The Military Record of Major James S. Wilson JULY 2005

1854 The passage of the Kansas Nebraska Act sows the seeds of civil

war on the Missouri Kansas border. In 1854 and 1855 several

thousand pro slavery Missourians will cross into Kansas to

illegally participate in the Kansas elections. Missourians will loot

the U.S. Arsenal at Liberty for arms, and John Brown will appear

on the scene, before 1860. Murderous clashes of small groups will

occur through the late 1850's.

1860- 1861 The Missouri State Militia is the only formal military force in

Missouri. Men on both sides of the secession question join mixed

units, to get training for the coming war.

Aug 1860 Missouri, elects Clairborn Jackson governor. Unknown to the

general population, he favors secession.

Oct 1860 James wife, Margaret, furious with him, has taken their

two sons, Henry, and Oscar, and is home in

Strasburg, Virginia. James whereabouts is not known.

They will not meet again. 1860 Census C. Peterson says the

breakup is over "a difference in political sentiments"

James and family were not at home in Lincoln county when

the census was taken in June.

James is reported to be melancholic the rest of his life over the

breakup. James father is also furious. James's four

brothers-in-law, all enlist in the rebel army. His father in law

will be put in a Union prison as a bushwhacker. Even his wife's

grandfather serves in the rebel army in Virginia. James is

cut off from all family ties, except for his sister Sophia Wilson

Rinaman, who lives on a farm adjoining his home place. James

relationship with his older brother Stephen, who is living in

Washington, D.C., is unknown.

5 Jan 1861 The Missouri Senate introduces bills to arm the militia, and call

a state convention.

18 Feb 1861 People in Missouri vote against secession, by a margin of 80,000

votes. The bill to arm the militia dies. Blair has been converting

his German "Wide Awake" organization to armed Home Guards.

He buys arms with eastern money.

4 Mar 1861 Delegates are elected to consider "Missouri's relationship to the

Union".

9 Mar 1861 Their meeting results in a finding "that at that time there

was no reason for Missouri to leave the Union".

March 1861 Captain Lyon and a company of regulars from Kansas

arrive in St Louis. South Carolina secedes from the Union.

Missouri's Governor Clairborne Jackson establishes a State

Guard Brigade in each congressional district,

under Br Generals. He tells the North and South to

"Stay out of Missouri and leave us alone." Captain Lyon

and Frank Blair create the "Home Guard" of strong Union men.

It's strength came from the Germans, who in the political

campaign had been called "Wide Awakes".

Mar Apr 1861 During this period, it is believed that James is training

at Ninevah, now Olney, 7 miles NW of home, with a

group of Union men, in a Home Guard unit. C. Peterson says that

James "took an active part in establishing law and order in his

vicinity and at once enlisted with other Unionists in a local

company for home protection.

His brother John is training with the rebels at

Millwood, in a State Guard unit, 4 miles NNE of home.

He shares a muzzle loading, percussion cap musket, and a

bed, with his brother during training. (Family tales)

This Home Guard Unit may have been associated with Warren

County, rather than Lincoln County, as they were primarily

Germans and are believed to have been the earliest Home Guard

units in the area.

12 Apr 1861 The Civil War begins at Fort Sumter, South Carolina.

15 Apr 1861 President Lincoln asks for four regiments of three month

volunteers for Missouri.

17 Apr 1861 Gov. Clairborne Jackson refuses to supply the men.

Instead he has the U.S. Arsenal in Clay County broken into,

and the arms distributed to local State Guard units.

He asks Jefferson Davis for cannon so he can capture the

arsenal at St Louis.

22 Apr 1861 2,000 Union men muster in at Missouri arsenals. Gov Jackson

orders the State Guard into summer encampments.

May 1861 Governor Jackson meets with Captain Lyon, of the federal

army in St Louis. Captain Lyon orders the State Guard units

disbanded, or Federal troops will drive them off Missouri soil.

Jackson refuses.

