Hello, Russell;

Thanks for the information concerning the planned construction of a monument to the "Wayne County 7" in Pocahontas, Arkansas in 2015. During the first six months of this year, I have been researching the May 28, 1865 incident and the events leading up to it. It was during this research that I unearthed the Captain Bostwick dispatch in the O.R., a dispatch that leaves a lot unsaid if you read between the lines (I'll discuss this more in a seperate message). I would like to comment on some of the information in this post. The account in the book of R. F. Cramer states that seven Confederates (all from Wayne County, Missouri) rode up to the St. Charles Hotel in May 1965 to surrender. By what I have been able to learn, there were 11 men in the Wayne County party; the Wayne County 7 and Joel Dennis, three men from Arkansas (unnamed) and a black man servant to Hugh McGee by the name of John (who had been owned by Blair McGee), making a total of 12 men in the party.

I agree with the number in the 7th Kansas detachment that participated in the affair as being 40 men. An analysis of the muster rolls of Company C, 7th Kansas Cavalry reveals that Company C at this time had 67 men stationed in Patterson (including 6 new recruits from Patterson). Making an allowance for men that would remain to man the Patterson garrison, those on sick call, etc., I estimated that the number in the pursuing Company C party at no more than 45.

Ellinghouse describes that the 10 murdered men were buried in a single trench, a mass grave dug by Joel Dennis. I find it highly inprobable that Joel Dennis dug the grave by himself, it would have taken quite some time to accomplish. The 7th Kansas were most likely under orders to complete the executions and dispose of the evidence before leaving the area. If the grave was a trench (which is probable), then it was most likely dug by the Company C detachment.

Ivan McKee in Lost Family/Lost Cause states that the McGee Family does not credit Joel Dennis as bringing back word of the massacre. The only person they credit is the man servant John, who was hiding out in some brush withing hearing and seeing distance.

Joel Dennis' involvement in the whole affair is a bit cloudy and hard to determine. Most accounts I have been able to find mention the "Masonic sign" story that saved his life; but what if it were a pre-arranged signal between Dennis and the leader of the Company C patrol ? If you go this route, you can surmise that Dennis was the Judas Goat that led the Wayne County 7 party into a trap.

I agree with McKee that William T. Leeper was the likely executioner. In fact, sifting through the information I have been able to locate, it is highly probable that he conceived and arranged the plan to eliminate the Wayne County 7. I do not believe that he accompanied Company C on the operation. I'll post my take on just why Leeper wanted these men elimated in another post, as this one is getting a little lengthy. I hope you can find the information in this post useful .............. Ed