That provides a good bit of information and raises a few more questions. That Civil War Claim no doubt was in regard to a house that was filled full of holes.

The unknown Unionist who the Briscoe son killed was in fact named in the August 24, 1863 issue of the St. Louis Republican at page 2--"KILLED BY GUERRILLAS--We learn that a citizen named D.G. Fitzgerald was killed in Warren county, near Hickory Grove, last Monday, by two bushwhackers named Joe Cole and Briscoe, because he gave information that led to the discovery of their camp and the death of their leader, Henderson, about a year and a half ago. Cole and Briscoe met their victim in the road and shot him dead."

Briscoe was apparently either John Frederick Briscoe or Warner L. Briscoe according to the linked family biographical profile. Joe Cole is still a mystery.

The name of the guerrilla chieftain in the linked biographical profile is at odds with the 1885 "History of St. Charles, Montgomery and Warren Counties at page 993 which said he was James Henderson.

I am guessing that the author of the biographical profile pulled the name Francis Gardere Henderson from the Congressional claim file. Anybody know how to access those? I would think that file would be full of affidavits. And does the name Francis Gardere Henderson mean anything to anybody? Can anybody shed any light on the service of the two Briscoe boys?

The date of the skirmish, as well as the report that 30 Federals were involved, came years after the event. A report made contemporaneous in time and place to the fight is at odds to them. This from page 2 of the March 24, 1862 issue of the St. Louis Republican--

"FROM WARREN COUNTY.

Warrenton, Warren Co., Mo.,

March 24, 1862.

The Capt. Henderson, who, with his gang of outlaws, have been creating so much excitement in this and adjoining coutnies, by occasional attacks upon small bands of Federal troops, and visiting the houses of Union men, compelling them to take the oath of allegiance to Jeff & Co., has been finally captured. Col. Morsey sent a detachmment of some eight or ten men to Marthasville, a small village eighteen miles south of this place, with directions to visit the house of a rabid secesh living near that place, and arrest certain parties supposed to be there. The men surrounded the building, and when within a short distance of it were fired upon by persons within, wounding three of the Colonel's men, one of them seriously. The rebels, who proved to be five in number, then attempted to make their escape, but the well directed aim of the Federals brought one of them to the ground and wounded one other, who, however, made good his escape. Upon coming up to their game, they discovered the man of all others they most desired to get hold of--he was shot through the right breast, the ball passing from behind entirely thorugh the chest. A carriage was procured, and he was brought immediately to this place. This occurred on yesterday. He is still alive, but no prospect of recovery, though all attention is shown him that could be desired.

Col. Morsey deserves all praise for the vigilance he has exercised to rid the country of so great an enemy. Henderson is a shrewd, brave fellow, and has for many months eluded the most active efforts of the Federals to take him. His death or captivity will do much toward restoring quiet in this neighborhood.

Yours, respectfully,

C."

The seriously wounded Federal was named to be Conrad Drunert in one report I have seen, and Frederick Drunert in another. Conrad later went on to be killed by George Todd, et al., at Goslins Lane on September 23, 1864. As for Frederick, he mustered out of service a year before his enlistment was up. I have wondered whether he received a medical discharge.

In a brief note after the war, Col. Frederick Morsey mentioned that James Wilson was involved in going after Porter, Poindexter, Reeves, Marmaduke, and....Henderson. Four were colonels or generals with hundreds or thousands of men in their commands, and the other was a guerrilla with a five-man force. Wilson was a sergeant at the time Henderson was taken. And a sergeant is generally in charge of a squad of eight or ten men. Morsey indicated in his comments that Wilson's involvement in the Henderson matter was significant--significant enough to be mentioned in the same breath as Wilson's interactions with Confederate colonels and generals. Wilson was promoted from sergeant to captain shortly after Henderson was captured.

Anyway, great help so far, and thanks for providing it. If anybody can provide anything additional, I'd appreciate it.