George Martin
Milton Oliver, Private, Jackson's Company A, 2nd Northeast Regiment, Missouri Cavalry, Franklins's Battalion, enlisted at Forsyth July 8 and discharged January 11, 1862 at Springfield, taken prisoner at Forsyth, Missouri May 2, 1862 and forwarded to Springfield, Missouri May 8, residence 9/4? miles South Forsyth, no further records.
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Muster Roll of Company B, 2nd Reg't NE Mo. Cavy dated July 25, 1862, stationed in Lewis County, Mo.
Record of Events
Owing to the presence of the Enemy, the horses of this Company were not appraised.
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Muster Roll of Field and Staff 2nd Reg't NEĀ Mo Cav. dated March 10, 1863, station not stated.
Record of Events
This regiment was raised and doing duty in North East Missouri where it was almost constantly in the presence of superior forces of the enemy and were often engaged in action against them - as the records of the organization of this regiment were all lost by the capture & murder of Lieutenant Colonel McCullough I am unable to give as detailed. - unsigned
Lt. Colonel Frisby H. McCullough, enrolled July 25, 1862, murdered August 6, 1862 by Order of Col. MCNeal
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HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD,
Kirksville, August 7, 1862.
COLONEL: After an active pursuit of the enemy under Porter for eight days we brought him to action at this place at 11 o'clock a.m. of yesterday. He had a force of from 2,500 to 3,000 men posted in the houses and corn fields of the village. We had an aggregate of 1,000 men, with five pieces of artillery.
The town was taken after a fight of two hours and fifty minutes, with a loss of 5 killed, including Capt. Emanuel Mayne, of the Third Iowa, and 25 wounded.
We have captured about 200 horses, as many arms of all descriptions, many of them being recently captured Government arms. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded may be safely stated at 150, and 40 prisoners.
We are out of rations and our horses worn.out, but will take up the pursuit as soon as we can seize subsistence enough to keep us up.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
JOHN McNEIL,
Colonel, Commanding.
OR V18, pp. 211/2
LIEUTENANT: It having been my good fortune to form part of the forces under command of Col. John McNeil at the recent battle of Kirksville, I have the honor to report that on the 6th instant we came upon the enemy, 3,000 strong, under command of Porter, McCulloch, and Franklin. They had taken possession of the town, the corn fields on both sides of the town, and the brush in the rear. I was assigned to the command of the right wing, which included Major Clopper, with 300 of Merrill's Horse; Major Benjamin, with part of the Second and Eleventh Missouri State Militia, and a section of the Third Indiana Battery, Lieutenant Armington commanding.
Not being able at first to discover the exact whereabouts of the enemy, Colonel McNeil ordered a cavalry charge to be made. I detailed Lieutenant Cowdrey, with part of Company A, Merrill's Horse, who charged through the town, receiving a severe fire from the enemy from the houses and behind the fences and trees. This was a most gallant charge, and reflects great credit upon Lieutenant Cowdrey and his brave men. Two of them were mortally wounded and 3 slightly and 5 horses killed. I then ordered Company C, Merrill's Horse, Lieutenant Piper commanding, to take possession of the nearest houses occupied by the enemy. This was done in gallant style. The fight soon became general throughout the entire line, the artillery opening on the houses and brush beyond the town with terrible effect upon the enemy.
In connection with the Indiana battery I wish to speak particularly of the bravery and good conduct of Sergeants Burns and Elliott and Corporal Berg.
As our lines advanced the enemy fell back to the brush, where their horses were concealed, throwing down their arms and clothing, the thick brush between the town and the river affording excellent protection for their retreat. Pursuit was made for 4 miles by Major Clopper with a detachment of Merrill's Horse, resulting in the capture of several wagons and horses and killing 8 of the enemy. But farther pursuit was entirely out of the question, as the horses were broken down by long marches, many of them having been on the march after Porter for thirty-two days, and the men had been without rations for two days.
Our loss in my command was 4 killed and 9 wounded. The loss of the enemy in the battle was 128 killed and at least 300 wounded. We captured 150 horses, 500 stand of arms, and a quantity of clothing and blankets.
Our entire force engaged in this battle did not exceed 500, large details having been made from the command for the purpose of protecting the train, ammunition, and horses, and to defend the artillery and take care of the wounded.
This was the most successful battle ever fought in Missouri; the victory most complete, resulting in the entire demoralization and scattering of Porter's entire army, which had been raised by brave and unscrupulous men for the express purpose of holding Northern Missouri and robbing and killing Union men.
Majors Clopper and Benjamin both distinguished themselves by their bravery and gallantry, but this same remark applies to the entire command, officers and men alike seeking the most dangerous places and all anxious to have the fight continue.
In conclusion I must speak of Colonel McNeil's colored man Jim. To him belongs the honor of killing the first man in the fight. Armed with a Sharps rifle, he did splendid work through the entire afternoon. Whenever a rebel showed his head at long range Jim was almost certain to get him.
I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
WM. F. SHAFFER,
Lieutenant-Colonel Merrill's Horse.
Lieutenant McFARLANE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General
OR V13, pp. 216/7
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Milton Oliver, Private, Company D, 3rd Regiment Missouri Cavalry, resident ot Taney County, Missouri, was surrendered with his company at New Orleans, Louisiana May 26, 1865 and paroled at Shreveport, Louisiana, June 7, 1865, no other records
[Note: Forsyth is in Taney County, approximately 35 miles to the south of Springfield]
3rd Regiment, Missouri Cavalry
3rd Cavalry Regiment was organized during the summer of 1862 with men from Springfield and Newtonia, and Polk County. Many of its members had seen prior service in the Missouri State Guard. It served in Shelby's, C. Green's, and J.B. Clark's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. The unit fought in Marmaduke's Expedition into Missouri, participated in numerous conflicts in Arkansas, and with Marmaduke, 9 at Helena, and 4 at Bayou Fourche. The regiment lost 2 killed and 5 wounded at Poison Spring, 6 killed and 31 wounded at Jenkin Ferry, and 19 killed and 110 wounded during Price's Expedition. In the spring of 1865 it disbanded. The field officers were Colonel Colton Green, Lieutenant Colonels L.A. Campbell and L.C. Campbell, and Major James Surridge.
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
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1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Milton Oliver
Age in 1860: 33
Birth Year: abt 1827
Birthplace: Missouri
Home in 1860: Newton Township, Taney County, Missouri
Gender: Male
Post Office: Forsyth
Value of real estate: $1000, Value of Personal Estate $1573 View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Milton Oliver 33
Kissia Oliver 33 Born in Tennessee
Artela Oliver 14
Elias Oliver 12
James Oliver 7
Cammel Oliver 4
Ellen Oliver 1
Benton Wheeler 9
Henry Wheeler 7