This blog post is dedicated to Robert H. Prouty of Eldon, Missouri, who led a group of African Americans in the V-12 program at Purdue University during World War II. One member of this group was Frederick Branch, the first African American officer in the Marine Corps.
General information: The War Department approved recruiting African Americans in the United States Colored Troops in August 1862. President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863 freed the slaves in Confederate states. Slaves in Missouri were not freed. Recruitment increased following the Emancipation Proclamation. Slaves who fought would be declared free and this would result in freedom for their wives and children also.
In November 1863 Order No. 135 began allowing enlistment of slaves without the consent of the slaveholder. Several slaves from Miller County made their way to recruiting stations and enlisted. They were mustered in at Benton Barracks in St. Louis. A medical board convened in October 1864 found that more than a third of three Missouri black regiments - the 62nd, 65th, and 67th U.S. Colored Infantry - had perished since enlistment, mostly from various undiagnosed diseases. Others died due to poor sanitation, lack of proper food, and harsh working conditions.
Union commanders often assigned black recruits to tasks of hard labor while white troops stood idle. The soldiers in many regiments were not trained to fight until the end of the war. "Events at the post of Morganzia, Louisiana, during the summer of 1864 demonstrate the grim consequences of the discriminatory policy. In July 1864, the officers of several black regiments stationed at Morganza protested the assignment of their troops exclusively to fatigue duty, noting that the white soldiers were rarely so engaged. The post commander at first denied the accusation. Later he acknowledged the truth of the complaint, but argued that nothing could be done. Through the steaming summer months, black soldiers continued to toil on the fortification. The black units had no time for drill, so it mattered little that they were issued worthless arms or that they were excluded from military exercises, including weekly inspections."
"Among whites, only military prisoners wearing ball and chain followed a similar regimen, a comparison which galled and demoralized black soldiers and their officers. The discriminatory duties assigned black regiments stationed at Morganza were also extended to other black units who moved into the area, suggesting endemic racism within the post command. By the end of summer, continuous labor had left its mark, especially among border-state soldiers who had little resistance to lowland diseases. Soon thereafter, the appointment of General Daniel Ullman as post commander improved conditions somewhat. He moderated, "heavy labor, in mud and water," corrected unsanitary conditions, and revised the soldiers' diet. But by then the damage was done." Freedom: A Documentary History of Emancipation 1861-1867: Series 11: The Black Military Experience, p. 487.
By the end of the war, one-tenth of Union forces were African-Americans. Eighteen African-American soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their service during the Civil War. http://www.buffalosoldier.net/62nd65thRegimentsU.S.ColoredInfantry.htm
In November 1863 Order No. 135 began allowing enlistment of slaves without the consent of the slaveholder. Several slaves from Miller County made their way to recruiting stations and enlisted. They were mustered in at Benton Barracks in St. Louis. A medical board convened in October 1864 found that more than a third of three Missouri black regiments - the 62nd, 65th, and 67th U.S. Colored Infantry - had perished since enlistment, mostly from various undiagnosed diseases. Others died due to poor sanitation, lack of proper food, and harsh working conditions.
Union commanders often assigned black recruits to tasks of hard labor while white troops stood idle. The soldiers in many regiments were not trained to fight until the end of the war. "Events at the post of Morganzia, Louisiana, during the summer of 1864 demonstrate the grim consequences of the discriminatory policy. In July 1864, the officers of several black regiments stationed at Morganza protested the assignment of their troops exclusively to fatigue duty, noting that the white soldiers were rarely so engaged. The post commander at first denied the accusation. Later he acknowledged the truth of the complaint, but argued that nothing could be done. Through the steaming summer months, black soldiers continued to toil on the fortification. The black units had no time for drill, so it mattered little that they were issued worthless arms or that they were excluded from military exercises, including weekly inspections."
"Among whites, only military prisoners wearing ball and chain followed a similar regimen, a comparison which galled and demoralized black soldiers and their officers. The discriminatory duties assigned black regiments stationed at Morganza were also extended to other black units who moved into the area, suggesting endemic racism within the post command. By the end of summer, continuous labor had left its mark, especially among border-state soldiers who had little resistance to lowland diseases. Soon thereafter, the appointment of General Daniel Ullman as post commander improved conditions somewhat. He moderated, "heavy labor, in mud and water," corrected unsanitary conditions, and revised the soldiers' diet. But by then the damage was done." Freedom: A Documentary History of Emancipation 1861-1867: Series 11: The Black Military Experience, p. 487.
