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William
T. Coppedge enlisted as a Private in Porter’s Regiment, 1st
Northeast Missouri Cavalry, in Monroe County on July 31,
1862. His Company Muster Roll Card indicated his capture on
October 2, 1862; his Roll of Prisoners of War Card indicated
that he was received at the Gratiot Street Military Prison
in St. Louis, Mo., on November 6, 1862.
According
to Civil War historian Bruce Nichols, the deal offered to
William Coppedge of taking the oath of allegiance,
enrollment in the militia and payment of a bond was
customary.
A personal story from “With Porter in North Missouri”
reveals the feelings of the Confederate Soldiers on this
deal:
“…The
office of the provost-marshall…was filled with the
personal bonds of Southern sympathizers – collateral
security for the observance of oaths of allegiance. This
was raided and every paper carried off. A few of the men
had the satisfaction of destroying their own bonds…
One man, J.T. Wallace, stated “I had the great pleasure
of securing my own personal bond for one thousand dollars,
as well as the iron-clad oath extorted from me when sick,
and of using it for gun wadding.”
The
following is a partial transcription of the Proceedings of
the Board of Officers, Case No. 93, in which Wm T. Coppedge
was charged with being a guerilla under Porter. A very
special thanks to Mr. James Rucker of Comanche, Texas for
sharing a piece of his Coppedge family history.
“Case No. 93} Proceedings of
a Board of officers, in the nature of a Military Commission,
to examine into the cause of arrest of all persons now
confined in the military prisons of St. Louis, and the
charges upon which they are now held, convened under Special
Order No. 32, Head Quarters St. Louis District of Mo., and
dated St. Louis, Oct. 30th, 1862, as follows:
Board:
Lieut.
Col. J. Hundhouser, 4th Inf. Mo. Vols.
Lieut.
Col. John F. Tyler, First M.S.M. Inf.
Major
George E. Leighton, Twelfth Cavalry, M.S.M.
…And
the Board having been duly organized, now on this 22
day of November, 1862,
was arraigned before the Board, William
T. Coppedge, Monroe Co, Mo. Charged with being
in army against the United States (and a) guerilla under
Porter in (Northern) Mo. and the prisoner pleads guilty
to the charge, and the Court proceeds to examination, and
they find him guilty as charged.
This
finding is based on evidence before the Board, as follows: a
(personal) examination of the prisoner before the board and
evidence on file in the officer of the (unknown Mo. Genl.)
of the Dept. And the Board do recommend that the said
Wm. T. Coppedge be held
until March 1st 1863 then released upon (oath)
and bond of $1,000.
Signed
(Note:
There are two versions of a standard statement form filled
with the prisoner’s answers – noted in
blue. Compare the different answers given in these
statements taken over one week apart.)
Office
of the Provost Marshal General
Department
of the Missouri
St
Louis, Mo. Dec 27 1862
Wm.
T. Coppedge: 37: -
Monroe Co – Out with Porter; never out before; Gave myself
(unknown) the (2 o’clock) or there abouts: never took the
oath of allegiance.
I prefer going home & (unknown) enroll & give bond.
I do not think I could make a living by going out of the
state. I might if I could first be permitted to go home and
sell out.
Sworn
to before (Unknown signatures)
Examination of Wm. T. Coppedge
of
Monroe County
19
Jan 1863:
STATEMENT
of W.T. Coppedge, a Prisoner at
the Gratiot St. Prison, St.
Louis, made the 19th
day of January 1863.
My
age is 37 years old.
I
live in Monroe County,
Missouri.
I
was born in Boone County, Mo.
I
was captured in Paris, Monroe
County Mo – surrendered on or
about the 2d day of Oct
1862
The
case of my capture was I suppose I was
arrested because I was in the southern service
I
was in arms against the United States, and was a private
in Capt Williams
Company, Porter’s band. I was
sworn into the Rebel service about the
(1st) day of Aug
1862 by Capt
Williams, I think in Monroe
County, Missouri, for one
(year)
When
captured, I was first taken to Paris,
Monroe Co and remained there two
or three days and was examined there by Maj.
Bailey and was sent to Macon
City Prison about the (6th)
of Oct 1862
where I remained about 6 weeks & was taken to Gratiot
St. Prison, St Louis, Mo
I
never took the oath of
allegiance to the United States
I
am willing to take the oath and enroll
W.T. Coppedge
The
Prisoner makes additional statements as follows, in answer
to questions:
1.
How many times have you been in arms during the rebellion? Once
2.
What commanders have you served under? Capt
Williams, (Porter)
3.
