The papers contain approximately 300 items. The bulk of the material is related to George Eliot Leighton’s service as provost marshal in St. Louis, 1861–1863. Also contained in the collection are seventeen items related to the founding of the Missouri Historical Society, 1866–1883. These latter items consist mainly of letters to James S. Butler and Elihu Shepard from other historical societies. In 1861, St. Louis and Missouri were torn by the storm of the Civil War. As with other border states, conflicting loyalties and ideals divided families and pitted neighbors against neighbors. In view of the suspected southern sympathies of the state government and the rabid anti-slavery loyalism of the German element and many St. Louis and Missouri residents of northern origin, martial law was declared in St. Louis on August 14, 1861, to maintain order. It was extended to the rest of Missouri by the federal government on August 30, 1861. The Military District of Missouri under a Provost Marshal General was divided into subdistricts with responsibility for maintaining law and order in each subdistrict given to the provost marshals. A pass system was instituted to control travel. Provost marshals had the power to arrest and detain secessionists. A United States Police Force, paid through the Provost Marshal’s office, was established in St. Louis. George E. Leighton, commissioned captain, was appointed as St. Louis’ Provost Marshal. The Provost Marshal papers contain material pertaining to the day-to-day operations of the office. Correspondence from and about prisoners, requests for passes, orders concerning prisoners and their disposition and transfers, payroll lists for the U.S. Police and ferry crossing guards, and lists of quartermaster supplies requisitioned for office operation make up the bulk of the material. The papers include letters and orders from Generals H.W. Halleck and B.G. Farrar, a letter from Secretary of State William H. Seward, and petitions from prisoners protesting the food served in the prison. An order delaying transport of military prisoners to the Alton Prison because of smallpox at Alton is also present. Also found is a list of U.S. government equipment in the prison at Myrtle and Fifth Streets in St. Louis. Very little personal, non-military material is included. Among the items relating to the formation of the Missouri Historical Society are a series of letters to James S. Butler replying to his requests for information, bylaws, etc., on forming a historical society. A particularly good example is the letter from Lyman S. Draper of the Wisconsin Historical Society to Butler. Several letters express regret at being unable to attend organization and “old settlers” meetings of the Missouri Historical Society in 1866. A leather-covered booklet subscription list for a “Museum Subscription” held in 1883 for a permanent building is present.