My First question involves the Goodspeed History of Laclede, Webster etc counties. In it, a Webster County killing is described:
"A young man named Stokes was captured while serving in the Confederate army, and was kept a prisoner at I.H. Cunningham’s house in Marshfield, until the soldiers, said to have been acquaintances, called him out, brought him west to the edge of the timber, and there killed him.” The author states that there were “a number of war murders, referred to in the military history. . .” I would be interesting in locating this unspecified “military history” to see if there are details included there about this incident. Can anyone direct me to a probable source for this story?
My second question involves a murder by bushwhackers that occurred after the war in 1867 in Webster county when Jasper Stokes was called out of his house and shot dead. This is a family story that, for many reasons, I believe is true, but I have been unable to find any record of it. Is there a likely place for this murder to have been recorded? There are no service records for Jasper but he did register for the draft in 1863 in Webster county.
My third question involves yet another murder. William Henry Stokes from Webster county was murdered by bushwhackers "somewhere on the White River" on Christmas eve in 1864. It was his daughters 7th birthday and it is said that she was pained by the memory every year of her long life. Again, I can find no record to confirm this death which may have occurred in Arkansas. At the time, William Henry Stokes was in Wood's Cavalry Co. B.which he had joined in Fulton County, Ark in July of 1863 for 3 years. Since he was enlisted, would there have been a military inquiry?
These men were the brothers of my GGgrandfather. Another brother Granville Stokes was arrested in Webster Co in May 1862 on charges of aiding rebellion and took the oath. But in Oct 1863 Granville joined the 6th provisional EMM and in May 1864 he joined the 72nd reg EMM co.M. I have read enough on this site to conclude confusion of loyalties was not uncommon, but it is still a puzzle.
Thanks for resource suggestions anyone can provide.