Maggie, the 8th MSM was one of the Missouri State Militia Regiments raised by agreement with the Lincoln administration to be funded by the Federal governement and to serve strictly in Missouri. The 8th was one of the better regiments seeing much action through the war in southwest and central Missouri chasing after raiders, bushwhackers and the various incursions by Shelby, Marmaduke and Price. I have a complete roster of the regiment by name, but lack more specific information.