Mr. Gates, let me clarify the situation about the southwest missouri regiment with regards to its service during Marmadukes first raid into Missouri. I did an extensive review of the entire regiments indiviudal CSR of the men in the regiment from its formation at Newtonia, which was in progress during the First Battle of Newtonia. When the regiment was formed they elected John Coffee to command the regiment but because he had ran afoul of General Hindman, for whatever the reason may have been (Alledgedly being drunk and disorderly conduct for which he was later exhonerated), he appointed another officer without the men of the regiment being allowed to select their own field officers which at the time was standard for volunteer regiments. I know from the Court Martial record as well as the CSR recrod that at Prarie Grove the 6th Mo. two companies refused to engage. Why, there seems to be no known reason. But in the trial transcript, presided by Captain Rathbun who was later of the same regiment and a lawyer in Springfield after the war, he clearly demonstrates through testimony that Berry's Company (Co. H) refused to engage at Prairie Grove, Springfield and Hartville. Further records, to which I did extensive research, indicate that two companies simply deserted during the night before Hartville. Additionally the same can be said for one company of the 12th Missouri. This does not mean that the regiment did not refuse to engage during the raid. There were indeed casualties sustained, but out of proportion to what the 5th and 12th Lost. At Springfield, I can well understand why the 6th did not engage. First, it was posted virtually in front of Fort No. 4 facing north with Greggs men protrecting their exposed eastern flank. A direct assault was tried but ineffective. Additionally many of the men of the regiment had family staying in Springfield. For them to make a dash into that town and be recognized would undoubtedly cause problems for their families. Thirdly, and this seems to be the issue: there was alot of resentment towards a couple of their regimental officers.

One last point, the 6th Missouri was not the only regiment that had this problem. Colton Green's regiment,of which part of it was in the raid, had the same situation. In February the officers of the regiment sent a signed petition to Holmes objecting to having Major L. A. Campbell of Springfield assigned to their command without their having the privilege of voting on it. This was a sore point with these men that would fester for some time. At one point they actually rebelled.

These facts can be born out by examing the CSR's of the 6th Mo. and I am sure the same conclusions can be drawn. After the first raid the regiment went into extensive refitting and reoganization and later simply redesignated the 11th Missouri Cavalry.

I hope this clarify's my position.