Background
When Union troops took control of Confederate territory, the residents had to take a loyalty oath promising to uphold the U.S. Constitution and government. In return, they were allowed to keep their homes and land, travel, get protection from the U.S. Army, and receive rations and support from the U.S. government.
Loyalty oaths were most commonly required of former soldiers, but thousands of Confederate women took the oaths to protect their homes, families, and livelihoods. By the end of the war, these oaths came to symbolize the possibility of reconciliation.
Documents
Loyalty oath of Margaret Dunn of Missouri, County of St. Louis
Loyalty oath of Margaret Dunn of Missouri, County of St. Louis, September 23, 1862. Missouri Historical Society.
John Rogers, Taking the Oath and Drawing Rations, 1865. New-York Historical Society, Gift of Mr. Samuel V. Hoffman.
Document Text
County of St. Louis
Margaret Dunn
Ferd. Gothchalk, notary public
Summary Text
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