Peculiar, is always the term I see for explaining the organization of the MSM, as well as the EMM, as if that would suffice. One of the main, perhaps the principal tenets of the MSM was "locality of service" which was far from new when the MSM was authorized, ie: they were not to be "ordered from the State." This did not prevent them from doing otherwise, whether in defense of the State or not. All must agree that if a major river separated Kansas and Arkansas from Missouri as did Illinois, then Illinois would have been more of a focus especially in Southeast Missouri. I do wish to attempt to stay on point, however,----as to my initial inquiry, knowing of course that Prairie du Rocher is a minor encounter; not even a battle or skirmish, it was deemed an Affair, as if it were a domestic dispute. There was much more to the incident than is in the OR but still, from other's experiences, might have Capt. Milks made the Raid without authority and is there historical context for officers of his rank, not in company with more senior men, of accomplishing the same thing?