Appears that Michael S. Barnhart, Rufus Holmes,and Jonas Myers (Meirs)were members of Daniel McGee's (of Mingo Swamp Massacre fame)group known as 2nd Battalion, Missouri Cavalry State Guard (1st Division). Holmes and Meirs were NCO's (Sgt & Cprl).

Holmes and Raney(Ramey in MO SOS files) were in the 16th Mo Vol Inf in Little Rock and Holmes eventually was transfered to Hindmans Escort.
George R. Smith appears to have in the 16th as well though he is listed a deserter from Camp Bragg in 1863. But shows up again in the NPS listing in 1865 in Little Rock.

Hugh McGee was 1st Corporal in the infamous Company C of the 2nd MO Cavalary and is listed as being captured at Bloomfield in March 1862. He has an oath of allegience on file as of Nov 1862 which I suspect is related to a parole. He enlisted at Lowndes MO.

I can't find anything at all on "Nick Taylor" specifically however two Taylors do fall out in my search. The first is Alvin Taylor (Hornersville MO), 2nd MO Cav, company D, who "deserted" from Mississippi in 1863. The second is Francis C. Taylor, Sgt, Co K/L 16th MO Vol Inf. nativity unkown.

None of these gents appear to have parole listings in the Union records. Certainly not from Little Rock or Shreveport LA. I suspect that they were "up to no good" and I can pretty easily imagine that Hugh McGee was well known to Leeper and Company. It could be these fellows are the 7 mentioned in the OR previously posted. There is an amazingly large number of NCO's in the bunch and I suspect none were "wilting violets". Thanks Jim for bringing this to our attention. I bet there's an interesting story behind it all.

John R.