Hello -

I received my copy of Jim McGhee's Missouri Confederate units book published by University of Arkansas Press (2008). Within a few hours, I had used Jim's FANTASTIC book to solve a longtime puzzle (see below) re my Simmons ancestors from Fulton County, Arkansas.....THANK YOU JIM...!!!!!!!

I have long thought that my gg-grandfather Alfred L. Simmons (Benton Twsp, Fulton Co. AR in 1860 census) had served only in Co. I, 7th Arkansas Infantry (see URL below) before he died on November 15, 1864 (place and burial site still unknown).

Two or his older brothers, Peter Owen Simmons (Co. H) and James J. Simmons (Co. B), along with one of his brother-in-laws William Bailey (Co. B), all served in Fristoe's Missouri Cavalry. This confirmed by their respective compiled service records (CSRs).

Recently I became aware of an "Alfred L. Simmons, Pvt., Co. K, 3rd MO Cavalry" and a "James J. Simmons, Pvt., Co. K, 3rd MO Cavalry" (funny that I have never noticed them before...!!?!?!?!?). They were both enlisted by Captain Sapp on Dec. 12, 1862 in Pocahontas, Randolph Co. Arkansas.

I was able to confirm (using the 1860 censuses for both Arkansas and Missouri) that there was NO other Alfred L. Simmons beside my gg-gf who lived in proximity to Pocahontas or of appropriate age who could have enlisted in the 3rd MO Cavalry on Dec. 12, 1862. Apparently Alfred recovered from his "being "sick at Nashville" as indicated on a company I, 7th Ark. Inf. muster roll dated December 31, 1861 and "jined up" with the 3rd MO Cavalry there in Pocahontas.

However, in the CSR file I obtained for James J. Simmons, Co. K, 3rd MO Cavalry there were confusing documents indicating that Pvt. James Simmons, Co. F, 3rd MO Cavalry was 16 years old, captured at "Big Black, Mississippi" on June 25, 1863. This same James Simmons was a POW at both Gratiot Prison in St. Louis and ultimately Camp Douglas, Chicago. Oct. 14, 1863 letters in his CSR indicated that he was "enticed to join by his uncle Augustus Simmons as a substitute" and "wishes to take the oath and go home and take care of his mother".

The letters also indicated that the 16 year old James Simmons was from Greene Co. MO and further stated that his uncle Augustus Simmons "was in the company and regiment I am now in and he was anxious to leave the service. He persuaded me for some time to take his place and offered me 6 months back pay then due from the Confederates and I finally complied" The letter goes on to state "I am now extremely sorry that I am engaged in so bad a cause and ask to [unclear here] and promise if released to go home and remain with my mother till the termination of the war". "I have no friends of sufficient ability to give bonds for me" "Signed by Prisoner James Simmons...... X .....His mark". Apparently the 16 year old was unable to write and dictated this letter to a guard there at Camp Douglas.

Since my ggg-uncle James J. Simmons was 34 years old in the 1860 census of Fulton Co. Arkanas, I was confused until I discovered in Jim McGhee's book (page 139) that the 16 year old James Simmons was undoubtedly in the 3rd MO Battalion Cavalry (Campbell's/Samuel's). His information was erroneously combined with my ggg-uncle James J. Simmons in Co. K, 3rd MO Cav. (Greene's).

Lastly, I am now wondering how much action my gg-gf Alfred L. Simmons and his brother James J. Simmons may have seen with Greene's 3rd MO Cavalry before Alfred died on Nov. 15, 1864. Could Alfred have participated in Price's 1864 Raid? Since Fristoe's MO Cavalry formed in Fulton Co. Arkansas during July 1864 (.....again, THANK YOU Jim..!!!!) and Alfred's two brothers (Peter O. Simmons and James J. Simmons) and his brother-in-law (William Bailey) were in that unit, does that indicate Alfred may have been sick/wounded, etc. before that time???

The puzzle continues......

Thanks again, Jim!!!!!!!

y.v.o.s.,

Kenneth Byrd