President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in Confederate states. Slaves in Missouri were not freed until January 11, 1865, unless they enlisted in the United States Colored Troops. The War Department approved recruiting African Americans in August 1862, and 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.
The Missouri men in the Colored Troops were mustered in at Benton Barracks in St. Louis. After March 1864 one of the hospitals at Benton Barracks was designated as a facility "for Colored Troops only." Later that year a medical board found that more than a third of those enlisted in the Colored Troops had died from diseases, harsh working conditions, poor sanitary conditions, and lack of proper food. Few of the Missouri soldiers in the Colored Troops survived to see Missouri slaves freed. 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.(1)
The Missouri men in the Colored Troops were mustered in at Benton Barracks in St. Louis. After March 1864 one of the hospitals at Benton Barracks was designated as a facility "for Colored Troops only." Later that year a medical board found that more than a third of those enlisted in the Colored Troops had died from diseases, harsh working conditions, poor sanitary conditions, and lack of proper food. Few of the Missouri soldiers in the Colored Troops survived to see Missouri slaves freed. 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.(1)
To keep this post from being too long, Camden County slaves will be detailed in two posts. The first post will focus on one Camden County soldier's story, Caswell McClurg.
Caswell McClurg was born in St. Francois County, Missouri circa 1836. J.W. McClurg stated that he came into possession of Caswell through his wife, Mary Johnson, who owned Caswell's mother at the time of Caswell's birth.(2) "The story of the McClurg slaves starts in St. Francois County, Missouri in an area called 'Murphy's Settlement' that later became the town of Farmington. John and Francis Ann Johnson lived there with their children and slaves. After John died in 1828, William D. 'Pap' Murphy married Francis Ann and was made guardian of John's heirs, and thus was responsible for the slaves that were a part of the estate. In 1841, Mary, one of the daughters of John and Francis Ann, married Joseph W. McClurg. When the estate was divided among the heirs in November of 1843, Joseph W. McClurg became a slave owner for the first time in his life. The daughters and their husbands, plus the mother and her new husband, all became citizens of Linn Creek, bringing their slaves to Camden County with them."(3)
For more information on the prosperous Murphy and McClurg Mercantile in Linn Creek, and their slaves, please read the post titled "Camden County Mercantiles and the USCT" from March 2015.
In November 1863 Order No. 135 began allowing enlistment of slaves without the consent of the slaveholder. Several slaves from Camden County made their way to recruiting stations and enlisted. Caswell and other slaves belonging to Joseph McClurg were freed in November. After manumission Caswell moved to Jefferson City. He gave his age as 28 when he enlisted at Jefferson City on March 29, 1864, along with three other former McClurg slaves and Peter Allison, a fifth slave from Camden County.
For more information on the prosperous Murphy and McClurg Mercantile in Linn Creek, and their slaves, please read the post titled "Camden County Mercantiles and the USCT" from March 2015.
By the end of 1862, Mr. E. B. Torbert was Joseph McClurg's new business partner in a Linn Creek mercantile. Joseph McClurg had been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Radical Republican. Radicals demanded emancipation of slaves and punishment of secessionists. "His strong Unionist views angered rebel sympathizers and the mercantile was burned twice. By March of 1863, the losses totaled more than $150,000. His business partner, E. B. Torbert fled to St. Louis with the remaining resources from the mercantile. It would take McClurg years to retire his debts and interest payments; and settle with Torbert‟s demands for financial compensation over merchandise that McClurg had given in support of the Union."(4)
The first two slaves to enlist in the Colored Troops at Lebanon, Missouri, were Sam Henry and Judge Torbert of Camden County. The two men enlisted on February 21, 1863, just weeks after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863. Both men had belonged to E. B. Torbert and worked on the boats transporting goods up and down the rivers.
The first two slaves to enlist in the Colored Troops at Lebanon, Missouri, were Sam Henry and Judge Torbert of Camden County. The two men enlisted on February 21, 1863, just weeks after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863. Both men had belonged to E. B. Torbert and worked on the boats transporting goods up and down the rivers.
