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Missouri's Union Provost Marshal Papers: 1861-1866

The Provost Marshal Papers for the state of Missouri are part of Record Group 109, War Department Collection of Confederate Records in the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Although they are records of the Union Army, they were associated with Confederate records in the War Department because they relate, in part, to Confederate citizens and sympathizers. The National Archives refers to this collection as Union Provost Marshals’ File of Papers Relating to Individual Citizens. This national collection is three hundred rolls of microfilm documents, 1861-1866. The online database created by the Missouri State Archives is an index of the Missouri portion of the collection. There are similar documents that refer to more than one citizen, Union Provost Marshals’ File of Papers Relating to Two or More Civilians – this latter collection, however, is not represented in the Missouri State Archives index.

The microfilm collection contains thousands of pages of documents detailing the way the provost marshal affected the lives of Missouri citizens who came into contact with the Union Army. The office of provost marshal generated much paperwork which offers a unique look at a state divided in loyalty and beliefs, and the war society that resulted. Far from being solely a resource for military research, the provost marshal papers provide information about the role of women during the war, its effect on Missouri’s slavery institution, and the difficulties experienced by war refugees.

The documents on film include correspondence, provost marshal court papers, orders, passes, paroles, oaths of allegiance to the United States, transportation permits, and claims for compensation for property used or destroyed by military forces. Charges could be initiated by anyone, civilian or military. Statements by accusers or witnesses were taken down as evidence; citizens could be arrested, however, simply on suspicion.
NAME GIVEN NAME CITY SUBJECT DATE REEL #
ARMISTEAD John B. Mexico Loyalty Oath 10-3-1862 F 1218
BAKER Thomas J. Mexico Statement confessing guilt of stealing $4 from Joseph Herndon & of Confederate sympathies; lives in Shelby County 08-22-1863 F 1221
BARNETT Thomas Mexico Oath of Allegiance 10-03-1862 F 1224
BARNETT W. B. Mexico Oath of Allegiance in triplicate 09-27-1862 F 1224
BAYHAM G Mexico Prison record 06-21-1865 F 1226
BAYHAM Grief Mexico Prisoner received 06-??-1865 F 1226
BAYHAM Grief Mexico Prisoner released 06-??-1865 F 1226
BEATY Lycurgno   Oath of Allegiance 10-02-1862 F 1227
BOSWELL William   Oath of Allegiance and bond 06-23-1862 F 1233
BOTTS John F.   Bond, voluntary surrender, oath 06-20-1862 F 1233
BOTTS John F.   Oath of Allegiance 06-20-1862 F 1233
BOTTS John F.   Sworn statement denying rebel activity 06-16-186- F 1233
BOTTS Thos. A.   R. Sinclair states that Mr. Botts is a southern sympathizer and honorable citizen 12-15-1862 F 1233
BRANSTETTER M.   Oath of Allegiance 10-03-1862 F 1139
BRANT Oliver   Oath of Allegiance 10-01-1862 F 1139
BRASHEAR John   $2000 bond for aiding enemies 06-21-1862 F 1282
BRASHEAR John   Oath of Allegiance 06-21-1862 F 1282
BROOKS Elkana Mexico $500 bond for aiding enemies 05-25-1863 F 1284
BROWN Henry T.   Oath of Allegiance 10-08-1862 F 1285
BROWN J. G.   Oath of Allegiance 10-03-1862 F 1285
BROWN James A.   Oath of Allegiance 04-09-1862 F 1285
