Given this information the best fit from 1860 Missouri census records is a Samuel Skaggs family with 21 y/o son William Skaggs from Castor Twsp, Madison County Missouri. This almost matches with the report Skaggs was from Perry County in the St. Louis Republican, 28 October 1864, p. 3 article previously posted.
He is also found in Simpsons 6 month Militia (4th Regiment) Co F raised at Perryville MO, listed as age 22 at time of muster in 27 Nov 1861 and mustered out Feb 27 1862, thus perhaps the reporters source of him being from Perry Co.
John R.