Just a comment - A cousin of Margaret Watts Hays, Simeon Francis Gashwiler, was om Wood's Reg, LA. His family (John Watts Gashwiler) lived in Randolph Co.,MO and Simeon was living there in 1860, a farmer. I have wondered how and why he was in Louisana in 1861. He survived the war and lived in San Francisco, CA

Gashwilder, S. F., Pvt. Co. A. Woods Cav. Appears on Roll for Aug. 29, 1861, to April 30, 1862 (only Roll on file). En. Feb. 28, 1862, Tensas Pa., shows him present.

S. F. Gashwiler, Woods Cav. 29 Aug 1861 NCarants 15th Battalion.
Ref: Louisiana Confederate Soldiers