3 May 1861 800 State Guards report to Camp Jackson, near St Louis.

Cannon supplied by Jefferson Davis have arrived.

7 May 1861 4,500 Union men have mustered in at St Louis.

10 May 1861 Captain Lyons of Kansas, replaces Gen Harney as commander

of the Union forces in St Louis. Capt Lyons orders Gen. Frost's

State Guard command in St Louis taken. Camp Jackson, a State

Guard training camp at Lindell's Grove near St Louis

is attacked by Captain Lyons of the U.S. Arsenal

in St Louis with 3,000 troops. They surround the camp and it

surrenders without a shot.. The militia are captured, but a riot

breaks out with southern sympathizers, 28 people

are killed in what was called "The Battle of St Louis",

and the civil war begins in Mo. The state legislature authorizes

the formation of the pro south Missouri State Guard. Lincoln

and Warren counties are in the 2nd Division of the Missouri

State Guard.

11 May 1861 James S. Wilson enlists for three months, as a Private in

one of the three month militias, Home Guards, serving the Union.

Five regiments of St Louis citizens are mustered into

the Reserve Corp (3 month) on the 7th, 8th and 11th of May.

The 5th Regiment, men mustered on the 11th. These units had

been St Louis Home Guard units. James location for this time

period is not known. If he was in St Louis he could have been

one of the 5th Regiment men. The 5th regiment mustered

out on 31 Aug 1862.

James probably joined the Pike Co. Home Guard Unit, which

formed May-July, went into service in July, and disbanded

on 1 Sept. There were eight garrisons of this unit including

one at Auburn, in Lincoln County. They covered Pike, Lincoln,

and Montgomery Counties. Large units were at Louisiana,

Bowling Green, and Ashley. Ashley is just north of the Northwest

corner of Lincoln County, in Pike County.

He is not however, listed on the muster rolls of this unit. Pike

County was considered one of the most reliable Federal enclaves

in the state. James Broadhead, from Pike Co. was on the St Louis

Committee of Safety, which ran the war in Missouri, for the

Federals, for the first six months of 1861, and organized and

armed the Home Guard.

Bayles Independent Company of Infantry was also organized in

St Louis on 11 May 1861. It was used to guard the lines of

communication between Rolla and Springfield. The unit

mustered out August 11 1861. It can not be ruled out that James

enlisted in this unit. The records of Bayles Co. and the Fifth

Regiment of Reserves have been checked for a James S. Wilson,

without result. He may have enlisted as just James Wilson.

28 May 1861 James is 27 years old. Federal Calvary from Illinois, Iowa, and

Wisconsin have been rushed into Missouri to occupy the county

seats, and help the newly formed Missouri Militia.

11 June 1861 General Lyon, recently promoted from Captain, accompanied by

Frank Blair, tells Gov Jackson and Gen Price to their faces,

that he will move federal troops about Missouri as he pleases. He

receives approval to arm 5,000 Union men as Home Guards.

Governor Jackson proposes to disarm the State Guard, if the

Federals will disarm the Home Guard. General Lyon refuses.

12 June 1861 Gov Jackson calls out the Missouri State Guard and asks for

50,000 volunteers. Jackson and Price head for Arkansas,

and the Legislature scatters. Lt John Q. Burbridge, of the

Louisiana Home Guard absconded in broad daylight with what

few rifles the Home Guard had and moved down into Lincoln

County.

15 June 1861 Lt Burbridge is at Millwood recruiting men. He then moves

on to Louisville. About 500 men join him, and they all move

on to Jefferson City. The men are formed into the 2nd

Missouri Infantry. John Wilson will join this unit 9 Dec. 1861

at Sac River, St Louis County.

21 June 1861 Brig General Harris of the 2nd Division of the Missouri State

Guard starts in Paris, Mo. then moves to the Salt River Knobs,

organizing his rebs. He picks up 300 and moves out.

