Bruce, as you might recall there was an exchange on this board back in Dec. 04/Jan. 05 concerning the killing of Crites and his kin. That thread included a reference from myself in regard to Tucker. Unfortunately, we weren't able to flesh out any additional details regarding Tucker at that time. You can access that thread for possible clues by clicking onto the archive button and then conducting a keyword search.

Since that exchange three years ago, I haven't yet figured out who Tucker was. I have identified someone who he might possibly be but I am in noways certain.

Edwards, in Shelby and His Men, refers several times to Bob Tucker, and Captain Bob Tucker (see pp. 139, 206, 271, 376). Edwards refers to Tucker as being "one of the most daring and intelligent officers in the brigade and one of Elliott's most reliable captains...." He also affectionately refers to "Captain Bob Tucker and his rascally dragoons...."

In regard to Bob Tucker, in the O.R., Ser. 1, Vol. 34, Pt. 1, p. 839, on May 3, 1864, Shelby wrote a report of the Camden Expedition commending, among others, Major Benjamin Elliott and "Lieutenant" Tucker. Shelby referred to the men's "courage, devotion, endurance, and stern and dashing bravery." He also referred to them as being "towers of strength in danger's dark and trying hour."

Perhaps Bob Tucker was recruiting men and liberating mounts for them in SEMO during the fall of 1863 and winter of 63/64, and came to the attention of Leeper. I haven't chased this down any further to see if Bob fits the bill of being the head of SEMO's "Tucker Gang," as the specific subject of our research was referred to by Leeper. Perhaps further research, particularly in Elliott's command, might shed some light.