Creation of The Missouri State Militia
On November 6, 1861 Provisional Missouri Governor Hamilton Rowan Gamble reached an agreement with United States President Abraham Lincoln to form a new full-time state militia equipped and financed by the United States but under control of the Missouri governor with officers appointed by him. The new Missouri State Militia would cooperate with Federal commanders but would not be subject to service outside the state except when necessary to directly defend it. The Six-month militia was disbanded by General Order No. 2 of the Missouri Adjutant General on January 14 and effective January 25, 1862.
The new Missouri State Militia (MSM) was primarily a mounted force active throughout the remainder of the war. Cavalry were necessary to pursue and confront fast moving mounted guerrillas, recruiters, and raiders. By April 1862 the Missouri State Militia consisted of fourteen cavalry regiments, three cavalry battalions, two light artillery batteries, an infantry regiment and several independent companies of various types. On February 13, 1862 however, the United States Congress limited the size of the force to 10,000 in an effort to control expenses. The exigencies of war produced delay by the Federal War Department in complying with this law--primarily through attrition. Eventually the militia would be reorganized into nine regiments of cavalry and one of infantry. This was accomplished through General Order Number 5 by the Missouri Adjutant General which broke up the 3rd, 5th, and 12th Missouri State Militia Cavalry regiments and distributed them among other regiments. The 2nd Battalion Missouri State Militia was also disbanded and the 11th regiment and 1st battalion had been consolidated within the 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry earlier.
Read more about this topic: Missouri State Militia (Union)
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