The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Oath-Voting-Execution Question

The reason I ask about the ‘availability’ of oaths has to do with DS Washburn who was executed at Huntsville.

Items in DS Washburn’s Compiled Service Record:
On March 8th, 1862, a receipt was made out to DS Washburn in regard to a $1000 bond he provided on the condition that he faithfully performs the obligations of his oath. This receipt was a handwritten document with spaces initially left blank for the bond-givers name. (I suppose an early method of ‘pre-printed’ forms so ‘copies’ could be kept). The actual oath was not in the records.

There is a September 13, 1863 document from the Confiscated and Contraband Property Dept of MO that states that DS Washburn signed an oath and gave bond on March 8, 1862. It further stated that Washburn was in a Rebel camp at ‘Sugar Camp’ on July 28, 1862. It also stated that it could be verified by the accompanying testimony. (Not in the file). There are no other indications of his violating his oath other than being in the Rebel camp. There were no reasons for him having to sign the oath and give bond.

According to Washburn’s compiled service record, he enlisted in Porter’s group (CSA) on July 27, 1862.

Execution Order from the Official Reports:
Charles King, Charles Tillotson, and D. S. Washburn, having once been in arms in rebellion against their lawful Government, and having been pardoned for that offense and taken a solemn oath not again to take up arms against the United States, were afterward found in arms as members of a guerrilla band and taken prisoners, and, in accordance with the laws of war, will be shot at or near Huntsville, Mo., on Friday, the 26th instant [September, 1862 – ordered by General Merrill (USA)]

There appears to be no record of Washburn being in prior service (State Guard?), although that is not truly known. There is no date of his capture.

So the questions are:
Why would Washburn have signed an oath and given bond in March of 1862 – was he in prior service, captured and paroled (which is indicated by the execution order)?
How would Merrill, who was in Macon County, know that Washburn had signed an oath in Knox County?

(After Washburn was executed, his $1000 bond was revoked and kept by the Government)

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Oath-Voting-Execution Question
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Re: Washburn Executed Huntsville 26 Sep 62
Re: Washburn Executed Huntsville 26 Sep 62
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Re: Oath-Voting-Execution Question