So Terry Justice and Bruce Nichols called the Iowa raider "Captain West." And John West. I've found a reference to Captain West in that regard, but not John. His first name was definitely Francis.

Note he's also referred to as "General West" in other reporting.

The Daily Missouri Democrat newspaper referred to him as Francis Marvin West. I'm thinking that's some transcription error on the middle name. I think my instinct that it was really Francis Marion West is correct, and have since found that is how it is stated in the Westliche Post and Daily Missouri Republican--reprinted in the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers ('Francis Marion' being a fairly common first and middle name in the 19th century honoring the Revolutionary War hero who was its originating source).

Regarding Captain/General West's men, one report states some of the men were recognized as being from Randolph County, Mo. making it perhaps the home of "Uncle Billy."