BROWN Jesse A.   Oath of Allegiance 10-09-1862 F 1285
BROWN John Lee   Statement to be forwarded with him 02-31-1863 F 1285
BUCKHANNON R. P.   Oath of Loyalty 09-30-1862 F 1287
CALDWELL H. C. Mexico Letter apprising he has seized press of the "Paris Mercury" and arrested editor J.M. Bean, asking what to do with him 05-11-1862 F 1227
CARTER J. T.   Oath of Allegiance 11-29-1862 F 1235
CARTER Robert   Oath of Loyalty 11-12-1862 F 1235
CARTER W. P.   Oath of Loyalty 11-13-1862 F 1235
CARTER William P.   Permission to emigrate to California   F 1235
CARTER William P.   Sworn statement   F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 01-08-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 01-15-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 01-22-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 01-29-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 02-04-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 02-05-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 02-14-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 02-19-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 02-26-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 03-11-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 03-18-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 10-02-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 10-09-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 10-23-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 10-30-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 11-06-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 11-13-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 11-20-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 11-27-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 12-04-1864 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 12-11-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 12-18-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob   Reporting in for parole 12-25-1869 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob Mexico Reporting in for parole 07-20-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob Mexico Reporting in for parole 07-27-1863 F 1235
CARTNELL Jacob Mexico Reporting in for parole 08-07-1863 F 1235
CARVER William   Oath of Allegiance 07-02-1864 F 1235
CAUTHORN C.   Oath of Loyalty 10-03-1862 F 1235
CLARK John P. Mexico Introducing James P. McCann 06-06-1864 F 1196
CLARK John P. Mexico Selling himself 07-19-1862 F 1238
CLARKCLUR? John P.   Petitioners are loyal 07-08-1863 F 1304
CLEMENT A. J.   Bond 06-20-1862 F 1239
CLEMENT A. J.   Oath of Loyalty 06-20-1862 F 1239
CLISER Joshua   Oath of Loyalty 06-14-1862 F 1239
COONS Joseph   Oath of Allegiance 04-14-1862 F 1240
DEJARNETT B. B.   Oath of Allegiance 10-02-1862 F 1299
DEJARNETT H. W.   Oath of Allegiance 10-03-1862 F 1299
DOAN Robert F.   Oath of Allegiance 10-01-1862 F 1302
DOBYNS Silas Mexico He is a rebel and should be sent south   F 1302
DOBYNS Silas Mexico Oath of Allegiance   F 1302
DOGGETT John D.   Petition that he is opposed to the war even though he is a southern sympathizer 12-16-1862 F 1303
DOOLIN H.   Oath of Allegiance 10-08-1862 F 1304
DOOLIN James   Oath of Allegiance 10-01-1862 F 1304
DOTY A.   Petition that he be allowed to return home 06-12-1863 F 1304
DOTY Enoch   Oath of Allegiance 06-13-1862 F 1304
DOTY Enoch   $1000 bond for aiding enemies 06-13-1862 F 1304
DOTY Richard   Oath of Allegiance 10-27-1862 F 1304
