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Re: Confederate Grave in Rolla
In Response To: Re: Confederate Grave in Rolla ()

Bryan,

Well, when I'm wrong, I'm wrong. The action of Monday, 1 August 1864 took place eight miles from Rolla, probably west of town on the wagon road. The story ran in two issues of the "St. Louis Daily Union," as carried in Kenneth Weant's "Missourians in the Civil War," Volume 22, on page 25 and also on page 34.
The first story in the "Union" was published on 9 August 1864 under the headline "Two Soldiers Killed." Here it is:
"Two soldiers-James Thompson and (Joseph C.) Fisher-belonging to Company H., 5th Missouri State Militia, were killed and robbed by bushwhackers five miles from Rolla, on Monday, the 1st inst.. There were about twenty-five bushwhackers, and they had just robbed seven wagons before they killed the soldiers. They has also made arrangements to rob the mail, but knowing there was danger, the stage remained at the station during the night."
The second story ran on 13 August 1864, also in the "Union" to correct errors in the earlier article. Here it is:
"Last Tuesday, Lieutenant Charles C. Twyford, and six men of company H., 5th cavalry, Missouri State Militia, stationed at Little Piney, came to Rolla for the purpose of obtaining a supply of horseshoes, bread, etc. While returning, and when about eight miles out, they were attacked by twenty or twenty-five bushwhackers. Two of the men, G. H. (George H.) Thompson and J. G. (Joseph G.) Fisher, were killed; others received shots through their clothing, but they succeeded in reaching town in safety."
So, this fight actually took place Tuesday, August 2. The two articles say nothing about any guerrilla deaths, but there may have been some. Since the bushwhackers had possession of the battlefield, since the first article says the guerrillas also robbed the two soldiers they killed, is seems likely if the southerners had any casualties, they took them with them. But, who knows?

I don't know if that helps you quest, but I did want to correct my first answer.
Bruce

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