In November 1863 Order No. 135 began allowing enlistment of slaves without the consent of the slaveholder. Several slaves from Camden County made their way to recruiting stations and enlisted. Caswell and other slaves belonging to Joseph McClurg were freed in November. After manumission Caswell moved to Jefferson City. He gave his age as 28 when he enlisted at Jefferson City on March 29, 1864, along with three other former McClurg slaves and Peter Allison, a fifth slave from Camden County.
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration
Caswell was listed as 5 ft. 6 1/2 inches, black hair, black eyes, and copper complexion. Copper was often used as a designation for Mulatto or mixed ancestry. He made his mark to give his consent to the enlistment. It was illegal in Missouri to teach slaves 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. Caswell was mustered in as Private in the 68th Regt. Co H under Capt. Root on April 6, 1864, at Benton Barracks in St. Louis. In May 1864 he was promoted to Sergeant, and then to First Sergeant in January 1865.
An anecdote titled "Noble Words and Acts of a Slavemaster" detailed Caswell's slaveholder's actions: "Hon. Mr. McClurg, the well known member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri, showed patriotism by giving written permits to several of his slaves to go into the army, securing to each of them whatever compensation he himself might be entitled to as a loyal owner, and stipulating that in case of the death of the men, their wives and children should receive the money. He also wrote a letter to his 'yellow' man, Caswell, in which he said to him, 'Make your own choice. If you go into the army, let me hear frequently from you. Make peace with your God and you need not fear death. Be temperate; save your earnings. If you ever fight, fight with desperation, and never surrender. Enroll your name as Caswell McClurg, and try to give honor to it. In the army use your idle hours in learning to read and write.'"(5) Note: A slaveholder could be compensated $300 by the government for the service of the slave. I believe the term "yellow" refers to Caswell as a Mulatto. That is the description given in the 1860 Slave Schedule for Camden County.
Affidavits of Ownership and Loyalty for Compensation for Service of Slave
Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration
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. Caswell was mustered in as Private in the 68th Regt. Co H under Capt. Root on April 6, 1864, at Benton Barracks in St. Louis. In May 1864 he was promoted to Sergeant, and then to First Sergeant in January 1865.
A description of the service of the 68th Regiment during the Civil War follows: "was at St. Louis until April 27, 1864. Ordered to Memphis, Tenn., and duty in the Defenses of that city until February, 1865. Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., July 5-21, 1864. Camargo's Cross Roads, near Harrisburg, July 13. Tupelo July 14-15. Old Town Creek July 15. At Fort Pickering, Defenses of Memphis, Tenn., until February, 1865. Ordered to New Orleans, La., thence to Barrancas, Fla. March from Pensacola, Fla., to Blakely, Ala., March 20-April 1. Siege of Fort Blakely April 1-9. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12. March to Montgomery April 13-25. Duty there and at Mobile until June. Moved to New Orleans, La., thence to Texas. Duty on the Rio Grande and at various points in Texas until February, 1866. Mustered out February 5, 1866."(6)
Caswell McClurg was mustered out February 5, 1866, at Camp Parapet, Louisiana. In 1870 he was living in Camden County with his wife Mary A. McClurg and an eight year old son Moses. Caswell could read and write and worked as a teamster.(7) His ex-slaveholder, Joseph McClurg, was Governor of Missouri.
