A recent discovery reveals that former slaves, who sought protection within the Federal lines at Cape Girardeau, were known to have comprised armed patrols who terrorized slave holders in the Jackson, Missouri vicinity generally leaving with those slaves who would accompany them. This in the first half of 1863. Another such instance being researched is of Federal soldiers accompanied by uniformed and armed (former slave) soldiers attempting to enlist other such slaves in the early months of 1864. If anyone researching Southeast Missouri can add to these accounts, please advise.