Anthony,

William Garrett Piston mentions a free black man called Mark Mars serving in Capt.C. L. Lawrence's company of McRae's battalion on page 98 (line 7) of his book on Wilson's Creek. On the next page is an image of the Hempstead Rifles who I believe had a recruit called L. H. Marrs, which may be the reason for the confusion. Perhaps Bryan can confirm the status of Mark Mars.

The soldier with glasses in the Hempstead Rifles image is in the second row, just between the drummer and the fifer in the front row. It is hard to see in most of the reproduced images but I have a 2400 dpi scan which I have just sent you which clearly shows the dark glass and metal rims.

The is a soldier in the fourth row, four in from the right who has a very dark complexion; I wonder who he is.

Alan Thrower
England