3 July 1861 Mj. Gen J. C. Fremont is given the command of Union Forces

in Mo. by Lincoln.

5 July 1861 The battle of Carthage, Missouri occurs. 4000 State Guards take

on 1,000 Union men. None of our relatives are likely to have

been present.

20 July 1861 The state convention which had considered the question of

Missouri's relation to the Union reconvenes, and declares the

Governors and Lt Governors offices vacant, and abolishes the

legislature. It appoints a governor and sets itself up as a

provisional government. A oath of allegiance is required

of all officials and voters.

30 Aug 1861 Mj. Gen Fremont issues a unauthorized emancipation

proclamation , freeing Mo. slaves, declaring martial law, and

confiscating the property of southern sympathizers.

Sept 1861 The Pike County Home Guard disbands.

13-20 Sept 1861 Battle of Lexington, Missouri. Apparently the first real fight

for the rebs from Lincoln and Warren Counties, Mo. 12,000

Missouri State Guards, take on 3,500 Union troops. John Wilson

and William Colwell are probably there.

23 Sept 1861 James Wilson enlists in a three month militia unit in

Mexico, Mo. His rank may have been 1st Sgt.

He may have gone into Fagg's Regt. of Six Month's Militia,

a Pike Co. unit. This unit musters out after just 5 months of

service, in Feb 1862.

Oct 1861 James first meets Col Frederick Morsey, of Warrenton, a man

he will serve under during the first part of the war.

31 Oct 1861 Gov Jackson calls the remnants of the legislator into session in

Neosho to pass a ordinance of secession. A quorum is not

present, but the ordinance is passed anyway.

2 Nov 1861 Lincoln rescinds Fremont's orders and replaces Fremont

with Gen Grant.

28 Nov 1861 Missouri is accepted as the 12th Confederate State.

23 Dec 1861 James Wilson musters in as a private in Capt. Wommack's

Mounted Mo. State Militia, at Troy, Mo.

He will be paid 40 cents a day, for his

service and his horse. He is described as just under six foot,

with gray eyes and a dark complexion. This unit is

headquartered at Warrenton, Warren Co. Mo. He will initially

be put in Co B. This unit is known for a short time as

Col Morsey's Mounted Rifles. It will later be reorganized

as Co G, 10th Missouri State Militia Cavalry.

Record 2039, 3rd Mo S.M. Cav. (2nd org).

There is a second official Record, 1450,

of the 3rd Regt S.M. Vols. Co. G, that says James

was enlisted on this date by Capt Rush at Millwood. He is

mustered in on the same date at Mexico, Mo. I believe that the

men Capt Rush recruited were turned over to Capt Womack,

resulting in the double record. A total of 10 Czechs (Bohemians)

from Lincoln County also enlist and will serve in Co. G. Two

more will enlist later. Major Wilson will later say "If you want a

good guard and a good soldier, try to get a Czech". From "The

Life of the first Czechs in Troy, Missouri."

1 Jan 1862 Company G has marched from Troy to Mexico, Mo. where they

will be stationed. Some contract measles and pneumonia. They

begin training.

10 Jan 1862 The muster in roll of Capt John M. Reeds, Co G, 10th MSM,

at Troy, shows James Wilson as private. Officers are being

elected, and Capt Reed, becomes Lt Reed. Richard Wommack

is Captain. Their station will be Mexico, Mo.

15 Feb 1862 James Wilson is promoted to First Sergeant, of Co B. Co B will

immediately become Co G. Personnel horses are valued from

$20 to $85. James has a good one, valued at $80. His service

term is for the period of the war. The unit is at Warrenton. Units

of the 5th Mo. Cav. is also stationed there. Within a few weeks

James is sent to Pike Co. to recruit union men for new companies

which are being formed. He will recruit the men that will

eventually form Co C of the 3rd MSM on this mission.

2 Mar 1862 Co G is stationed at New Salem, Mo.

2-15 Mar 1862 Squads from Co G are operating in Lincoln Co.

