John D Masterson is listed as Private Co C Gordon's Regt Cav. (5th Missouri Cav), enlisted a Lafayette MO August 16 1862 and remains with the reg throughs the rest of the war. This matches his biographical entry in the county history previously posted. Interestingly Jo Shelby is listed as the enlisting officer and no pay is listed until and 1864 entry. He is paroled at Shreveport in June 1865.

The following complaint was filed with the provost in Sedalia MO January 1862.

"J.B. Shrewberry, Sedalia, MO, a witness in
the case of John Masterson, having been duly sworn, testifies that a man, familiarly know in my section of the county as "Irish John" but who I am well convinced is John Masterson, met me on the road, took my horse from me, snapped one barrel of his gun and he confessed to having snapped two barrels at me with the intention of killing me. He confessed to killing a neighbor of mine, named Absolam Kitchens, also to have wounded Thomas Frost. He said (in reference to the killing of Kitchens) that he was sorry if he had killed a good man but he should have told his principles that Kitchens told him that he was a Union man. Sworn before me this 24th day of January 1862 Geo A Williams, Capt. 1st Infantry, Deputy Provost Marshall. Signed JB Shrewberry"

Following referral to military commission, the following entry is on the sleeve of the affidavit.
"Brig Gen'l January 27/62 The within is respectfully referred to the military Com for consideration. It came to this offices attention but I am informed that the person referred to has been arrested by 7th ------ He can be rearrested. Bemarrel, Farris G. the military commission orders that John Masterson be re-arrested. Rich.D.Felts Col. USA Judg Adv"

Further a Special order no 24 was issued out of St. Louis Oct 1862 for his arrest for failing to appear for examination.

FWIW but it appears to me that he was doing a bit of local bushwacking before enlisting legitimately because the heat was on.

John R