Both the Union and Confederacy employed the use of scouts and spies throughout the Civil War to gather war intelligence. Many spies were civilians who were able to immerse themselves within enemy encampments and gather valuable information; such as, the location and movement of enemy regiments and their strength in numbers. This collection focuses on Union intelligence efforts during the war, and the employment of women, African American and Native American spies.

The 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry was one of the earliest African-American regiments organized during the Civil War. This regimental order book documents correspondences, general orders and special orders between 1863 and 1864. During this period the 1st Kansas Colored was stationed in southeastern Kansas, southwestern Missouri, western Arkansas, and Indian Territory, Oklahoma.

In October 1862, Soldiers from the regiment engaged Rebel troops at the Battle of Island Mound in Bates County, MO. This skirmish earned them the distinction of the first African-American troops from a northern state to see action as soldiers. The 1st Kansas Colored became seasoned veterans by the end of the war, participating in several battles and engagements. On December 13, 1864, the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry was re-designated as the 79th U.S. Colored Troops.