— Ch. 1 · Legislative Origins And Political Context —
Missouri State Guard.
~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
The Missouri General Assembly passed the Military Bill on the 11th of May 1861. This law arrived just one day after the Camp Jackson Affair in St. Louis. Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson used this act to disband the old Missouri Volunteer Militia. He reformed it as the Missouri State Guard to resist a feared Union invasion. The final version of the act approved on May 14 gave him broad powers. It outlawed other militia organizations except those authorized by district commanders. This move targeted Unionist Missourians trying to form Home Guard companies outside St. Louis. The law specifically banned German United States Reserve Corps regiments mustered in St. Louis. These units exceeded the state requirement under the Federal Militia Act of 1792. New local Home Guards were allowed but limited to men aged 14, 17 and 45+. All spoken commands had to be in English. This language specification aimed to exclude ethnic Germans who leaned toward Unionism.
Organizational Structure And Leadership
The act divided the state into nine Military Districts based on Federal Congressional Districts. Men ages 18 to 45 years became eligible for service unless exempted by occupation or office. Each district formed a division organized along brigade lines. Actual forces consisted of all regiments within each district rather than separate brigades. A brigadier general from the district commanded each division. Commissioned officers elected these generals directly. An act passed on May 15 appointed a major general as field commander. Sterling Price received this commission as the first Major General. He was a popular former governor and one of the most influential men in Missouri. Recruits began assembling quickly in Jefferson City during mid-May. The Price, Harney Truce on May 20 halted movement of Guardsmen to the capitol. Nathaniel Lyon took command of the department after Harney was relieved on May 30. Price and Jackson fled St. Louis following the truce collapse on June 11. Governor Jackson called for 50,000 volunteers the next day. Thousands answered the proclamation and enlisted in their respective districts.Early Campaigns And Tactical Setbacks
The embryonic Missouri State Guard suffered a serious setback at Boonville on June 17. They retreated toward extreme southwestern Missouri after that skirmish. Two days later Lieutenant Colonel Walter S. O'Kane cleared the path with a decisive victory. His infantry and cavalry battalion captured the Benton County Home Guard at Cole Camp. Another victory came on July 5 at the Battle of Carthage. This battle bought time for Price to train raw recruits. Many reported for duty carrying only farm implements or antiquated hunting weapons. Training occurred at Cowskin Prairie, a former livestock auction site in southwest Missouri. Adjutant General Lewis Henry Little imposed order on the organization. He was a native of Maryland and a career Army officer. Price defeated a smaller Union force under Nathaniel Lyon at Wilson's Creek on August 10. The battle killed Lyon and drove back his army. Price then defeated a 600-man Kansas volunteer cavalry led by Senator James Lane at Big Dry Wood Creek on the 1st of September 2. He besieged and captured 3,600 Federal troops in the First Battle of Lexington mid-month. A bold dash by Major Charles Zagonyi routed local MSG troops waiting in ambush on October 25.The Neosho Secession And Confederate Integration
A session of exiled elements convened in Neosho on the 30th of October 1861. They claimed to have passed an Ordinance of Secession while Governor Jackson signed it on October 31. The vote received no statewide plebiscite endorsement. The Confederate Congress officially admitted Missouri as the 12th Confederate State on the 28th of November 1861. Price began enrolling many men into regular Confederate service during winter camp. Two brigades participated in the Battle of Pea Ridge at Elkhorn Tavern. Brigadier General William Y. Slack, former commander of the Fourth Division, died there from wounds. On the 17th of March 1862, Price merged the Missouri State Guard into the Confederate Army of the West. Former troops formed the core of the Army of Missouri later. This force participated in Price's Missouri Expedition in 1864. A small number of units remained independent until the war ended in 1865. These units saw action under generals Mosby M. Parsons and James S. Rains in the Trans-Mississippi Theater.Divisional Geography And Regional Strength
Authorities estimated that at least 34,000 Missourians served in the Guard by 2007. Probably close to 40,000 men served at one point or another. Strength peaked between September 1861 with about 23,000 to 28,000 men. About 5,000 men operated independently in Southeast Missouri under M. Jeff Thompson. His First Division surrounded Price near Lexington while operating separately. The divisions were based on congressional districts and composed specific counties. The First District included St Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Perry, Cape Girardeau, and others. Nathaniel W. Watkins and M. Jeff Thompson commanded this area. The Second District covered Scotland, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Shelby, Marion, Monroe, and surrounding counties. Thomas A. Harris and Martin E. Green led these forces. The Third District contained Putnam, Schuyler, Sullivan, Adair, Linn, Macon, Chariton, Randolph, Howard, and Boone. John B. Clark, Sr. directed operations there. The Fourth District comprised Gentry, Harrison, Mercer, Grundy, De Kalb, Daviess, Livingston, Clinton, Caldwell, Ray, Carroll, and Worth. William Y. Slack commanded this division before his death.Common questions
When was the Missouri State Guard established by law?
The Missouri General Assembly passed the Military Bill on the 11th of May 1861. Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson used this act to disband the old Missouri Volunteer Militia and reform it as the Missouri State Guard.
Who commanded the Missouri State Guard after its formation in 1861?
Sterling Price received a commission as the first Major General for the Missouri State Guard on the 15th of May 1861. He served as field commander while Nathaniel Lyon took command of the opposing department later that month.
What happened to the Missouri State Guard during the Battle of Wilson's Creek?
Price defeated a smaller Union force under Nathaniel Lyon at Wilson's Creek on the 10th of August 1861. The battle killed Lyon and drove back his army, allowing Price to continue operations against Federal troops.
How many men served in the Missouri State Guard according to estimates?
Authorities estimated that at least 34,000 Missourians served in the Guard by 2007. Probably close to 40,000 men served at one point or another with strength peaking between September 1861 with about 23,000 to 28,000 men.
When did the Missouri State Guard merge into the Confederate Army of the West?
On the 17th of March 1862, Price merged the Missouri State Guard into the Confederate Army of the West. Former troops formed the core of the Army of Missouri which participated in Price's Missouri Expedition in 1864.