Mr. Nichols, first let thank you for the wealth of information you provided, and any more thoughts and ideas are depply appreciated. I will move forward withthe information you presented
to fill in some gaps you may already know-John A Burgess' brother Garland, a preacher in Johnson County, married Henrietta McCown, and William McCown "Mack" Burgess was their son. He was a private in Quantrill's Guerillas, and after the war was ambushed and killed, probably out of revenge.
As presented by Mr. Michael Burgess, www.millefluers.tv
Somewhere there is a record of testimony regarding the activities of the Missouri militia during this time, and some of it is excerpted in Mr. Burgess' book. The header on the excerpt reads :

Headquarters Detachment, 1st Iowa Cavaley
Warrensburg, Mo., 17 April 1862

Testimony as to cause and maner of death of Jas. A Turley; burning of house, furniture,etc., of Col. McCowan and Mrs. Brinker; Shooting of Mr. Burgess & his brother and burining of their dwelling;and killing of Piper & burning of houses of Oliphant, Doak, Thompson, and Janes

any leads as to ther whereabouts of the source material is appreciated

thanks again
Dave Burgess