DOTY W. M.   Oath of Allegiance 06-05-1862 F 1304
DOTY William F.   Oath of Allegiance 06-25-1862 F 1304
DOUGLASS E. R.   Oath of Allegiance 09-29-1862 F 1304
DOUGLASS J. B. Mexico Orders to take W.W. Bucklar to Columbia 04-24-1863 F 1287
DOUGLASS J. W.   Oath of Allegiance 09-29-1862 F 1304
DOUGLASS W. A.   Oath of Allegiance 09-29-1862 F 1304
DUBRAY Christopher Mexico Oath, 08-10-18?? F 1306
DUDLEY R. C.   Oath of Loyalty 10-02-18?? F 1306
DUDLEY WR   Oath of Loyalty 06-21-1862 F 1306
DUFF James   Subpoena 07-05-1864 F 1306
FREDDIE John F.   Oath of Loyalty 03-24-1862 F 1143
FRENCH J. C.   Oath of Loyalty 10-03-1862 F 1143
FRENCH W. H.   Oath of Loyalty 10-02-1862 F 1143
GAMBLE J. W. Mexico Writing a letter of thanks, and explaining the situation 02-11-1863 F 1203
GANNETT Isaac Mexico A check, and the explanation for its tardiness 10-26-1864 F 1210
GANNETT Isaac Mexico Apologizing for sending inept troops 08-29-1864 F 1235
GANNETT Isaac Mexico Request that Cartnell be captured and sent to him 08-19-1864 F 1235
GANNETT Isaac Mexico Sending Charles Tan, a disreputable character who was heavily armed 09-28-1864 F 1401
GANNETT Isaac Mexico Special order to arrest William Carver 06-21-1864 F 1235
GANNETT Isaac Mexico Thomas B. Thompson is released from prison but forbidden from teaching 10-27-1864 F 1211
GANT Thomas R.   Oath of Allegiance 08-02-1864 F 1333
GANT Thomas R.   Oath of Allegiance & Parole 08-29-1864 F 1333
GARDER G. Mexico Timothy Barnes's belongings 06-24-1862 F 1224
GARDNER(?)   Mexico Requesting a petition 01-12-1862 F 1235
GARDNER O. A. A. Mexico James M. Morton is a horrible rebel, and should be punished 03-07-1865 F 1203
GARDNER O. A. A. Mexico Letter of recommendation for his brother-in-law 02-03-1863 F 1237
GARNETT Isaac Mexico Case of J. G. Bradley 08-30-1864 F 1139
GARNETT Isaac Mexico J. G. Bradley arrested for counterfeiting 08-30-1864 F 1139
GARNETT Isaac Mexico Testimony that D.L. Cooper is loyal 11-15-1864 F 1240
GIBBS Edward T.   Oath of Loyalty 10-01-1862 F 1325
GIBBS R. G.   Oath of Loyalty 10-03-1862 F 1325
GREGORY Isaac   Oath of Allegiance 03-11-1862 F 1333
HARRIS M. N. Mexico Asks if Mrs. Coif will be sent away before next Saturday 04-21-1864 F 1187
HARRIS Thomas B.   Statements regards his loyalty, accused selling horses to rebels 11-13-1862 F 1191
HARRISON J. A.   Oath of Loyalty 10-02-1862 F 1145
HARRISON John   Oath of Loyalty 08-02-1862 F 1145
HARRISON Samuel   Oath of Loyalty ?-02-1862 F 1145
HAWKINS W. G.   Oath of Loyalty 11-07-1862 F 1341
HERNDON Joseph G.   Statement accusing Thomas J. Baker of stealing $4 from him   F 1221
HOSLAND G. W.   Statement of arrest of Thomas J. Baker   F 1221
HUGHES Oliver H. P. Mexico Oath of Allegiance 03-20-1864 F 1147
HUNT Lewis   Sworn statement\Testimony   F 1235
JACKSON James   Oath of Allegiance 6-1-1863 F 1477
JACKSON James Mexico Writing a letter to his son was a violation of his oath, is the charge.   F 1477
JACKSON James Mexico Writing letter to son in rebel army 4-11-1863 F 1477
JACKSON Jas.   James Rollins' testimony to loyalty of Jackson. 5-3-1863 F 1477
KEARBY H. M.   Oath of Loyalty 03-17-1862 F 1354
KEEN William   Bond of $1,000 04-14-1864 F 1355
KEEN William   Oath of Allegiance 04-14-1864 F 1355
KESTER Solomon   Bond of $500 10-29-1863 F 1357
KIRR R. B.   Oath of Loyalty 10-03-1862 F 1357
LADD Amos   Sworn statement\Testimony 06?-09-1865 F 1235
LEMON R. S.   Oath of Loyalty   F 1159
LEVAUGH J. H.   Oath of Loyalty   F 1159
