Just a note on George Hendley, interesting find in Citizens PM file here
https://www.fold3.com/image/286872216/hendley-george-w-page-5-us-union-citizens-file-1861-1865
He went on to own the newspaper in Richmond after the war.

Apparently the father was Capt. Israel R Hendley killed at Mora Jan 25 1847 in the Mexican War. Served as Capt. in Missouri Mounted Volunteers.
His brother, John, (uncle to our interests) was Col Sterling Price's private physician for his Regiment during the expedition.

Israel was a large landowner with numerous land grant certificates in Ray County. Given the above family info I suspect the family was well known by name and face in Richmond leading credence to the first hand account of seeing Capt. John Hendley in town. Pernita (mother) by 1864 had lost husband, son Malnor and daughter Israella.