By the end of the war, one-tenth of Union forces were African-Americans. Eighteen African-American soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their service during the Civil War. http://www.buffalosoldier.net/62nd65thRegimentsU.S.ColoredInfantry.htm
Soldiers at school
National Archives and Records Administration
It was illegal in Missouri to teach a slave to read and write. Many African American soldiers learned to read during their service years. Commanding officers issued orders demanding that noncommissioned officers learn to read or be demoted, and offering a gold pen to the soldier that could write the best.
"At the close of the Civil War soldiers and officers of the 62nd United State Colored Infantry, stationed at Fort McIntosh, Texas, but composed primarily of Missourians, took steps to establish an educational institution in Jefferson City, Missouri, which they named Lincoln Institute." http://www.lincolnu.edu/web/about-lincoln/our-history Soldiers from two of the regiments, the 62nd and 65th, contributed part of their monthly salary of $7.00 or $8.00 to establish Lincoln Institute, now Lincoln University, in Jefferson City so that others could learn.
"The 62nd U.S. Colored Infantry, raised in Missouri in late 1863 as the 1st Missouri Colored Infantry, was ordered to the Department of the Gulf in 1864, and incorporated into the 25th Army Corps at war's end, Upon leaving the regiment in January 1866, its commander boasted that "of four hundred and thirty one men, ninety nine had learned to read and write understandingly; two hundred and eighty-four can read; three hundred and thirty seven can spell in words of two syllables, and are learning to read, not more than ten men have failed to learn the alphabet." Freedom: A Documentary History of Emancipation 1861-1867: Series 11: The Black Military Experience, p. 613.
"At the close of the Civil War soldiers and officers of the 62nd United State Colored Infantry, stationed at Fort McIntosh, Texas, but composed primarily of Missourians, took steps to establish an educational institution in Jefferson City, Missouri, which they named Lincoln Institute." http://www.lincolnu.edu/web/about-lincoln/our-history Soldiers from two of the regiments, the 62nd and 65th, contributed part of their monthly salary of $7.00 or $8.00 to establish Lincoln Institute, now Lincoln University, in Jefferson City so that others could learn.
Miller County information: In 1860 Miller County held 182 slaves. The slaves worked on steamboats loading and unloading cargo, as lead miners, domestic servants, and farm laborers. Few of the Miller County soldiers that enlisted in the Colored Troops survived to see emancipation for Missouri slaves. The soldiers' individual stories are ordered by the date they enlisted.
Thomas Ballance was born in Miller County, Missouri, and gave his age as 16 when he enlisted for three years at Franklin County, Missouri on June 8, 1863. He was 5 feet 2 and a half inches tall with black hair, black eyes, and black complexion. He was assigned to Company D of the 3rd Regt. Arkansas Colored Infantry. This unit became Company D of the 56th Regt. USCT.
Isaac Ballance was born in Miller County, Missouri, and gave his age as 18 when he enlisted for three years at St. Louis, Missouri on June 21, 1863. He was 5 feet tall with black hair, black eyes, and black complexion. He was assigned to Company D of the 3rd Regt. Arkansas Colored Infantry. This unit became Company D of the 56th Regt. USCT. For the next three years Isaac served as the Drummer of the Unit.
Thomas Ballance was born in Miller County, Missouri, and gave his age as 16 when he enlisted for three years at Franklin County, Missouri on June 8, 1863. He was 5 feet 2 and a half inches tall with black hair, black eyes, and black complexion. He was assigned to Company D of the 3rd Regt. Arkansas Colored Infantry. This unit became Company D of the 56th Regt. USCT.
Isaac Ballance was born in Miller County, Missouri, and gave his age as 18 when he enlisted for three years at St. Louis, Missouri on June 21, 1863. He was 5 feet tall with black hair, black eyes, and black complexion. He was assigned to Company D of the 3rd Regt. Arkansas Colored Infantry. This unit became Company D of the 56th Regt. USCT. For the next three years Isaac served as the Drummer of the Unit.
| The 56th was traveling aboard two steamers to be mustered out in 1866. During the trip several soldiers died of an undiagnosed illness. A surgeon inspected the men and reported no cholera among them. The men arrived in St. Louis at night and were kept onboard until the next morning, rather than being allowed to roam the town. The next morning, it was clear that the 56th Regiment had cholera. Ordered back to Quarantine Station, the unit lost 178 enlisted men and one officer in the next few weeks. During its service the 56th Regiment lost a total of 674 men. Four officers and 21 enlisted men were killed in action or of wounds. Two officers and 647 enlisted men were killed by disease. Thomas and Isaac were mustered out Sept. 15, 1866, at Quarantine Station. In 1880 Thomas and his wife Annie were living in Jefferson City. Both could read and write. Thomas stated that his parents were born in Virginia. He was working as a laborer. Thomas filed for an Invalid's Pension in 1890. | |
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George listed his slaveholder as M. McKinney. Mortimore McKinney was born in Wayne County, Kentucky, in 1801. He and his wife Elizabeth Bond McKinney moved to Miller County in the 1830's settling in Saline Township. George was purchased by Mortimore McKinney from the estate of Benjamin Hinds in January 1860 for $1205.00. George Alfred's enrollment papers listed him as 5 feet 9 inches tall, black hair, black eyes, and black complexion.
