This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hMB.2ACI/920.1 Message Board Post: I have wondered the true meaning of this oath because I too have had an ancestor to be denied the right to vote because they failed to take the oath of loyalty, SO, I looked it up. Go to : www.civilwarstlouis.com/history/oathofloyalty.htm Hope this helps !!