In describing Missouri Currency, Grove Criswell wrote in his book Confederate and Southern State Currency, "On October 21, 1861 C. F. Jackson, who had retired from Jefferson City into Southern Missouri, called an extra session of the state legislature to convene at Neosho, Newton County, Missouri. That legislature adjourned from day to day for want of a quorum until October 28, when it passed an act of secession, voted ten million dollars for defense and authorized the issuance of defense bonds for that amount."
"This act did not become a law until November 5, at which time the legislature had removed to Cassville, Barry County. Governor Jackson signed this bill in Cassville on November 5, 1861. This bill provided for three commissioners, any of whom might sign the defense bonds when issued." Several examples of these bonds are shown below.
General M. Jeff Thompson, Missouri State Guard, provides a description of the payment practices of the Missouri State Guard in his Civil War Reminiscences. Thompson is describing the winter of 1861, following the battles of Oak Hills (Wilson's Creek) and the Hemp Bales (Lexington). He writes:
The plan of settlement with my soldiers and the people of the Country that had certificates of indebtedness is well worthy of note, for it was found to work admirably, and the Quartermaster General, Commissary General and Paymaster of the State complemented the plan very much. I gave notice that every person who had a "piece of Scrip" as the certificates or evidences of debt were then called, should bring them in to New Madrid, and have a proper Certificate issued in place of them, that there would be no difficulty hereafter. From the entire want of funds, and also an absolute want of forms, paper and military requirements, every party large and small, companies, squads and single couriers had to give receipts for what they might receive, purchase or press and these things could never have been settled except by myself who fortunately knew every man, and every necessity for issuing these receipts. So when these papers were brought in, they were of every conceivable form and material from the backs of books and margins of newspapers to whole sheets of paper. All of these that had been signed by known agents or authorized persons such as quartermasters and commissaries were taken up at once, and numbered and filed, and a proper certificate issued of the same amount, with the number of the original indicated. And all that were not known to be proper, were submitted to me for approval or orders, and the plan worked so well that before we disbanded, nearly every piece of "Scrip" that had been issued was cancelled, and a proper printed certificate issued for it.
View an example of scrip by clicking here.
The text is given below:
No. 1
The State of Missouri
to JB McClure Dr.
For 1 sorrel horse valued at $100.00
I certify that the above account
is correct. Maj. Broadwell
will please pay the above
account and charge same
to account of
Thomas Monroe
Divis. quar. Master
II Military District
Missouri State Guard
This payment scrip is signed on the back by Mr. McClure as well as R. M. Stith, Quartermaster General of the Missouri State Guard. Maj. Broadwell was the agent in charge of disbursing the money that had been allocated to the Missouri troops by the Confederate States Government. This piece of scrip apparently escaped cancellation by General Thompson.
If you're considering starting a collection of these notes
then you need to know what to look out for.
Take a look here.
$20 Missouri note issued in 1862. This series contained denominations of $5, $10, and $20. These were also
engraved by A. Malus.
Remember, I'm always looking for Missouri-related items. If you have something you would like to sell or trade please contact me.
