Missouri Volunteer Militia

The Missouri Volunteer Militia (MVM) was the state militia organization of Missouri, before the formation of the Missouri State Guard in the American Civil War.

Prior to the Civil War, Missouri had an informal state militia that could be called up by the governor for emergencies or annual drill "in accordance with the Missouri State Statutes of 1854."[1]

Larger militia elements, such as brigades or the element employed in the November 1860 Southwest Expedition of James Montgomery, were composed of independent regularly drilling volunteer companies, such as the St. Louis Grays, the National Guards, and the Washington Blues. Each of these companies wore its own distinctive, and highly ornate, uniform. Antebellum esprit de corps was enhanced by drill competitions among the independent companies.[2]

  1. ^ Peterson, Richard C., McGhee, Kip A. Lindberg, and Keith I. Daleen. Sterling Price's Lieutenants: A Guide to the Officers and Organization of the Missouri State Guard, 1861-1865. Revised Edition. Shawnee Mission, Kans: Two Trails Pub, 2007, page 1, footnote 1.
  2. ^ Field, Ron, and Richard Hook. The Confederate Army 1861-65: Vol.6 Missouri, Kentucky & Maryland New York, Osprey Publishing, 2008, pp. 3-6. ISBN 9781846031885