The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Bazel F. Lazear/Mingo Swamp

Here are three letters from the Civil War Service Record of B.F. Lazear. Lt. Col, 12th MSM Cav. Another piece of the story leading up to Mingo Swamp. Thought they were interesting...any thoughts re:Lazear much appreciated. I haven't yet located the letter from Lazear's superiors authorizing the "expedition to Bloomfield" that Lazear requests in the first letter.

Cynthia

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Lazear, Bazel F. Selected documents from the Civil War Service Record
12th Missouri State Militia Cavalry

Headquaters 12th Cav MSM
Jackson, MO Jan 13th 1863

Capt.

I would respectfully ask of the commanding General that he order all of the 12th Regt. Cav. Together and allow me to make an expedition to and below Bloomfield. Our Regiment is all the force I ask, and would respectfully represent that if there is any glory to be obtained in that direction that his regiment is entitled to the first claim. Beside there is a large number of the men in our regiment whose families are in that section and many of them are represented to be in a suffering condition and certainly should be relieved as far as possible. We can do more good in that section than any other force that can be sent there from the fact that so many of our men live there they know all the roads swamps and bypaths, and acquainted with the whole county and the people.

I hope the commanding General will duly consider this request and by giving his early attention and the necessary orders to carry out the expedition will secure the thanks not only of the Regiment but the gratitude of a large number of suffering women and children.

Very Respectfully

B F Lazear Lt. Col.
Capt C. H. Dyer
A.A.G.
Saint Louis District
Saint Louis, MO

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Lazear, Bazel F. Selected documents from the Civil War Service Record
12th Missouri State Militia Cavalry

Headquarters 12th Cav. MSM
Jackson MO Jan 13th 1863

Capt.

I respectfully beg leave to report that on the receipt of the first of your dispatches dated Saint Louis Jan 12th 1863 I could see no other course to pursue but to assume command of the 12th Regt Cav MSM which I done, giving Col. Jackson a coppy of the dispatch he gave up the command, turned over the Books, papers and etc and was on the point of leaving when he assumed command again issuing an order ordering myself under arrest. I refused to obey the order and ordered him under guard as a citizen interfering with my official duties. Upon the receipt of you second dispatch same date I gave him coppy and released him when everything again appeared to being? Satisfactory until this morning when he went to leave. I found that he had informed some of the officers and enlisted men that he was leaving on a few days leave of absence and that I was under arrest and Capt. Flentge? Would be in command. I sent for him to return and explain what he meant by such declarations. He stated that he had a leave of absence that he had written himself and after first denying the balance said that if I was not under arrest his saying so would make no difference. I concluded I was only wasting time with a childish old man and let him go. I have been thus particular in this matter thinking it might be necessary for all the facts to be known and have only acted according to what I judged to be my duty.

Very Respectfully

B F Lazear Lt. Col

Cavalry 12th MSM
Capt. C. H. Dyer
A.A.G.
Saint Louis District
Saint Louis MO

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Lazear, Bazel F. Selected documents from the Civil War Service Record
12th Missouri State Militia Cavalry

Ashly Pike County Missouri 7 April 1862

Brig. Genl Schofield

Dear Sir

I regret to learn that an effort is being made to prejudice the character of my friend Maj. B.F. Lazear as officer in the minds of his superior officers and thereby secure his removal from his present command.
The dissatisfaction to Maj. Lazear in this region is confined almost entirely to the soldiers now organizing and that dissatisfaction has been brought about by the efforts of a few of the company officers who are seeking his removal, that they may get his place, this I know. They bring no charges against him as an officer for the simple reason that they cannot. One of the captains told me a few days ago in presence of several as good men as we have in the county that Maj Lazear had treated him while in the state service like a gentleman that as an officer he had never asked anything unreasonable of him, and that they had never had any difficulty of any kind, but that he had told some of his men if he Lazear had any command in the new regiment, that he would resign before he serve under him and that he intend to stick to it.
Permit me to say Sir if a gallant and accomplished officer such as Maj Lazear is to be sacrificed for such reasons, without having any specific charges preferred against him or any investigation into the matter, that it will cast a chill upon the union sentiment in this section that will be disastrous in the extreme. Major Lazear has a host of Friends in this region who are men of character and influence-who feel that their all is at stake-men who have from the very beginning of this unhappy __ been active uncompromising union men--- men who stood up and bore the good old Flag aloft when some of the men who are now so active against Maj Lazear were fearing to move--- These men have braved the storm of secession in out darkest hours, they have opened purses, they have given of their substance, they have thrown open their house at all hours in the night to feed the soldiers when passing through on scouting parties and without ever making a charge on the Qrmaster. They opened their stores and furnished supplies to the needy and destitute soldiers before they were supplied by the state and when they could not get it in Louisiana and we now think our wish should be respected. And we do earnestly request that one of our best officers shall not be taken from us without some just cause. He is the man above all others that we look to for protection to our lives and property.
I am not connected with the military affairs in any way and therefore feel interest free to speak forth words of truth and soberness in this matter. Permit me to suggest in conclusion that if a military commission were sent here to examine into the qualification of some the company officers, that many of those who are now so much opposed to Maj Lazear would be found better fitted for privates than officers. I would refer you to Honl J.O. Brodhead of St. Louis for my character for veracity and standing as a citizen.

Very Respectfully,

Your Friend

S S Russell

PS. Major Lazear has been in active service under his new commission and is now at this place with his command and so far as I can judge from appearances the soldiers appear to be well satisfied and obey every order cheerfully

Yours S S Russell

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