Over the next decade Caswell moved his family to Carthage in Jasper County, Missouri. Caswell may have been helping Thomas Gray. Thomas had been an associate of Joseph McClurg's at his mercantile in Linn Creek before the war. The citizens of Carthage left during the war and most didn't return. Thomas Gray built the first house in Carthage after the war and opened a mercantile in it. Within a decade he had sold the mercantile and entered the lumber business. He eventually became successful in the loan and insurance business.(8)
"The African American community that developed in Carthage after Emancipation was concentrated in an area known as Tiger Hill, near the northwest city limit. Prominent leaders among the black residents were Caswell McClurg, B.F. Adams and Reverend A. Coleman. In 1880, McClurg ran as a Republican candidate for the Carthage Board of Education, with active white support; he lost by only a few votes."(9)
Later that year Caswell was working at a flour mill in Carthage when he was critically injured. "At Cowgill & Hill's mill today Mr. Caswell McClurg was at work below, when somehow he got caught by the machinery and was drawn in-between two large wheels, where his hips and thighs were crushed almost to a jelly. It is believed that death will certainly ensue. Mr. McClurg is a highly respected colored man and his injury is a matter of deep regret to the family."(10) This article is followed by a second article in the same paper: "It is with deep regret that we are called upon to announce, although it was predicted yesterday, the death of Caswell McClurg, as the result of the terrible injuries he received yesterday. He died at six o'clock p.m. yesterday, and we understand will be buried today. Thus has passed away an honest man and a good citizen, respected by all who knew him. May he rest in peace."(10) Caswell McClurg was buried in an unmarked grave in Park Cemetery.
Caswell's son Moses/Mose McClurg became a barber. By 1910 he had moved to Laclede County and had his own shop. He was living with his mother who was working as a laundress for a private family. Moses was listed as Single when he died in Lebanon in 1915 and was buried near his father in Park Cemetery in Carthage.
Later that year Caswell was working at a flour mill in Carthage when he was critically injured. "At Cowgill & Hill's mill today Mr. Caswell McClurg was at work below, when somehow he got caught by the machinery and was drawn in-between two large wheels, where his hips and thighs were crushed almost to a jelly. It is believed that death will certainly ensue. Mr. McClurg is a highly respected colored man and his injury is a matter of deep regret to the family."(10) This article is followed by a second article in the same paper: "It is with deep regret that we are called upon to announce, although it was predicted yesterday, the death of Caswell McClurg, as the result of the terrible injuries he received yesterday. He died at six o'clock p.m. yesterday, and we understand will be buried today. Thus has passed away an honest man and a good citizen, respected by all who knew him. May he rest in peace."(10) Caswell McClurg was buried in an unmarked grave in Park Cemetery.
Caswell's son Moses/Mose McClurg became a barber. By 1910 he had moved to Laclede County and had his own shop. He was living with his mother who was working as a laundress for a private family. Moses was listed as Single when he died in Lebanon in 1915 and was buried near his father in Park Cemetery in Carthage.
In September 1900 Caswell's wife, now Mary A. McClurg Vernon, filed for a Civil War widow's pension from Missouri. Her second husband, Andy Vernon, was a blacksmith in Laclede County. They married in Lebanon on September 2, 1888 at the home of Easter/Esther Jones. Like the McClurg and Jones families, the Vernon family of Camden County held several slaves before the Civil War. Andy Vernon died on July 9, 1901, and is buried in the Lebanon City Cemetery.
Caswell McClurg's wife was likely a daughter of Esther (pronounced Easter) Jones or one of her sisters. Mose McClurg's death certificate listed his mother's maiden name as Jones. Esther Jones was born a slave in North Carolina in 1825 and brought to Camden County by John Jones. He was J. W. McClurg's brother-in-law and business partner. John Jones brought several slaves to Camden County before he was killed in a steamboat explosion in 1852. On the 1860 Slave Schedule his widow held an interest in 16 slaves, one of whom was a 22 year old female.
During the Civil War Esther Jones cooked beans in a large pot in the front yard and sold them to passing soldiers. After the Civil War several of the Camden County former slaves moved to Laclede County because a school for their children existed there. On July 14, 1865, just six months after being emancipated, Esther Jones bought her first real estate in Laclede County with her "bean" money. She was midwife at many births, both black and white, in the area. Esther Jones passed away in March 1907, and is buried in the Lebanon City Cemetery.