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In 1870 George Alfred and his wife Amanda were in Jefferson City with their two young daughters. George filed for an invalid's pension in 1888.
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James Munroe / Monroe, born in Barren County, Kentucky, gave his age as 19 when he also enlisted at Jefferson City on December 7, 1863. James Monroe listed his slaveholder as John S. Franklin of Miller County. John S. Franklin was born in Virginia in 1804, then moved to Barren County, Kentucky by 1820. John stated that he inherited James Monroe as an heir of his father, Reuben Franklin, who died in Kentucky. By 1850 John and his wife Susan Harrison Franklin and children were living in the Saline Township of Miller County. The 1860 Slave Schedule listed John S. Franklin owning one slave, a 14 year old male described as Mulatto.
Note: There were multiple James Monroe's in Company F. Notations have been added to James K. Monroe's records indicating that he was a slave from Miller County. James K. Monroe was mustered into the 62nd Regt. Co. F at Benton Barracks. He died of bronchitis at Port Hudson, Louisiana on July 24, 1864. My research indicated that this James Monroe was probably not from Miller County.
The 62nd Regiment was sent to Louisiana and Texas. This Regiment fought in the final battles of the Civil War in Texas. James Monroe was transferred from Company F to Company A on January 19, 1866, due to consolidation. Company A was mustered out March 31, 1866, in Brownsville, Texas.
James M. Franklin alias James Monroe of the 62nd Regt. Co. F filed for an invalid's pension March 30, 1881. In the 1900 Census, James and his wife were living in neighboring Laclede County with four children aged 25 to 14. James
could read and write. His widow, Jennie V. Pitts Franklin, filed for a pension after his death on December 27, 1915, at Lebanon, Missouri. James Monroe Franklin and his wife were buried in the Lebanon City Cemetery. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=25057301&ref=acom
Slaveholders could be compensated by the government for a slave who served in the Colored Troops. John Franklin filed a claim on November 16, 1866. The claim required the slaveholder to sign a Loyalty Oath.
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Note: There were multiple James Monroe's in Company F. Notations have been added to James K. Monroe's records indicating that he was a slave from Miller County. James K. Monroe was mustered into the 62nd Regt. Co. F at Benton Barracks. He died of bronchitis at Port Hudson, Louisiana on July 24, 1864. My research indicated that this James Monroe was probably not from Miller County.
The 62nd Regiment was sent to Louisiana and Texas. This Regiment fought in the final battles of the Civil War in Texas. James Monroe was transferred from Company F to Company A on January 19, 1866, due to consolidation. Company A was mustered out March 31, 1866, in Brownsville, Texas.
James M. Franklin alias James Monroe of the 62nd Regt. Co. F filed for an invalid's pension March 30, 1881. In the 1900 Census, James and his wife were living in neighboring Laclede County with four children aged 25 to 14. James
could read and write. His widow, Jennie V. Pitts Franklin, filed for a pension after his death on December 27, 1915, at Lebanon, Missouri. James Monroe Franklin and his wife were buried in the Lebanon City Cemetery. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=25057301&ref=acom
Slaveholders could be compensated by the government for a slave who served in the Colored Troops. John Franklin filed a claim on November 16, 1866. The claim required the slaveholder to sign a Loyalty Oath.
National Archives and Records Administration
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David Buster, born in Wayne County, Kentucky, gave his age as 18 when he enlisted at Jefferson City on December 14, 1863. According to a pension application, at enlistment David was told if he used the surname "Hines" the compensation for enlistment would go to his father's slavemaster, so he enlisted as David Buster.
