Quote Originally Posted by cajunscot View Post
Given the Ozark County residence, I would daresay that this gentleman might have served in the Missouri State Guard, a pro-Southern militia that was not in the Confederate Army. Missouri did not seceed from the Union until October of 1861, and even then Missouri raised more men for Federal Service than it did for the Confederacy.

I just ran the name in the National Park Service's Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, and two Benjamin F. Howards are listed; one serving with the 3rd MO Cavalry (CS) and the other with the 4th MO Cavalry (CS); both units had a number of men who had prior service in the State Guard.

It would be interesting to see if he is listed in the MSG rolls; I can check them the next time I talk to the librarian at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.

Regards,

Todd
Thanks for the info. There seems to be a lot more info on my relatives who served in the Union army (which is to be expected). What I posted about B.F. Howard is all I have in regard to his Civil War service. He and his older brother, Isaac, were born in Foster, RI and moved out west in their early twenties. Here is what I have on Isaac...

Dr. Isaac Howard: At the outbreak of the Civil War he went to Marshfield, Webster County, MO, where he practiced medicine and served as one of the home guards.

It seems to me that, since Isaac is listed as having specifically served in the home guard, Benjamin would have been listed the same way had he not served in the CSA army. That's just speculation based on the documentation I have. I'd love to find out if you learn more.