Mike Thomasson,
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Thank you for the "Spruce McCoy Baird" question.
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In my study of the last 1-1/2 years of the War, Spruce McCoy Baird seems to be at every turn. Our friends' above postings sort of outlined Spruce McCoy Baird's mercurial military record.
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Please help correct my Arizona Brigade web page. I think it is imperative that we understand the Arizona Brigade in order to compile the evolution of the Texas Confederate military units.
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http://www.bourlandcivilwar.com/ArizonaBrigade.htm
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one "S.M. Baird" was listed as "a striker in the smith shop" from Sep 1864 - Nov 1864 in Bourland's Border Regt.
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Spruce McCoy Baird could have signed onto Bourland's Regt just to improve his "blacksmith skills" since the term "striker" does not appear again in the Bourland's regimental records. ..Many older men, esp. officers in Confederate units active earlier in the Civil War, signed up for Bourland's Regt, maybe just to increase the number of men in his regiment. Of course, Bourland had known most of these men for over 20 years.
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From my 146-page Name Index and my Arizona Brigade web page.
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BAIRD, Spruce McCoy Baird,(1814 Barren Co KY-1872 now Colfax Co NM) m-1848 Emicetta Bowdry; 1860 Bernalillo Co NM cen p160; Santa Fe NM judge in 1848; Navajo Indian Agent in 1852; Colonel S.M. Baird organized the 4th Arizona Brigade, then commanded the TX 4th Cav, Co E, 4th Arizona Brig.; Major S.M. Baird was in Ragsdale's TX Battn Cavalry; one S.M. Baird is listed as "a striker in the smith shop" from Sep 1864 - Nov 1864 in Bourland's Border Regt (Pvt, Co E, Bourland's Regt), 166, 167, 185, 277, A-6, A-7, A-8, A-10, A-29, A-260, A-276
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The Captain Henry LeKoester of Co. E of Baird's-Showalter's 4th Texas Cavalry, 4th Arizona Brigade was mentioned five (5) times in Bourland's regimental records.
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Again, please slowly scroll down my lengthy Arizona Brigade web page to get an idea of the relationship of the nebulous Arizona Brigade and the Texas Confederate units of the last year of the War, i.e., Jun 1864 - Jun 1865. I would appreciate any comments and corrections in this lonesome task. http://www.bourlandcivilwar.com/ArizonaBrigade.htm
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Patti, prochette@Juno.com
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