That's a great story! My John Williams and family only came to Miller County in the late 1850's. In the 1850 census they were still in Graves County, Kentucky. I wonder if there was a similar send-off for the Civil War Missouri State Guard in 1861 or if the area was too divided. I have not read A History of Miller County. Perhaps I will. I see there is a copy near me at the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston. I have not been there. They charge $20 admission.

By the way, I just saw several of your your FaceBook posts on the Miller County Historical Society page. I am gathering information for a presentation tentatively scheduled for the Williams Cemetery meeting next Memorial Day. The meetings are usually at the MCHS. The topic will be John Williams and his Civil War service. One year ago I made a presentation about John Williams' son Wade at the Civil War Battle of Franklin. It was well received. I had Wade's CW Service Records to work from.