9 Mar 1862 Troy is occupied by 400 rebels.

10 Mar 1862 Federal troops are on the way to Troy from Warrenton

and St Charles.

Apr 1862 Gen. Scholfield has recruited 14,000 Union men into

the Missouri State Militia.

24 Apr 1862 Capt Wommack resigns as Captain of Company G.

Apr. – June Co G is at Warrenton.

5 May 1862 The 10th Calvary is organized at Louisiana, Pike County,

Missouri. There are 5 companies recruited at Louisiana, and 3

recruited by Lt Col Morsey at Warrenton. James is in one of

the Warrenton Companies. The Regiment is commanded by Col

Edwin Smart, and has 740 men. James Wilson is awarded

the Captains Commission in Company G of

the 10th Regiment, Mo. State Militia, Calvary,

when the unit is being organized.

He was elected to the post by the men of the unit.

The date is reported as 3 May, in some records.

The 10th Regiment will later become the 3rd Regiment.

The unit is in Warrenton, from April till June,

and continues training, in instruction camp, "Camp Alice".

8 May 1862 General Orders No. 18: The 10th Regiment of Cavalry,

including Company G, Capt. James Wilson, are "ordered to be

perfected."

30 June 1862 Lt Reed is now serving under Captain James Wilson.

Jun/Jul 1862 Co G is patrolling the North Mo. RR in Montgomery Co.

13 July 1862 Porter's rebels capture Memphis, in Scotland County,

on the Iowa border. All Union troops in the Northeastern

district are put in the field.

20 July 1862 Companies E, G, and H break up a recruiting camp

at Danville, Montgomery, County. Co G is later stationed in

Wellsville, Mo.

22 July 1862 General Order # 19, orders all able bodied men subject to

military service are to report for Union service. The random

seizure of guns from the general population is ordered.

27/28 July 1862 Porter's rebel forces are moving from Boone Co. to the NE.

28 July 1862 Porter's forces are attacked at Moore's Mill. Some units of the

10th MSM including Co G are in the fight.

30 July 1862 Co G and other units of the 10th MSM Cav. under Lt Col Morsey

leave Warrenton for Paris, Mo. to deal with Porters raid.

Two Companies of Col Smarts regiment are garrisoning

Clarksville. These appear to have been Companies A and B.

1 Aug 1862 Co's C,D,E,F,G, and I of Col Smarts Brigade arrive in Paris.

2 Aug 1862 The regiment moves on to Newark.

3 Aug 1862 Lt Col Morsey's force, including Co G, of the 10th Calvary MSM,

is ordered to Schuyler and Scotland Counties, north of

Kirksville to outflank Porter.

4 Aug 1862 Elements of the 10th MSM including Co G, skirmish with

Porter's forces at Edina.

5 Aug 1862 The 10th MSM makes a forced march to Memphis, where they

skirmish with the rebels.

6 Aug 1862 4 a.m. The 10th MSM heads for Kirksville.

6 Aug 1862 McNeill's Union forces attack Porter's rebel forces occupying

the town of Kirksville. They eventually rout the enemy.

6 Aug 1862 11 a.m. Lt Col Morsey brings Co G, and other forces to

Kirksville. Co D, and Co I, [The Red Rovers] get into the fight.

12 Aug 1862 The force catches Porter's forces on the Chariton river and

routs them again. General Order # 9 is issued, allowing

Union forces in the field to take subsistence supplies

from the rebel population.

16 Aug 1862 Regimental Headquarters for the 10th MSM Cav are established

at Mexico, Mo.

17 Aug 1862 The 10th MSM Cavalry, and the Enrolled Militia, and part

of the 3rd Iowa Cavalry, are made responsible

for Callaway, Audrain, Pike, and Montgomery County.

Sept 1862 Co G, and other units are operating in Monroe Co.

14 Sept 1862 All State Guard units operating in the state of Missouri are

turned over to the Confederate Army.