After the death of her son Mose in 1915, Mary Ann McClurg Vernon returned to Jasper County and lived at 828 E. Fifth Street in Carthage. When she passed away on September 19, 1927, she was interred in Park Cemetery. Information for the death certificate was provided by Zoe Moore, possibly her great niece.
With the help of Frank Stine at Park Cemetery, Nancy Brewer at Findagrave, Rhonda Richards with the Memorial Program Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Michele Hansford at the Powers Museum, and Steve Weldon at the Jasper County Records Research Center, in 2015 a marker was placed on Caswell McClurg's grave commemorating his service in the Colored Troops.
Caswell McClurg's wife was likely a daughter of Esther (pronounced Easter) Jones or one of her sisters. Mose McClurg's death certificate listed his mother's maiden name as Jones. Esther Jones was born a slave in North Carolina in 1825 and brought to Camden County by John Jones. He was J. W. McClurg's brother-in-law and business partner. John Jones brought several slaves to Camden County before he was killed in a steamboat explosion in 1852. On the 1860 Slave Schedule his widow held an interest in 16 slaves, one of whom was a 22 year old female.
During the Civil War Esther Jones cooked beans in a large pot in the front yard and sold them to passing soldiers. After the Civil War several of the Camden County former slaves moved to Laclede County because a school for their children existed there. On July 14, 1865, just six months after being emancipated, Esther Jones bought her first real estate in Laclede County with her "bean" money. She was midwife at many births, both black and white, in the area. Esther Jones passed away in March 1907, and is buried in the Lebanon City Cemetery.
With the help of Frank Stine at Park Cemetery, Nancy Brewer at Findagrave, Rhonda Richards with the Memorial Program Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Michele Hansford at the Powers Museum, and Steve Weldon at the Jasper County Records Research Center, in 2015 a marker was placed on Caswell McClurg's grave commemorating his service in the Colored Troops.
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(1) http://www.buffalosoldier.net/62nd65thRegimentsU.S.ColoredInfantry.htm
(2) Application for Compensation for Service of Slave filed by J. W. McClurg on November 14, 1866.
Nationacarthage l Archives and Records Administration
(3) The Camden County Historian 1992. The Camden County Historical Society p. 96.
(4) Joseph McClurg. Dictionary of Missouri Biography edited by Lawrence O. Christensen, William E. Foley, Gary Kremer. Published by University of Missouri Press 1999. This book is available at several libraries or can be purchased online as an ebook.
(5) The Pictorial Book of Anecdotes and Incidents of the War of the Rebellion, Civil, Military, Naval and Domestic (Google eBooks) Richard Miller Devens W.E. Bliss & Company, 1873 p. 175
(6) http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/uncolinf3.htm
(7) 1870 Census of Camden County, Missouri
(8) The History of Jasper County, Missouri by Malcolm McGregor 1901 p. 391-392
(9) https://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/survey/SWAS023-S.pdf
(10) The Carthage Weekly Banner, September 22, 1880.
(2) Application for Compensation for Service of Slave filed by J. W. McClurg on November 14, 1866.
Nationacarthage l Archives and Records Administration
(3) The Camden County Historian 1992. The Camden County Historical Society p. 96.
(4) Joseph McClurg. Dictionary of Missouri Biography edited by Lawrence O. Christensen, William E. Foley, Gary Kremer. Published by University of Missouri Press 1999. This book is available at several libraries or can be purchased online as an ebook.
(5) The Pictorial Book of Anecdotes and Incidents of the War of the Rebellion, Civil, Military, Naval and Domestic (Google eBooks) Richard Miller Devens W.E. Bliss & Company, 1873 p. 175
(6) http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/uncolinf3.htm
(7) 1870 Census of Camden County, Missouri
(8) The History of Jasper County, Missouri by Malcolm McGregor 1901 p. 391-392
(9) https://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/survey/SWAS023-S.pdf
(10) The Carthage Weekly Banner, September 22, 1880.
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