Federal POW reports show one of them was later captured in an engagement which the regiment was involved.
One could conclude that they did not, in fact, desert, but, perhaps later rejoined their unit. Who knows?
Good hunting,
George Martin
Record of Events for Company I, 3rd Missouri Cavalry
October 30-December 31, 1862
November 8 - Engaged at Fort Stevenson, Douglas County, Missouri
December 4 - Engaged near Hartville, Missouri
December 24 - Engaged near Van Buren, Missouri. In all of [these actions] they
were victorious and acted gallantly. This company and it's Captain particularly deserve praise for the action near Van Buren. The number miles traveled on various expeditions in front of the enemy is 1,130 miles. This company is a small, but efficient one [which] wants more arms.
..............
Benjamin F. Morgan, age 36, enlisted in Company I, 3rd Missouri Cavarly August 27, 1862 at McDonald County, Missouri, deserted November 15, 1862, family records indicate that he died January 20, 1863, no further records
Also joining Company I at the same time were 34 year old Samuel W. Morgan, James J. Morgan, and 25 year old Rich M. Morgan.
Both Samuel and James are recorded as also deserting on November 15, 1862. No further record other than his initial enlistment muster is shown for Rich.
Further cards in James file show he was captured at Mound City, Kansas on October 24, 1864, he later died of Variola [Smallpox] at the Alton Military Prison Hospital in Illinois
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⁃ The regiment saw action on Oct. 23, 2864 at Cole Country, Missouri reporting 1 POW
⁃ and then on Oct. 24 at Mound City, Kansas, again reporting 1 POW
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Report of Capt. Benjamin S. Johnson, Third Missouri Cavalry.
CAMP ON RED RIVER, ARK.,
December 21, 1864.
MAJ.: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken
by this regiment in the action of the 23d October at Big Blue River:
I assumed command of the regiment the evening of the 22d of October,
Col. Greene being disabled from injuries received at the battle of
Little Blue on the 21st of October. I was ordered to form the regiment
at sunrise on the bank of Big Blue River as infantry. After being in
position about half an hour the enemy appeared in sight and opened fire
on us from small-arms, compelling us, owing to the formation of the
creek, to leave our position, they being enabled to fire on us from the
right flank and rear. We fell back one mile and a half in good order to
a skirt of timber at the edge of a small prairie, and were ordered to
form to support Pratt's artillery. The enemy appeared in sight and
opened heavily on us. We replied, compelling them to fall back to the
shelter of some houses on the prairie. They again advanced at a charge
to take our battery. We opened fire on them while Company G, under
the command of First Sergeant Woolsey, dashed gallantry forward and
hauled the guns off by hand, the balance of the regiment keeping a
steady fire upon the enemy. We remained in our position until every gun
was discharged and every cartridge expended. Ordered by Gen. Clark
to fall back to our horses, which we did in good order.
Our loss was 3 killed and 7 wounded.
The whole regiment acted very gallantry. Particular praise is due to
Sergeant Woolsey, of Company G, for his gallant conduct.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. S. JOHNSON,
Capt., Cmdg. Regt.
Maj. F. S. ROBERTSON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Marmaduke's Brigade.
Source: Official Records
CHAP. LIII.] PRICE'S MISSOURI EXPEDITION. PAGE 693-83
[Series I. Vol. 41. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 83.]
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3rd Missouri Cavalry Rgt.
Col. Colton Greene, Lt Cols. L. A. Campbell, L. C. Campbell, Maj. James Surridge
The regiment was organized in the summer of 1862 with men from Polk
County and Springfield and Newtonia. Many of the men had prior service
in the Mo. State Guard. It served in Shelby's, C. Greene's, J. B.
Clark's brigade. It took part in Marmaduke's expedition into Missouri
and Price's 1864 Missouri expedition. It lost 26 men with Marmaduke,
nine at Helena, four at Bayou Fourche, two killed and five wounded at
Poison Spring, six killed and 31 wounded at Jenkins' Ferry and 19
Killed and 110 wounded during Price's expedition. It disbanded in the
spring of 1865.
Submitted by: John Heseltine
[American Civil War Research Database]