4 Oct 1862 A patrol led by Capt Wilson is ambushed, in Monroe Co., two

horses are killed. Captain Wilson orders an attack routing the

rebels. The units headquarters are at Florida, Mo.

6 Oct 1862 Major R. G. Woodson, of the 10th MSM, attempts to resign.

James will serve with him through many trials.

16 Oct 1862 Elements of the 10th MSM under Mj. Woodson attack 150 rebels

on Auxvasse Creek in Calloway Co.

31 Oct 1862 Capt Wilson present for duty.

Oct/Nov 1862 Capt Wilson and Co G are stationed at Paris, Mo., Monroe Co.

The headquarters units are also at Paris.

Nov 1862 Col Smarts men capture three rebels and shoot them.

20 Nov 1862 Nine companies of the 10th MSM Cav., Col Edwin Smart,

Commanding, are stationed at Paris, Mo.

Fall 1862 The men of the 10th MSM Cavalry, stationed at Mexico are

having trouble with snipers picking off the men assigned to

outposts. There is a lot of disease in camp. A lot of men desert.

12 Dec 1862 The Regiment leaves Mexico, Mo, and heads for Rolla, Mo.

by way of Jefferson City.

21 Dec 1862 The Regiment and Co G have arrived at Rolla, Mo.

25 Dec 1862 The Regiment moves out for Pilot Knob, Mo.

29 Dec 1862 The Regiment and Co G arrive at Pilot Knob, Mo.

They establish winter quarters.

31 Dec 1862 Capt Wilson present for duty.

The Union has 52,056 men under arms in Missouri, in

69 Regiments, 3 Battalions, and 58 Independent Companies.

2 Feb 1863 The 10th Mo State Militia Calvary are combined with the 3rd

Mo. State Militia [Old] and other units. The new unit is called the

3rd Mo. State Militia Calvary[New]. Co G is at Ironton, Mo.

5 Mar 1863 The Regiment moves to Patterson, Mo.

9 Mar 1863 Capt Wilson is at Pilot Knob. He has been recommended

to serve on a General Court Martial Board in St Louis.

Spring 1863 James is called as a witness at Captain Leeper's court martial,

in St Louis.

25 Mar/2 Apr Co G, led by Capt Wilson, and Co H are on a scout into Ark.

28 Mar 1863 Co G and H disperses a rebel camp at Buck Skull, Ark.

30 Mar 1863 Co G and H return to Patterson Mo.

Apr 1863 Marmaduke invades from Arkansas, for the second time.

Co G and other units are stationed at Patterson, Mo.

20 Apr 1863 Marmaduke and 3,000 rebels attack Patterson, at noon.

Maj. Woodson, commanding, Co B, and Co G, 3rd MSM,

is told to blunt the attack so the rest of the regiment

can organize a retreat. Co G is led by Capt Wilson.

Their force totals about 100 men. The attack is successfully

delayed, and the retreat begins, with 450 union men

from Co E and I, forming a rear guard, fighting off

the rebels. They have "five shooter" carbines, which evens

up the odds. In a running battle which lasts several

hours, they are flanked and encircled three times. The Union

troops cut their way out each time. This action causes the

regiment to be labeled "notorious" for their fighting ability by the

rebels. The Union commander describes the fighting as

"fierce in the extreme". The Union troops burned all the

supplies they could not carry, and all 15 houses in Patterson as

they left. The fight has lasted till sundown.

21 Apr 1863 Co G is at Pilot Knob. The 3rd MSM is attached to

Gen Vandiver's Division.

22 Apr 1863 Co G is at Fredricktown. The force will attack Marmaduke's rear

near Jackson in a night attack. The force chases Marmaduke for

several days, until he is forced back into Arkansas at Chalk Bluff.