What battles or skirmishers have you been in? None (marked
through) Newark & Kirksville,
I held the horses
4.
Did you have arms, or were you out on picket, or what part
did you take in the action? I gave my
gun to a (unknown – rode) & held the horses of others
5.
Have you ever furnished arms, or ammunition, horse,
provisions, or any kind of supplies to any rebels? State
when, where and how often. I have
never furnished any
6.
Was there any rebel camp near you, that you did not give
notice of to the U.S. troops?
There
was a rebel camp about six miles from my house; but I
supposed it was generally known
7.
Have you ever been with any one taking or pressing horses,
arms or other property?
I
have not, except by the orders of my officers
8.
Are you enrolled in the E.M.M. – loyal or disloyal? I
am not enrolled. I consider myself unconditionally loyal
9.
Are you a southern sympathizer? I am
not
10.
Do you sincerely desire to have the southern people put down
in this war, and the authority of the U.S. Government over
them restored? I do
11.
Have many slaves have you? none
12.
Have you a wife – how many children? wife
& 5 children
13.
What is your occupation? Farming
14.
What relatives have you in the rebellion? I
have 3 brothers and 3 brothers in law in prison here – is
all I know of
15.
Have you ever been in any Rebel camp? If so,
whose-when-where-and how long? What did you do? Did you
leave it, or were you captured in it? except
while with Porter none – I am willing to take (an oath),
enroll in Militia of my own County & sign bonds
W.T. Coppedge
What
impression does the prisoner make - (rather)
favorable
truthful
or not truthful - generally
candid
or not candid -
mild-firm-severe
-
ill
looking-vigorous -
healthy-weak
or sick.
I
recommend that he be allowed to
enroll, take oath & sign bonds
(unsigned)
Examination of Wm. T. Coppedge
of
Monroe County
28
Jan 1863:
STATEMENT
of W.T. Coppedge, a Prisoner at
the Gratiot St. Prison, St.
Louis, made the 28th
day of January 1863
My
age is 37 years old
I
live in Monroe County, Missouri
I
was born in Boone County, Mo
I
(was captured – struck through and replaced with surrendered)
in Paris, Monroe County on or
about the 2d day of Oct
1862 to
Major (Bailey)
The
case of my Surrender was –
I had been with Porter – about 7 days - & left (him) 2
or 3 days after Kirksville Fight at the time he (disbanded)
– we (went) off in (Squads) – each squad (had) a leader
(to) look after us
I
was in arms against the United States, and was a private
in Williams Company, Porter’s
Regt. I was sworn into the Rebel service about the
10th day of Aug.
1862 by Williams
in Monroe County, Missouri, for
1 (year)
When
captured, I was first taken to Macon
City and remained there 4 or 5
weeks and was (not)
examined there… and was sent to Gratiot
Prison about the 15th
day of Nov 1862.
I
(never) took the oath of
allegiance to the United States
W.T. Coppedge
The
Prisoner makes additional statements as follows, in answer
to questions:
1.
How many times have you been in arms during the rebellion? Only
the once
2.
What commanders have you served under? Williams
& Porter
3.
What battles or skirmishers have you been in? Kirksville
& York
4.
Did you have arms, or were you out on picket, or what part
did you take in the action? I had
crippled one of my (horses) & was (away sick) with
(unknown)
5.
Have you ever furnished arms, or ammunition, horse,
provisions, or any kind of supplies to any rebels? State
when where and how often. I (had) my
own horse & (unknown) while out – I (had) a couple of
brothers in laws, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Williams & Mr. (Roynant)-
we squadded together & (unknown) at each others horses
as we happened to be near (them) till we surrendered
6.
Was there any rebel camp near you, that you did not five
notice of to the U.S. troops?
Brace’s
old camp – 61, that was notorious
7.
Have you ever been with any one taking or pressing horses,
arms or other property?
Though
it was done (in) my company I never had a (hand) in it
8.
Are you enrolled in the E.M.M. – loyal or disloyal? No
(Sir)
9.
Are you a southern sympathizer? I
can’t say that I am – I am not now
10.
Do you sincerely desire to have the southern people put down
in this war, and the authority of the U.S. Government over
them restored? I do – I (am at
peace)
11.
Have many slaves have you? I have none
12.
Have you a wife – how many children? I
have a wife & five children
13.
What is your occupation? Farmer
14.
What relatives have you in the rebellion? I
have had three brothers and their brother’s in law; but
they are all (arrested) & in (prison)
15.
