George Martin
William A. Buck
Enlisted as a Private (date unknown).
"E" Co. AR 45th Mounted Infantry
BUCK, WILLIAM A. Pvt , 35, MS, 5' 10", gray, lt, lt.
[The sequence of the physical descriptions are: Age, place of birth, ht, eyes, hair, complexion.]
Organized in1864 and designated as the 45th Inf Regt Mounted it was most often referred to as the 45th Cavalry Regt.
Participated in Price's Missouri Raid in Sep-Oct1864 and Mine Creek, KS 25Oct1864.
All the records were lost when the wagons burned in southeast Missouri.
Records consist almost entirely of federal prison records and records generated at time of the parole after the surrender of Confederate Forces in 1865.
[http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/45thcav_indx.html]
Organized as a mounted rifles unit in the late summer of 1864 under the command of Colonel Milton D. Baber and Lt. Col. J.W. Clark. Assigned to McCray's Brigade, Fagan's Arkansas Cavalry Division, where they participated in Price's Missouri Raid in September and October of 1864, and at the battle of Mine Creek on October 25, 1864. Returned to service in northeastern Arkansas after the Raid. Surrendered with BG M. Jeff Thompson near Chalk Bluff on May 11, 1865.
[http://ranger95.com/civil_war/arkansas_csa/infantry/45th_ark_inf_rgt.html]
Some interesting reading re Fagen's Division
HEADQUARTERS FAGAN'S DIVISION,
Camp at Waverly, Mo., October 18, 1864.
[Lieut. Col. L. A. MACLEAN :]
COLONEL: I beg leave to call your attention to a want of breadstuffs for my division. My men are much dissatisfied and complain a good deal. They deem it strange that in such a plentiful country as the one in which we are now operating breadstuffs cannot be supplied at least while we are moving so leisurely. Being totally unacquainted with the country and its resources, and not knowing one day where my command will be the next or even the direction it will take, I am unable myself to make any arrangement to supply my command, and must rely on the proper officers of the staff of the army to do so. I addressed Major Tracy, chief commissary of subsistence of the array, a communication on the subject a day or two since, but have heard nothing from him on the subject. I will be pleased if you will call the attention of Major-General Price to the matter, as it is becoming one of serious import with my command. In this connection I have the honor to submit a report of my chief surgeon as to the causes which produce the increase in my sick report.
J. F. FAGAN,
Major-General.
[Inclosure.]
HEADQUARTERS FAGAN'S DIVISION,
Camp on Salt Fork, Mo., October 17, 1864.
Capt. JOHN KING,
Assistant Adjutant-General :
CAPTAIN: In view of the great increase of sickness in this division in the last fortnight, I have consulted the senior surgeons of brigade as to the probable causes, in order that they might be known and the proper preventive means employed. The character of disease now prevailing is of that class most commonly produced by vicissitudes of weather--such as catarrh, bronchitis, pneumonia, rheumatic affections, and glandular swellings. These causes of disease are more active on systems debilitated from want of sufficient food, &c. The men are much in need of proper and sufficient clothing, and are lamentably deficient in blankets sufficient to protect them during the cold nights. The ration of one-half pound of flour is not sufficient, even if it were regularly supplied, to fortify their systems against the perturbating influences to which they are subjected. It is the concurrent opinion of the medical officers that the hygienic means above mentioned, so much needed, will have to be supplied before their reports will exhibit an improved sanitary condition of the troops.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. B. WELCH,
Chief Surgeon, Fagan's Division.
[Indorsement.]
HEADQUARTERS FAGAN'S DIVISION,
Waverly, Mo., October 19, 1864.
Respectfully forwarded for the information of the major-general commanding.
Hundreds of my men are without the necessary clothing to be at all comfortable, even in the mildest weather at this season in this climate. I am utterly powerless to provide them with either clothing or bread, and respectfully call the attention of the major-general to the fact and beg his assistance.
J. F. FAGAN,
Major-General.
-----
HEADQUARTERS DOBBIN'S BRIGADE,
Camp Two Miles West of Grand Pass, October 18, 1864.
Maj. JOHN KING,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Fagan's Division, Army of Missouri:
MAJOR: I learn from my scouts that the enemy are encamped at Block's, twelve miles south of Waverly, on the Salt Pond road, about 7,000 strong. I left 400 men at Waverly last night to guard all the approaches to that place, for the purpose of having flour ground for Slemons' and my brigades. The wheat had to be gotten up through the country, as there was none at the mill, as Major Tracy had abandoned the mill, it being somewhat out of repair. I, however, had the mill put in running order before I left last night. I hope you will excuse the seeming neglect in not forwarding the report of the "part taken by my brigade in the action at Pilot Knob and other fights," as ordered. It was under way when I received orders night before last to move. Inclosed please find field return,(*) as ordered.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ARCH. S. DOBBIN,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
[Indorsement.]
HEADQUARTERS FAGAN'S DIVISION.
Respectfully forwarded.
The major-general commanding can see Colonel Dobbin as he passes his camp by sending a courier forward to notify that officer to meet him on the road.
J. F. FAGAN,
Major-General.
[Official Records, Series 1, V41 Pt. 4, pp. 1003/4]