"These men were principally driven away from their homes and families by the lawless rebel bands which at that time roamed in their full triumph all over the State. They preferred this service, thinking that they would be allowed to dislodge these rebel bands and their sympathizers from the soil of free Missouri, in order to have revenge. This was a failure, and why? After serving the country over three years, they still dare not attempt to enjoy the benefit of their property. They have hunted down, chased and skirmished these lawless rebel bands to the time of muster out; besides extensive other duty, which is shown by the number of miles traveled while mounted, which amounted to 15,876 miles over the soil of Missouri."
Why couldn't the men "attempt to enjoy the benefit of their property/"
BTW, my 4th GGF was a sergeant in the company and was shot in the arm while on patrol in 1863 and died of the wound six years
later.
Edward J. Wurtz