Have you ever been in any Rebel camp? If so,
whose-when-where-and how long? What did you do? Did you
leave it, or were you captured in it? I
have never been in any camp but Porter’s
What
impression does the prisoner make –
truthful
or not truthful –
candid
or not candid –
mild-firm-severe
ill
looking-vigorous-
healthy-weak
or sick
He
seems truthful – firm – (large) & of a vigorous
constitution
I
recommend that he take the oath &
enroll; & give bond in the sum of $1000 - that he be
released
(Signed
by unknown)
Williams, Robt H.
Williams,
Wm T.
Coppedge,
Wm T. Citizens of Monroe County Mo
(Winant),
Saml. K.
Statement
of P. Williams of Paris, (Mo) in their cases
(handwritten
note: Allen – file as evidence)
PM.
Feb 19, 1863
Office of Asst. Pro. Mar.
Paris Mo Feb 18th /63
The
(unknown) contains statement of the cases of four men of
this county now prisoners. The statement is made by Philip
Williams a loyal citizen and an old and respectable citizen
of this place. Two of the men named are his nephews and
should you (unknown) proper to return them – they can make
substantial bonds of $2000 each.
The
other two could (not) find (good) families for (too) heavy a
bond. Could (unknown) well $1000 each.
These
men have been out with Porter, were never out before that
time & from letters I have seen from them expressed
themselves as very (punitive).
Wm. (McFleurath)
Lieut. Asst. Pro. Mar.
Monroe Co, Mo
To
(Lieut Asst) & Pro Mar (McFleurath)
At
Head Quarters Paris Monroe Co Mo
February
18th 1863
The
undersigned would respectfully state that Robert H.
Williams, (Wm. J) Williams, Wm. T. Coppedge and Samuel K.
Winant, citizens of Monroe County (and) now in the Military
Prisons, at St Louis, except Robert H. Williams, who is in
Allen (note: should read Alton) Prison, Ill. They have been
in Prison since some time in Sept last up to this (time) –
these men so far as I am advised (peaceable and) orderly
citizens up to the date of Order No. 19 requiring all the
able bodied men in this State to enroll in M.S. Militia.
This order was misrepresented by (Demogous) to men who did
not understand it, so as to alarm the best of citizens.
About the date of this (unknown) Porter (passed) through
this county – these men were (induced) to join him in that
Raid – remains from home some time and returned home some
time in Sept last. I heard of it, know their wives,
(advised) them to tell these men to come in and surrender
themselves to the Military authorities at Paris. Then they
did come home in Sept (last). None of these men as I am
informed are or were at any time, under oath or (bond)
before their (act) of Rebellion. In consequence of my advice
to them, I feel it my duty, so soon as the peace of the
state, would justify it to visit the Military authorities at
St. Louis, to process their release on terms.
Accordingly
their cases were presented to the to the military (com),
which (passed) judgment on them to remain in Prison til the
1st of March 1863, but the cases so far or I
(…unknown) them have not as yet been presented for
decision to the P.M. General, (either) to confirm or modify
the judgment of the (Com) which I now (unknown) should be
done for these men – I had strong hopes when I left St.
Louis on the 6th of December that they would have
been done long before this time, but in (consequence) of the
military (unknown) of business in that Department has done
been done up to this time.
These
men are now weary & (lives of enforcement) and are
anxious to be (released), up such (reasonable lives) as the
Military authorities may prescribe, they are willing to take
the oath, give bond and enroll in the state militia
(unknown) and in the future to be good and loyal citizens
(They so write me out of Prison).
These
men are all poor men with (small) families, wholly dependent
on them for support now (surrendered) by others.
The
(undersigned) would therefore on the behalf of these
suffering men, respectfully (ask) you as Provost Marshall
for Monroe Co. at the Head Quarters, upon this statement of
facts to recommend to the P.M. Genl at St. Louis the release
of these prisoners, upon (which) terms as you my consider
consistent with (… rest of letter missing)
Gratiot St
Prison
Saint Louis Mo
March 16th 1863
To
the Provost Marshall General, St Louis
Dear
Sir,
The
object of these lines I lay before you my situation and what
I wish to do.
I
have been in prison nearly six months absent from my family
who stand greatly in need of my assistance. They have no
other source of sustenance but my labor. My children are all
to small to aid their mother much. I desire sir to be with
them to release them of their wants. Therefore I do not wish
to be exchanged or sent south. I am very willing to take the
oath and comply with any law that exists.
I understood that the Provost of my county (Monroe) had
sometime since request my release.
Respectfully,
W.T. Coppedge |
