1863: The Emancipation Proclamation and the First Black Regiment

President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 only freed slaves that were part of the Confederacy - thus his proclamation did not affect slaves in Missouri.

Despite this fact, many enslaved Black men and women continued to fight for their freedom. To read the story of one such enslaved person (Archer Alexander), click here (Documenting the American South).

The First Missouri Black Regiment was formed in St. Louis.

In June of 1863 the first Missouri Black regiment was formed in St. Louis. Over 300 Black men from the city enlisted (Missouri State Archive).

By the wars end, over 8,000 Black Missourians had fought in the Civil War (Missouri State Archive).

Post-War recovery was supported by Black veterans.

Not only did the First Regiment soldiers fight for their freedom, following the Civil War they returned to St. Louis and started The Lincoln Institute to provide education to Black Missourians (Missouri Digital Heritage).