The War of 1812 and the Civil War - as told by Firmin A. Rozier
        During the war of 1812, Capt. Henry Dodge, afterwards Governor of Wisconsin, raised at Ste. Genevieve a company of riflemen for defense against Indian depredations.  A company called "The South Missouri Guards," with a roll of 115 men, commanded by Capt. Firmin Rozier [the one who wrote the speech from which this info comes], was organized August 23, 1846 [I do not understand this date, but that's what it says].  They recruited for service in California but owing to the lateness of the season, failing to cross the plains were stationed at Fort Leavenworth.  Capt. Thomas M. Horine, of Ste. Genevieve, during the Mexican War, raised a company of men; ordered to Santa Fe under Col. Sterling Price.  Col. Joe. Bogy, commissioned by Gov. Gamble at the opening of the Civil War in 1861, organized the militia of Ste. Genevieve County and other counties, of about one thousand men for protection of Southeast Missouri against contemplated invasion from Arkansas, and were in active service about one month.  Capt. Gustave St. Gem was commissioned captain of Missouri militia by Governor Gamble in 1861, and ordered by General Farrar to act as Provost Marshal of Ste. Genevieve County, in which capacity he was engaged, when, in September 1863, he organized Company K, of which he was commissioned captain, in the Forty-seventh regiment, Missouri Volunteers.  Col. Thomas C. Fletcher, commanding. [Thomas Fletcher was also the first governor of Jefferson County, his house still remains in Hillsboro.]  Capt. St. Gem, while in the volunteer service, was ordered by Gen. Rosecranz, commanding department of Missouri, to act as provost marshal of the Eighth sub-district of the St. Louis military where he remained on duty until April 8, 1865, and was succeeded by Lieutenant John O'Neil.  An illumination of the town of Ste. Genevieve was ordered by Provost-Marshal O'Neil April 12the, 1865.  The citizens of Ste. Genevieve, June 26, 1865, presented Lieut. O'Neil and Capt. S. Good each with a sword for their gallantry.  Lieut. Col. Felix St. James - a native and resident of the place - of Thirteenth regiment of Missouri infantry volunteers participated in the attack of Fort Donelson, and was fatally wounded at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6, 1862, and died shortly afterward, and his remains were removed to Ste. Genevieve....
        The town of Ste. Genevieve was surrounded by a military force during the night of the 13th of August, 1861, by a battallion of Zouaves, commanded by Maj. John McDonald, since notorious for his trial before United States courts.  After seizing the bank he took military possession of the town.  The next day he demanded of the president, Firmin A. Rozier, of the branch bank of Merchant's Bank of St. Louis, located here, the funds of the bank.  After some parley the president delivered to them under protest, and upon conditions to accompany the battalion to St. Louis on the steamer Hannibal.  The Major had come for the money, and kept his eye steadily on his gun, insisting on a peaceable surrender.  The money, a large amount, was taken on the steamer, having been on board Mr. Rozier, the Major and the battalion of Zouaves.  On arriving in St. Louis, Mr. Rozier called at headquarters to see Gen. Fremont, for an interview, who that day handed Major Howe an  order to be delivered to Mr. Rozier for the funds of the bank, which was deposited with Col. Robert Campbell, president of the Merchant's Bank.

More on the Civil War
Now for sale: "Boys of the Best Families in the State" - Company E 2nd Missouri Cavalry by Bob Schmidt.  For more information, please see the "more resources" section of the site.
    MISSOURI FORMALLY ADMITTED IN THE CONFEDERACY NOVEMBER 28TH 1861
        During the early months of the War for Southern Independence, the Confederate States of America continually looked to increase the borders of their young nation. They talked with border state representatives who were interested in joining their confederacy.
        In the summer of 1861 there were legislators and politicians who were extremely interested in having Missouri join their southern nation.  Military leaders were also working heartily in getting a majority of the state into the Confederate States of America.
        After months of pressing the effort and fighting the northerners within their boundaries, there is enough movement to bring their state into the new nation. The Provisional Congress at Richmond, Virginia, formally joves to admit the state of Missouri in to the Confederate States of America.¹⁰

        The Civil War veteran's union of Ste. Genevieve was the J. Felix St. James GAR Post #326 (1887-1925).  It was located on the corner of Third and Market St (I have yet to figure out which of the four corners) and Leon Jokerst was the proprietor.  It was named after Lt. Col. Joseph Felix St. James (also mentioned above by F. Rozier) who was in the 13th Missouri Infantry and died of wounds received at Shiloh on April 8, 1862.  The post closed in August of 1925, even with three members remaining.  Below is the roster of the post, taken from a book (I'll find the book info soon!!!)
        When slavery was abolished in 1865, Missouri was the first state to emancipate its slaves (prior to the adoption of the 13th amendment).