The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Capt. Reuben Barnes
In Response To: Capt. Reuben Barnes ()

Bob,

From what little I have read about Reuben Barnes, he was considered a leader of southern irregulars or guerrillas. The "Partisan Ranger Act" of April 1862 in Richmond, VA automatically granted the rank of captain upon any such leader who followed the specifications (or most of them, the way it usually worked in MO) inherent upon that position. This was not a formal process, and the Union military made a lot of fun of "partisan ranger" captains and usually refused to grant prisoners with that moniker the respect normally due a regular Confederate captain. Nevertheless, the southern forces usually honored partisan ranger captains and treated them mostly with respect due that position. Even if there was no formal ceremony or official certificate, according to Confederate civil and military law it is legitimate. Honest.

Bruce Nichols

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Capt. Reuben Barnes
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Thomas B. Walker
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Re: Capt. Reuben Barnes