30 Apr 1863 Capt Wilson's regiment is stationed in Ironton.

1 May 1863 Marmaduke returns to Arkansas.

1 June 1863 Capt Wilson's regiment is stationed at Patterson.

8 June 1863 Capt James Wilson is recommended for promotion to Major.

20 June 1863 Capt Robert McElroy is offered the promotion to Major. He

declines it on this date. James is then offered it and he accepts.

Capt McElroy will name a son, James Wilson McElroy.

28 June 1863 Capt Wilson is stationed at Pilot Knob.

6 July 1863 James files for divorce from his wife Margaret. The grounds are

that she absented herself from him over two years ago. She is at

her father's home in Strasburg, Virginia, with their sons. Since

James joined the army in May 1861, his last meeting with her,

would have been earlier than that. He is ordered by the court to

publish notice that he is seeking a divorce in the Troy Tribune by

the court, so that Margaret can reply to the petition if she wishes.

p. 398, Book F, Sept 1859 –Jan 1864, Circuit court Record,

Lincoln County, Mo.

11 July 1863 Capt James Wilson is promoted to Major.

17 Aug 1863 Units from Pilot Knob raid into Arkansas. Lt Col Woodson

leads 600 men of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mo State Militia on the

raid. Major James Wilson commanding the 3rd..

22 Aug 1863 Br Gen M. Jeff Thompson, Col William Righter, and 100

enlisted men, C.S.A., are captured at a staff meeting in

Pocahontas, Ark. by Lt Col Woodson's units. Col Righter's

capture results in Capt Tim Reeves being promoted to Col,

commander of the 15th Mo Calvary C.S.A.

26 Aug 1863 Units from Pilot Knob return from raid on Pocahontas, Ark.

6 Sept 1863 Mj. James Wilson is stationed at Pilot Knob. At some point

he will hire a black man, Lewis Martin, as a valet, and begin

staying at one of the Pilot Knob Hotels. One was the Reid Hotel.

26 Sept 1863 The Circuit Court of Lincoln County, Mo finds that adequate

notice of James divorce petition, has been printed by the Troy

Tribune. The court indicates that if Margaret doesn't respond

by the next term of court and show cause to the contrary, the

divorce will be granted. p. 438, Book F, Sept 1859 – Jan 1864,

Circuit Court Records, Lincoln County, Mo.

29 Sept 1863 Mj. Wilson and Capt Leeper lead detachments of 200 and

150 men respectively from Pilot Knob, on separate raids to the

Arkansas border. Numerous watermills, and homes along the

Eleven Point River, and the colony at Irish Wilderness

will burn before the raid is over. The units involved

have not be identified. Captain Leeper's group will

skirmish with Col Tim Reeves.

30 Sept 1863 Mj. Wilson is at Centerville, Mo. He splits his forces,

sending Capt. Herring with 70 men on a alternate

route to Alton, Mo. where they will regroup.

1 Oct 1863 Mj. Wilson starts from Henpeck Creek. He sends 60 men

under Capt Milks on a third route to Alton, Mo.

2 Oct 1863 Starting from camp on the headwaters of Pike Creek,

Mj. Wilson proceeds to Falling Springs, where he detaches

Capt McFadden with 30 men on another route into Alton.

Mj. Wilson arrives at Alton. His group has captured 4

guerrillas.

3 Oct 1863 Three scouting groups are sent out from Alton.

5 Oct 1863 Mj. Wilson takes 140 men and starts for Arkansas.

7 Oct 1863 Mj. Wilson leads his men to Evening Shade,

Arkansas, and in a surprise attack captures 1 Captain,

3 Lieutenants, and 31 privates, with their horses and arms.

He destroys the camp. There are no Union casualties.

9 Oct 1863 Mj. Wilson leads his group back to Alton, Mo.

10 Oct 1863 Mj. Wilson files his action report from Alton, Mo.

11 Oct 1863 Mj. Wilson has the companies under his command stationed

at the following locations. Co A and L, Patterson, Co B

thru H, Pilot Knob, Co I, Fredricktown, Co K, occupying

post at Arcadia, Co M, Centerville.

