Hi Bob -

Wow!!!!!! THANKS very much for your posting and help on my puzzle..!!!!

William Carroll Byrd and his wife Margaret Elizabeth Jackson Byrd in the 1860 census for Union Twsp, Iron Co. MO are indeed my gg-grandparents. Their son "Jackson" is my g-grandpa Andrew Jackson Byrd (see URL below).

Where they lived (near Brunot, SE Iron Co. MO) is ~70 miles from Pocahontas, Randolph Co. AR. Land transaction documents I obtained from the Iron Co. MO courthouse indicate that Wm. Carroll Byrd sold all of his land in 1860 for ONE DOLLAR to a local JP with the last name of Shaver. In March, 1863, a document indicates that both Wm. Carroll Byrd and his wife Margaret buy their land BACK from said JP Shaver for ONE DOLLAR and then promptly sell their land to a certain Mr. Roberts.

I have often wondered whether or not my gg-grandpa Wm. Carroll Byrd had served in the CSA or not. His age (44 in 1860) would perhaps suggest not, but the strange land transactions described above makes me wonder. Family history states that Wm. Carroll Byrd and his family lost their livestock to foraging Union soldiers during the Civil War/WBTS there in Missouri before they moved to Randolph County Arkansas (first to Ring, later to Ravenden Springs and Birdell).

Another tidbit, the Wm. C. Byrd in (New) Co. F, 8th Ark. Inf. was detailed to the commisary and as a wagoner after the battle of Shiloh; this perhaps of having advanced age (~46-47 years)...????

Agewise, the other Wm. C. Byrds would seem more likely candidates to enlist; but distance from Pocahontas, Randolph County to their home address...????

I keep thinking some sort of document might turn up some day that will finally solve the puzzle.....

thanks once again for your time and very kind help!!!!!!

Kenneth Byrd, Indianapolis