Tom,
Independence is listed on a family site that included his military. It was listed with Prairie Grove, Pea Ridge and Wilson's Creek. I mean, I know just because it was listed like that doesnt mean anything pinpoint. But I just found it to be too coincidental. Independence is listed with other fights of that time frame and he just happened to enlist on August 10th. Is it barely possible that he could've enlisted with Cockrell on the 10th and then participated at Independence as an individual with the Confederates?
One thing I found new was this particular soldier was on a list of 95 "Disloyal" men in Johnson County, Missouri. Makes me wonder if he had a bird in his ear and might have known what was coming. Pure speculation, of course. But August 10th and Independence listing with the other time frame battles sure make it intriguing!