Note that the communique coincides with the lead up to the formation of the Provisional Enrolled Missouri Militia. The PEMM was formed by using picked men from the EMM who were selected based on their loyalty. When the EMM had been formed in July 1862, all civilian men had been required to enroll, which proved problematic (see an overview on both organizations here http://www.civilwarstlouis.com/militia/federalmilitia.htm#4. Enrolled Missouri Militia). The PEMM was formed to remedy these problems that were inherent in the EMM, and required the identifying of loyal men.

Also note several things--the Douglass communique is not calling into question the loyalty of the captains of the companies---quite the contrary--"the Captains of all of them enrolled as loyal")--but is calling into question the prior loyalty of some of the rank and file--"a considerable portion of the men in each of their companies were regarded at one time as Disloyal." Since everybody and their dog was required to enroll into the EMM, the commanding officers of the EMM companies had no say in who ended up in their commands. The commanding officers of the PEMM did, however, have a say who ended up in their companies and Colonel Joseph B. Douglass of the 61st EMM, who was placed in command of the 1st PEMM, appears to have utilized this communique toward that end to weed out the rank and file considered to be disloyal.

The use of a primary source does move us forward in this discussion--Steven, you say you obtained this item from "the records of the Adjutant General." That's pretty broad--Can you give us a specific citation (repository, box, folder....)? Thanks for adding to the discussion.