This gets "curiouser and curiouser". Apparently Michael Buster differentiated his infantry from what apparently was his mounted force. The "Minhart's Squadron" (2 companies?) he refers to is Captain J. H. Minhart commander of Company "B" of Buster's Battalion just one month before at Newtonia, MO.

I've gone back and reviewed some other OR reports authored by Buster and it appears "Minhart's Squadron" joined Buster's Battalion "Captain Minhart's squadron arrived here to-day, according to order, all well, and without accident on the way." (Page 274 MO.,ARK.,KANS.,IND. T.,AND DEPT. N. W. Chapter XXV). In other reports there are references to Minhart's Company/Squadron going out on "scouts" and doing other duties associated with a mounted force "Captain Minhart has not yet returned from his scout, and the rumored fight with the Pins still lacks confirmation." (Page 276 MO.,ARK.,KANS.,IND. T.,AND DEPT. N. W. Chapter XXV.) There is also the following describing drill for both foot soldiers and mounted troops. "Orders were read on dress parade this evening for foot drill for both officers and soldiers to-morrow from 7.30 to 9 a. m. and for mounted drill from 3.30 to 5 p. m." (Page 276 MO.,ARK.,KANS.,IND. T.,AND DEPT. N. W. Chapter XXV.)

The reference to "squadron" is also interesting, since in September of '62, Thompson's Company "K" of Watie's 1st Cher Mtd Vol's was transferred to Clarkson's Battalion and became "Co. H" of that unit. Undoubtedly, Thompson's men were mounted at the time of their transfer. I wonder??? Could this "Minhart's Squadron" have been his Company "B" and Thompson's men? This would mean that Buster's Battalion was a "combined" force of both infantry and cavalry. Regarding, Thompson's Company "H" it also states that this company was broken-up in Nov. '62 and the men became a part of Clark's (9th) Missouri Infantry Regiment.

I would guess Thompson's men were whites and/or intermarried whites serving in Watie's regiment.

Jim