I think the 3 companies of Preston's Bn were actually organized more like Sept, 1862, around Bloomfield. Preston, an aide de camp to Gen. Jeff Thompson, sought authority from Gen. Leonidas Polk, then at Columbus, KY, to recruit a battalion in the 1st Military District (Southeast Missouri)as early as Dec 1861 However, I can't find any evidence of the companies being in existence, with the exception of Capt Joseph J. Miller's (Co A of the battalion), until the fall of 1862.