Story of Confederate Prisoner of War

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.  

                W.T. Coppedge 

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