David listed his slaveholder as Mrs. Jane Hines. Nancy Jane Bond Hines (Hinds) was born in Wayne County, Kentucky in 1807. Her father, Isaac Bond, had been bound out at the age of ten to Joseph Hines. Jane married Joseph's son, Benjamin Hines, and by 1834 they were living in the area that became Saline Township of Miller County. Benjamin died in 1859. "While in probate the slaves of the estate were hired to the highest bidder. In 1859 five of the 18 slaves belonging to the estate of Benjamin Hinds were given to Jane Hinds, his widow. Those given as a dower to Jane Hinds were called Amanda, Jim Jr., David, Jack, and Isum. David, aged fourteen, was appraised at $800.00. The county court ordered the other slaves to be sold at public auction on January 10, 1860." A History of Miller County, Missouri by Gerard Schultz 1933
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David Buster was mustered into the 65th Regt. Co. B under Capt. Moon on December 18, 1863, at Benton Barracks. He was one of the many Missouri soldiers in the Colored Troops who died in Morganza, Louisiana, in the summer of 1864. He died of chronic diarrhea on July 21, 1864, in quarters in Morganza, Louisiana.
James Buster Hines applied for a father's pension in 1891, stating that David's mother had died. He owned twenty acres with a story and a half frame dwelling in Jefferson City valued at $150 to $200. In his seventies, this property wasn't adequate to provide support for him. A witness for David's father, Thomas Ballance, aged about fifty, stated he had known David as children, and that David was sound and healthy before enlisting. Thomas was born into slavery in Miller County about 1847. He enlisted in Franklin County, Missouri on June 8, 1863, at the age of 16.
David listed his slaveholder as Mrs. Jane Hines. Nancy Jane Bond Hines (Hinds) was born in Wayne County, Kentucky in 1807. Her father, Isaac Bond, had been bound out at the age of ten to Joseph Hines. Jane married Joseph's son, Benjamin Hines, and by 1834 they were living in the area that became Saline Township of Miller County. Benjamin died in 1859. "While in probate the slaves of the estate were hired to the highest bidder. In 1859 five of the 18 slaves belonging to the estate of Benjamin Hinds were given to Jane Hinds, his widow. Those given as a dower to Jane Hinds were called Amanda, Jim Jr., David, Jack, and Isum. David, aged fourteen, was appraised at $800.00. The county court ordered the other slaves to be sold at public auction on January 10, 1860." A History of Miller County, Missouri by Gerard Schultz 1933
David Buster was mustered into the 65th Regt. Co. B under Capt. Moon on December 18, 1863, at Benton Barracks. He was one of the many Missouri soldiers in the Colored Troops who died in Morganza, Louisiana, in the summer of 1864. He died of chronic diarrhea on July 21, 1864, in quarters in Morganza, Louisiana.
David's mother, Alice Parker, was awarded a mother's pension of $8.00 a month in 1868. The pension application stated that she had been married to Thompson Parker in 1838 in Palmyra, Missouri, by a colored preacher, William Loney. She and her husband were slaves of John Kerr, and her name before marriage was Alice Kerr. Her son David was a slave of Mr. Buster of Boone County, Missouri, and took the name of his former slaveholder. The application stated that his mother was widowed and at least sixty years old, held no property of any kind, and her only support was her own labor. Her son had been providing support for her as much as possible before his enlistment and planned to send money to her when paid by the Army. He had given her twenty-five cents at various times from 1861 to 1863. During this time she was a slave of Phillip Crow.
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration
James Buster Hines applied for a father's pension in 1891, stating that David's mother had died. He owned twenty acres with a story and a half frame dwelling in Jefferson City valued at $150 to $200. In his seventies, this property wasn't adequate to provide support for him. A witness for David's father, Thomas Ballance, aged about fifty, stated he had known David as children, and that David was sound and healthy before enlisting. Thomas was born into slavery in Miller County about 1847. He enlisted in Franklin County, Missouri on June 8, 1863, at the age of 16.
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William Henry Cooper, born in Miller County, gave his age as 22 when he enlisted at Jefferson City on December 23, 1863. He was 5 feet, 6 inches tall, with black hair, black eyes, and copper complexion. William listed his slaveholder as Esom B. Dooley of Miller County. The 1860 Slave Schedule listed Esom Dooley of Franklin Township owning seven slaves, including an 18 year old male described as Mulatto.
Esom Ballinger Dooley from Maury County, Tennessee, came to Miller County and married Ellen Brockman in August 1839. Esom Dooley purchased William Cooper on February 10, 1847, from William Monroe at Jefferson City. According to the Bill of Sale, Esom paid $700 (seven hundred) for "a negro woman named Catharine about 22 years of age and her two children, the older a boy named Cooper age about four years, and the younger a girl named Delila Ann, age about eleven months."
William Cooper was mustered into the 65th Regt. Co. E under Capt. Bailey on January 6, 1864, at Benton Barracks. By April he was in the Corps d'Afrique Hospital in New Orleans, and died of chronic diarrhea on May 22, 1864.
