I sure appreciate your local knowledge. Holt's body was evidently returned to the townsfolk. What was the evidence regarding being shot? Of course, if there was a running gunfight, I suppose being shot in the back wouldn't be too unexpected if you were the one being chased. I guess Lucas could have just let him go, but I thought that was the whole idea of going down the Benton road. The Co. C history says they had received word that a bodyguard accompanying Holt had been reported in the area, so I think that was who they were after, although I imagine as you say, Lucas was just chasing whoever was running. Have you read the anecdote passed down in his family? He said two patrols ran across each other and a chase ensued. Certainly many MOH were awarded in the Cvil War for acts much less valorous than current awards. They are still quite political with all of the "makeup calls" of the past 20 yrs. At any rate I sure appreciate your expertise and any info on Holt esp. regarding medical training, etc. I read he contracted with the Confederacy as a surgeon at $100/month in 1862. Was he still engaged as a medical man when he came back to Benton in July 1864, or was he serving in some other capacity? Please feel free to email. Jim