I was just reading Bruce Nichol's answer about Thrailkill and noticed he was from Holt County, MO. I have an ancestor that was from the neighboring county of Nodaway County way up in northwest Missouri. I have always been interested that there was a strong Confederate group that far north in Missouri. Robert Russell Rankin was a Confederate in the 3rd Battalion, Cavalry Volunteers, company B- Captain Burns- Confederate Elected 2nd Lt., May 1862. Enlisted 1/29/1862 at Springfield, MO-- age 42 also MSG (Missouri State Guard) 5th Cavalry, 5th division, Company H.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about these men and the early battles they took part in? On his record is says he participated at Wilson's Creek, Sugar Creek and Farmington. In particular there is a family story that he was captured at Sugar Creek. I'm not sure where that is, can anyone help on this? If you were captured at Sugar Creek, where would you have been sent as a prisoner?

Can anyone tell me anything about Captain Burns of the 3rd Battalion?

He had to leave the army in March, 1863 because of ill health.