In 1866 Esom Dooley applied for compensation as the slaveholder of William Henry Cooper, stating that William Cooper had enlisted without his knowledge
Esom Ballinger Dooley from Maury County, Tennessee, came to Miller County and married Ellen Brockman in August 1839. Esom Dooley purchased William Cooper on February 10, 1847, from William Monroe at Jefferson City. According to the Bill of Sale, Esom paid $700 (seven hundred) for "a negro woman named Catharine about 22 years of age and her two children, the older a boy named Cooper age about four years, and the younger a girl named Delila Ann, age about eleven months."
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William Cooper was mustered into the 65th Regt. Co. E under Capt. Bailey on January 6, 1864, at Benton Barracks. By April he was in the Corps d'Afrique Hospital in New Orleans, and died of chronic diarrhea on May 22, 1864.
In 1866 Esom Dooley applied for compensation as the slaveholder of William Henry Cooper, stating that William Cooper had enlisted without his knowledge
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration
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James Anthony, born in Shelby County, Kentucky, gave his age as 21 when he enlisted at Tipton on January 3, 1864. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall. James listed his slaveholder as Louisa Jesse of Miller County. Louisa Jesse and her family came to Missouri in the 1840's from Shelby County, Kentucky. Her husband, James Jesse, died in Miller County in 1859. On the 1860 Slave Schedule Louisa is listed with one male slave age 15 described as Black.
Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration
Two weeks later, on January 16, 1864, James was in the hospital at Benton Barracks. He was never mustered in for service due to illness. In January 1865 he was diagnosed with pleurisy, rheumatism, jaundice, and pneumonia. James died of pneumonia at the Benton Barracks hospital on February 5, 1865.
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James W. Combs, born in Logan County, Kentucky, gave his age as 19 when he enlisted at Rolla on February 22, 1864. James listed his slaveholder as James Hite. According to the Miller County Historical Society, "James C. Hite came to Missouri to sell some slaves in Independence but business was not very good so, with several of his slaves, he started back to Logan County, Kentucky. He stopped off in Miller County to visit his brother and his wife’s sister. He was impressed with the beautiful terrain of northern Saline Township, so decided to stay. He and his family first lived in the Pleasant Mount area and later bought some land. There is a family cemetery located on this land with members of the Hite family buried there. Legend says several slaves are also buried in the region, just outside the fence, with large fieldstones as grave markers. In 1860, James C. Hite was the owner of 7 slaves with an assessment of $3,300; and by 1862, the value of 8 slaves was only assessed at $450."
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration
James Combs was mustered into the 67th Regt. Co. I under Capt. Nickerson on February 27, 1864, at Benton Barracks. Special Order 186 transferred him to the 65th Regiment Company B on August 15, 1865. Service records note that he deserted on March 17, 1866, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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William McCarty, born in Boone County, Missouri, gave his age as 45 when he enlisted at Jefferson City on February 22, 1864. William listed his slaveholder as Campbell McCarty of Miller County. The 1860 Slave Schedule listed Campbell McCarty as slaveholder for two males, age 22 described as Mulatto and age 21 described as Black.
William was mustered into the 67th Regt. Company H on February 27, 1864. He was transferred by Special Order 186 to the 65th Regt. Company C in August 1865. William died June 24, 1866, in the smallpox hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Emeline Houser McCarty applied for a widow's pension and received $8.00 per month. She died November 4, 1906.
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration
Emeline Houser McCarty applied for a widow's pension and received $8.00 per month. She died November 4, 1906.
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Isaac Duncan, born in Pulaski County, Kentucky, gave his age as 43 when he was recruited at Jefferson City on March 20, 1864.
Isaac listed his slaveholder as William Duncan of Miller County. The 1860 Slave Schedule listed William Duncan of Franklin Township owning seven slaves, including a 30 year old male described as Black. Other slaves held by William Duncan in 1860 included a 26 year old female and a 17 year old female both described as Black and four young girls all described as Black.
No further information regarding Isaac was found.
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Isaac listed his slaveholder as William Duncan of Miller County. The 1860 Slave Schedule listed William Duncan of Franklin Township owning seven slaves, including a 30 year old male described as Black. Other slaves held by William Duncan in 1860 included a 26 year old female and a 17 year old female both described as Black and four young girls all described as Black.
No further information regarding Isaac was found.
***Source for List of Miller County Slaves who enlisted in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War
St. Louis County Public Library - Descriptive Recruitment Lists of Volunteers for the United States Colored Troops for the State of Missouri, 1863-1865
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William and Henry Allen, aged 38 and 41, were enumerated in the Civil War Draft Registration for Miller County in August 1863. They were listed as colored and laborers. Hardy Allen age 33 and Joseph Allen age 31 were listed as colored and farmers. All four men were born in Kentucky.