Cass died alongside my gr-gr-uncle James W Thomas that day. James' official mustering out record shows he was killed by guerrillas on on September 27, 1864. I've seen a typo in another historic account which placed the massacre on September 24, 1864. This is just a typo. Even Sgt Thomas M Goodman's account shows Sept 27, 1864. Incidentally, James W and Cass are included on Sgt Goodman's list of the eight known casualties on page 66 in his "pamphlet" describing the event.
I am curious too as Sgt Goodman says that 27 soldiers were on the train, pulled off and shot, with him being the sole survivor, ie 26 then killed. He earlier mentions that he and 20 of his troops in Atlanta started out for St Joseph on furlough. Who could the other six troops be? The 17th Illinois perhaps? I believe the got on the train in St Louis.
I have a question for the forum as pension request by widow was mentioned for Cass? Where would one find this type of record as I didn't one in the records on James W Thomas that came from the archives in Washington. Could this mean that his widow didn't file for one, perhaps didn't even know what happened to him? Our family thought he was a "reb" so perhaps she never knew to file for one.
The records I have for James W include his personal inventory form when "mustered" out. It states None. Obviously, since the troops were stripped down to their underwear and all personal belongings stolen before they were shot. The record does show he received $19.86 worth of new uniform when he transferred to the First Missouri Engineers in Feb 1864. Actually, the 25th MO Vols were reorganized into the 1st Brigade, Missouri Engineers in Feb 64, with time credit backdated to Jan 1, 1864. That may be why James at least received new uniform, promoted to Artificier as well as being in a newly organized unit with new markings.
Another from shows he was still owed his bonus of $75 from 1862, plus some pay due. Is there anyway to find out if that were ever paid to his widow? His record shows, Owed, but no record of paid. Probably some quartermaster records elsewhere would have that recorded.
Also, would I be wasting my time if I try to get a headstone for my uncle at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery assuming at the moment that he is buried there as an "Unknown" in Area 45?