The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Yankee Spy Wilson?

The following entry is from a small unit memoir on the Purcell Scouts I am working on (Company L, 1st NE Missouri Cavalry). Purcell Scouts first formed on the east side of Young's Creek five miles southeast of Centralia in the latter half of July 1862. Rendezvoused with Porter's Regiment near Mt. Zion Church a few days later, then marched into Callaway County and engaged in the Battle of Moore's Mill shortly afterwards.

"The first lieutenant of the company when I joined was a man named Wilson, and was the only man who had a Confederate uniform. He was a nice, clean man, and was a good officer. Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, he had come all the way from St. Louis, where he lived, to join the Confederate Army. But for all that he was a good officer with whom I made a friend of at once. He took special pains to help me get together the things I needed and carried me on his horse behind him during the first night’s travel."

Immediately after the battle of Moore's Mill this man disappeared, and there was considerable speculation he had been a Federal spy. There was even speculation that nobody would be stupid enough to say he was from Connecticut if he was a spy. This one is a tough one to sort out--if only he had a more unique last name. Anyway, if anybody has any insights on him I'd appreciate hearing them.

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