The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Red Legs at Lawrence
In Response To: Re: Red Legs at Lawrence ()

Hi Bruce, thanx for all the info on Gordon. At Centralia, Artificier James W Thomas, (Union) was one of those pulled off the train and shot down. John Callahan, his cousin and most probably neighbor in Buchanan County, MO, would have been riding with Thrailkill as one of his bushwhackers. Another example of the tragedy of family members against family members.

Oh, I mentioned in my original post that John Callahan was the nephew of James W Thomas. I erred, they were first cousins, both born in Jefferson County, TN so would have known each other from childhood.

John C was probably with Thornton and Thraillkill at the picnic in Camden Point, near Platte City, on July 13th when Union forces under Col Ford attacked them. Fords' Mountain Hogs pursued Thornton and his men, perhaps that's when John C was wounded nearly a week later.

I have copies of the microfiche Provost Marshall reports showing testimony of the doctor in Harrison County, MO. From the document, John Callahan was treated by Dr J. N. Lewis at the home of John C's uncle, Hugh Vanhoozer on Sunday July 24, 1864. The doctor's testimony says that John Callahan had told family that he'd been wounded the previous Tuesday (July 19, 1864) while riding with Thornton. After being wounded, John and other cousins rode to Harrison County, probably from Platte, to his uncle's home to get help. After this, John Callahan disappears for years. His uncle Hugh Vanhoozer, Thomas Callahan, J. P. Cooper (related by marriage) and another were arrested for harboring bushwhackers. John's dad, William Callahan of Buchanan County, posted $5000 bonds to release his brother and Hugh VH. Hugh, age 67, was banished from Missouri for the duration of the Civil War. He didnt' leave though, just went to live with family elsewhere.

Have to run, Paw Paw family connections at a later time.

Messages In This Thread

Red Legs at Lawrence
Re: Red Legs at Lawrence
Re: Red Legs at Lawrence
Re: Red Legs at Lawrence
Re: Red Legs at Lawrence
Re: Red Legs at Lawrence
Re: Red Legs at Lawrence