Sheila--Are you certain your Mt. Vernon is the one located in Lawrence County, Missouri? There was also a town by that name in Moniteau County, Missouri, at the confluence of Petite Saline Creek and the Missouri River. Federal troops rode in during 1862 and burned the town to the ground because "it looked like a good place" for the Secesh to stay after crossing the river from Boone County on their way south. The townspeople were warned and had fled before the Yankees arrived. The Yankees were able to notch their guns for four kills along the road in Moniteau County leading to Mt. Vernon. They rode up upon four farmers, who were shot by them. The "Official Records" notes that one had a shotgun and another a knife. This Mt. Vernon was never rebuilt. If your ggggrandfather were from this Mt. Vernon, his reasons for fighting for Southern Independence are abundantly clear. Good luck with your quest. John Kay