Randall,

It is possible that your ancestor may have been an offficer in the MSG. Sometimes when soldiers moved from State to Confederate service, the rank they held in the state unit was null and void. Now a thought as to your puzzle.

I looked at the Henry County site you mention, and it notes a William Childers, CSA in obits. There is a W. Childers, Co. F, 16th Missouri Infantry listed on the CWSS site. Also a Benjamin Beaty, Co. F, 16th Mo. Is it possible that Benjamin Beaty had command of this company at war's end and this was known in the community? Maybe the title Captain was just that. A title denoting his command of the company yet not an actual rank held officially by the individual? I may be in over my head here so if someone wants to jump in and comment.........

Len