I suspect and this is pure speculation on my part, that the Bollinger County Union club later became a good part of Cochran's independent company. Many folks have tried to ascertain just what the command and control structure this unit had if any. It may very well be that Cochran went to St. Louis and received in turn the equivalent of a "letter of marque" from Halleck or whomever. Money was short, men were short, and in 1862 the Union army was happy to have anyone one their side in the field particularly in SE Mo. I'll do some digging.

Many political culbs and para military organizations sprung up in late 1860 through 62. Another example of these is the Marble City Guards from Cape, a decidly Southern group.

John R