18 Oct 1863 Mj. Wilson starts the men toward Pilot Knob.

After the Union troops leave, the Alton courthouse is burned.

One report states that a small group of Union troops fired the

courthouse, and perhaps a couple other buildings, after the

main group had moved on. Anticipating trouble the

courthouse records have been stored in a cave and are safe.

On 19 April 1867 three men will be indicted by Oregon County,

for burning the Alton courthouse, on 18 Oct 1863. They

appear to have been rebels.

20 Oct 1863 Having met reinforcements with provisions, Mj. Wilson returns

to Alton.

21 Oct 1863 Mj. Wilson sends prisoners and refugees back to Pilot Knob, then

leads the remainder of his men, 120 troops, to Thomasville Mo.

22 Oct 1863 There is a election scheduled in Alton.

Mj. Wilson looks unsuccessfully for the arsonists.

25 Oct 1863 There is an election scheduled for Doniphan. The Alton and

Doniphan elections were apparently for local and state officials.

Only loyal citizens were allowed to run for office, and to vote.

Candidates and voters were required to take "The Iron Clad

Oath" of allegiance to the Union. The troops were present to

ensure that happened. All wives of bushwhackers were to be

brought in, and told their husbands must surrender, or their

houses and stock will be destroyed, and the families

will be shipped downriver to Napoleon, Ark. and put in

prison. Ordered by Br Gen Clinton Fisk.

26 Oct 1863 Mj. Wilson brings his men back to Pilot Knob. The 28 day

scout resulted in the following rebel losses. Killed - 1 Capt., 4

men. Wounded - 2 men. Captured - 1 Capt, 3 Lts., 76 men,

70 horses, and equipment. Union losses – 1 man captured and

paroled – Joseph Shram Co. G., 1 wounded in left arm –

Martin D. Gray, 3rd Mo. St. M.

22 Dec 1863 Company C, 102 men of Mj. Wilson's command is captured at

Centerville, by rebels led by Capt Jessie Pratt, Co N,

of the 15th Mo Calvary Reg. C.S.A. Capt Pratt takes the

prisoners south to be turned over to Col Tim Reeves.

They burn the courthouse and jail before leaving.

23 Dec 1863 Mj. Wilson is given orders to "follow Reeves to hell" and at

least get the prisoners back.

10 am He takes 250 men and begins pursuing the rebels who captured

Co C.

9 pm He arrives at Patterson.

24 Dec 1863 Starting at daylight , he reaches Long's at 9 pm, having

covered 35 miles.

25 Dec 1863

3 am On the road toward Doniphan. Begins capturing

Reeves pickets. Forces the last one captured to lead him to

Reeves camp.

3 pm Mj. Wilson finds the rebels, at Pulliam's farm, about 17

miles SW of Doniphan, Mo. They are engaged in cutting up the

tents they had captured from Co C to make coats and pants.

Mj. Wilson forms his men into two battle lines. His orders were,

"Go in with a yell boys, and charge em like hell".

He charges with his whole force. The enemy fires,

then runs, with the exception of 35. These are killed or wounded.

The Union prisoners "knew what was up" and took cover.

Reeves had just ridden into camp, and immediately remounted and

escaped with about 30 others. The unmounted guerillas scatter

in all directions. Killed 33, wounded 2.

Total captured 150, including 13 officers, all equipage

and ammunition, and 125 horses. He frees the men

of Co C who were being held prisoner. Col Reeves had selected

seven of the prisoners, who had been on one of Captain Leeper's

raids, for execution. They were to be executed in retaliation for

the execution of an officer and 6 enlisted men by men of the 3rd

MSM. Union casualties are reported as 1 killed

and 8 wounded by the Asst Adj. General. These may be men of

Co C, because Mj. Wilson says his troops had no casualties.

The rebel commander Col Tim Reeves escapes. Battleground