The Story of My Ancestor and the Bushwhackers of Missouri

Bamaboy, have you seen these links? The first three concern the 15th MO Cav. Your ancestor, William, is on the roster of Co. F.

https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/15th_Regiment,_Missouri_Cavalry_-_Confederate

https://sites.google.com/site/rcmacw/ripley-county-civil-war-soldiers/15th-missouri-cavalry

http://www.missouridivision-scv.org/mounits/15mo-cav.htm

A unit history is available here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0962392227/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

Or here: http://civilwarbooklady.com/products/a-history-of-the-15th-missouri-cavalery-regiment-csa

I found less on the 68th, but there was a nice article about it in PDF form. It was an Enrolled Missouri Militia unit and the differences between those units and the Missouri State Militias are well-explained here:

https://mostateparks.com/sites/default/files/FD Related1.pdf

I saw what might have been a partial roster. I didn't see your other ancestor listed. However, maybe his enlistment was up when the roster was written.
Man thanks so much. I'm kinda stumped though. These two F William Brantley and George L Brantley. All family records point to both being in the service to the CSA. Maybe my numbers on that 68 are wrong. It took forever to find George L listed anywhere. They quite literally could have been skirmishing brothers on opposite sides.
 
Man thanks so much. I'm kinda stumped though. These two F William Brantley and George L Brantley. All family records point to both being in the service to the CSA. Maybe my numbers on that 68 are wrong. It took forever to find George L listed anywhere. They quite literally could have been skirmishing brothers on opposite sides.
I just googled "68th MO Inf" and came up with that EMM article. I didn't pursue it any further, but note that your ancestor is not listed on the roster there. As I said, there could be a number of explanations.

Maybe there was also a 68th MO in Confederate service (if so, I didn't see it). Or, maybe your ancestor served on both sides at different times. This actually happened to some boys who were captured and paroled or pardoned early in the way. They went home, intending to honor their paroles and then were forced to join the EMM. This nearly happened to the Quantrill man, John McCorckle. He went home to live on his uncle's farm and abide by his parole. When he was ordered to join the EMM, he went to the bush and joined Quantrill instead. Perhaps your ancestor was in a similar fix and saw no recourse but to join the militia.
 
I just googled "68th MO Inf" and came up with that EMM article. I didn't pursue it any further, but note that your ancestor is not listed on the roster there. As I said, there could be a number of explanations.

Maybe there was also a 68th MO in Confederate service (if so, I didn't see it). Or, maybe your ancestor served on both sides at different times. This actually happened to some boys who were captured and paroled or pardoned early in the way. They went home, intending to honor their paroles and then were forced to join the EMM. This nearly happened to the Quantrill man, John McCorckle. He went home to live on his uncle's farm and abide by his parole. When he was ordered to join the EMM, he went to the bush and joined Quantrill instead. Perhaps your ancestor was in a similar fix and saw no recourse but to join the militia.

Very possible. I'm going to reach out to some family members. Well (other descendants of my great great great grandfathers nephew) and see. I know the father of these 2 brothers owned slaves in GA sometime in the 1850s. I heard from my grandmother many years ago that they were described as diehard Confederates. I wish she was still living where I could ask the million questions I had.
 
Very possible. I'm going to reach out to some family members. Well (other descendants of my great great great grandfathers nephew) and see. I know the father of these 2 brothers owned slaves in GA sometime in the 1850s. I heard from my grandmother many years ago that they were described as diehard Confederates. I wish she was still living where I could ask the million questions I had.
You might also spend some time online with the Missouri State Archives. If your ancestor ever served in an Enrolled Missouri Militia unit, there ought to be a record of it in the archives. It might get a little frustrating without real specific search terms. I noted there was a 68th EMM and also a 68th Colored Infantry, so their search engine is going to bombard you with results from both, depending on your search terms. I didn't try to search your ancestor's name.
 
You might also spend some time online with the Missouri State Archives. If your ancestor ever served in an Enrolled Missouri Militia unit, there ought to be a record of it in the archives. It might get a little frustrating without real specific search terms. I noted there was a 68th EMM and also a 68th Colored Infantry, so their search engine is going to bombard you with results from both, depending on your search terms. I didn't try to search your ancestor's name.
Man thanks for your help. I appreciate it.
 
I have some Confederate Missouri family that I or anyone else so far have been able to locate info on. William Brantley 15th MO calv comp F
George L Brantley 68th MO infantry? comp K
The 68th may have been some type of state militia or home guard. I'm at a loss.
I find it so interesting that union and confederate regiments were formed so close together. Never did the war tear famillies and communities apart so often as in border states like MO.
 
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