I'm thinking the evidence shows William Threlkeld and John Threlkeld were both there in different roles. We know William was a member of the Purcell Scouts. We know Callaway County had no Federal troops stationed there from Aug. 7 thru Sept. 2/3, 1862. We know the Purcell scouts sheltered in Callaway County near the Givens Place the end of August. We know Krekel's Battalion arrived at Fulton around Sept. 3. We know Windmuller in Krekel's Battalion ran a scout out to the Givens Place on Sept. 4. We know that after Windmuller took control of the Givens Place civilian John Threlkeld came ambling by, supposedly on his way to a nearby mill. We know after John Threlkeld was taken prisoner the Purcell Scouts swooped in, presumably with William Threlkeld with them. And we know that Windmuller started shooting civilian prisoners including John.

That's why I was wondering if the Threlkelds had a place near to Givens -- I'm thinking the nearby land the Purcell Scouts were camped on was John Threlkeld's. That he sent word to his brother and the boys that no Federals were in Callaway come by and stay awhile, and Purcell took them there for safe haven. That when Windmuller showed up at Givens Place civilian John Threlkeld was sent to casually ride by to see what was going on.

What Purcell didn't plan on was that Windmuller and his troops were undisciplined, that they were robbing and pillaging and nabbing every person in sight. And that is when things really blew out of control -- Purcell, with over 100 Confederates moved on Windmuller, who had just 20-34 Federals -- and Windmuller panicked and perpetrated the Prairie Grove Massacre.

So yes, the evidence indicates both Threlkelds were on the ground that day, but in different roles--William as combatant soldier, John as intelligence gatherer.