colt army revolvers
• Colt navy revolvers
• Lefaucheaux army revolvers
• Manhattan revolvers
• Pettengill revolvers
• Remington army revolvers
• Remington navy revolvers
• Savage revolvers
• Starr revolvers
• Holster pistols

Shotguns

• Double barreled shotguns
• Single barreled shotguns

Sabers

• Swords used by cavalry.

Images

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  Co. K, 5th Regiment Missouri State Militia Cavalry (Union)