United States, Civil War Investigations of Disloyal Activities - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What Is in the Collection?
The collection consists of case files of Army Judge Advocate Levi C. Turner, 1862-1866, and Provost Marshal and Special Agent Lafayette C. Baker, 1861-1865. The case files contain investigations of subversive (disloyal) activities during the Civil War. The files relate to arrest, parole, and release of both civilian and soldier suspects. The activities investigated included such things as giving aid to the Confederacy, resisting the draft, discouraging enlistments, blockade runners, and State prisoners held in Federal prisons. The records are from RG 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780-1917, and is National Archive Microfilm Publication M797. The index is courtesy of Fold3 (formerly Footnote).

Collection Content
The Federal government was concerned about subversive activities and began investigating them as early as 1842. Concern increased after the outbreak of the Civil War. Many persons suspected of engaging in treasonable or disloyal activities were arrested and imprisoned. In February 1862, the authority to make such arrests was transferred to the War Department.The records in this set are investigations by Army Judge Advocate Levi C. Turner, 1862-66, and by Provost Marshal and Special Agent Lafayette C. Baker, 1861-65. These records relate to investigations of subversive activities during the Civil War. This series of records is also known as the "Turner-Baker papers."

What Can This Collection Tell Me?
The index contains the following information:


 * Case File Group, Number, and Range
 * Name
 * Date
 * Place
 * Occupation
 * Fold3 (Footnote) ID
 * NARA Publication Number and Title
 * NARA Roll Number

How Do I Search the Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the person who served in the military.
 * The nicknames or alias names used by the soldier.
 * The approximate date of military service.
 * The residence of the soldier.

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I Can't Find Who I'm Looking For, What Now?

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Record Finder
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Citing This Collection
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Collection Citation: Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):