My gr-grandfather was in the Union 8th Missouri Cavalry during the war. He told his children some of his war experiences in Arkansas, and in turn, my grandfather repeated some of these stories to his children. A few days ago I talked to a cousin who related one story he heard from his father, in a different version than I had heard from my father. According to my father, his grandpa chased after a Confederate horseman during a skirmish. He came alongside the man and as their horses jumped a ditch he knocked him off his horse, taking him prisoner. I remember another version from a different family member many years ago, had him chasing after a rebel who was turning and shooting at him. A few days ago my cousin said his father told him that our ancestor saw a fleeing Confederate on a fine horse and gave chase, wanting to get the animal. The Reb jumped into a body of water called Slaughter's Ditch and swam his horse through it. My ancestor tried to follow, but turned around mid-stream when the water got too deep for him. So we have different versions of something that happened a long time ago. But you see the common word "ditch" in the versions my father & uncle told. I've never heard of a Slaughter's ditch. I would have given anything to talk to my uncle about it and press his memory.