LYELL B. J.   Deposition that Jackman said he'd feed Sid again 7-29-1863 F 1477
LYELL R. G. Mexico Letter of recommendation for Leopold Grossman 07-25-1863 F 1335
MANSFIELD Thomas Mexico Oath of Allegiance 03-02-1862 F 1366
MARSHALL William   Oath of Allegiance 02-09-1863 F 1367
MARTEN James M. Mexico Expressing concern about the character of J.R. Abernathy, county court clerk for Monroe county 01-26-1863 F 1213
MARTIN Dr. James W. Mexico Letter directed to Martin to immediately pass a prisoner in his care on to Provost 01-29-1863 F 1484
MARTIN William M.   Asks to be released from parole and bond 09-10-1865 F 1484
MASON W. J. Mexico Regarding a watch taken from him by the Knox County Militia 03-27-1865 F 1484
MASON W. M.   Oath of Allegiance 10-2-1862 F 1484
MCCANN William Mexico Sworn statement 03-13-1865 F 1196
MILLER Rufus L. Mexico About the movements of James Keelan 07-18-1862 F 1355
MODE William   Oath of Allegiance 03-01-1862 F 1158
NORMAN Dudley Mexico Surrender of rebel officer   F 1306
NORVELL James R.   Oath of Loyalty 06-28-1862 F 1378
PARKER     Sworn statement\Testimony   F 1235
PARKER P.(?) Mexico Hutton Parker 12-02-1862 F 1235
PEPPER Samuel Mexico Asks that Benjamin Dobyns receive a speedy trial or be paroled 07-26-1864 F 1302
POLLOCK Isaac Mexico S. L. Dobbyns sells liquor to soldiers   F 1302
REED Darmin   Oath of Allegiance 10-02-1862 F 1205
REED Granville Mexico Applying for extension of the limits of his parole, so as to remove to the State of California 03-17-1864 F 1205
REED John W. Mexico Order permitting him to go under bond to Nebraska Territory 07-29-1864 F 1205
REED T. W.   Oath of Allegiance 10-03-1862 F 1205
REED W. F.   Oath of Allegiance 10-02-1862 F 1205
REYNOLDS J. W.   Oath of Allegiance 10-08-1862 F 1257
REYNOLDS James W   Oath of Allegiance 09-26-1864 F 1257
SAMNET(?)   Mexico An enclosed telegram 08-29-1864 F 1239
SAYN H. B. Mexico Asks an order for the arrest of Mrs. Kemp 12-16-1864 F 1194
SIMS H. C.   Member of EMM unit implicated in the killing of Davidson 09-15-1862 F 1261
SIMS James M. Mexico John P. Clark attesting that Sims is a loyal union man and should be allowed to retain a pistol 09-20-1864 F 1261
SIMS John Mexico Statements for and against him 09-11-1862 F 1261
SINCLAIR R. W.   Stating the good character of James W. Clark 11-14-1862 F 1238
SINCLAIR R. W. Mexico Letter to provost regarding his fleeing his residence 06-25-1864 F 1261
SMART J. L.   Oath of Loyalty 10-08-1862 F 1208
SMITH George R.   Oath of Loyalty 10-02-1862 F 1210
SWITZLER Wm. F. Mexico Requesting the processing of a claim of a French subject 11-05-1863 F 1213
TALBOT James M.   Oath of Allegiance 01-10-1863 F 1401
THOMPSON J. A.   Oath of Allegiance 02-27-1864 F 1211
THOMPSON J. W.   Oath of Loyalty 10-02-1862 F 1211
THOMPSON R. A. Mexico Sworn statement - never took up arms 03-19-1863 F 1211
THOMPSON Thomas W.   Oath of Loyalty 09-27-1862 F 1211
TIMCHER? H.   Oath of Loyalty 10-03-1862 F 1405
TINCHER Ira   Oath of Loyalty 10-02-1862 F 1405
TODD John W.   Oath of Loyalty 09-30-1862 F 1405
TOMPSON Wm. M. Mexico Asking for an arrangement of his bond so that he can move to Oregon 03-08-1865 F 1405
VANSAULT Elijah Mexico Asking that his son (Harrison Vansault) be released from prison 10-24-1862 F 1274
VANSAULT Harrison   Parole 04-09-1863 F 1274
VANSAULT Harrison Mexico Bond of $1,000 04-08-1863 F 1274
VAUGHN Fountain B.   Parole 12-28-1862 F 1274
WANHORT? W. R.   Oath of Loyalty 10-01-1862 F 1274