The troops he commanded, the Missouri State Guardsmen, did participate in the battle of Pea Ridge but Parsons was absent. Parsons was absent seeking an appointment in the CS Army at Richmond?
Yes
From Danny's personal files:
…It was therefore thought advisable by Gen Price to send Gen Parsons & Col Kelly to Richmond to represent to the War Dept our true condition. Gen Parsons started about the 1
st of Jan & as my health was bad it was thought best by the Surgeon that I should spend the winter in the south. I accordingly applied for a furlough, which he granted, & I accompanied him on the route as far as Memphis…
Gen Parsons' party consisted of himself, Col Kelly, Lt Col Buchanan, the hack driver, & a valet-de-chamber, called Sol. The other party consisted of Lt Lesueur, Capt Miller, Ed. Bland, Howard Roache & myself, all mounted on good animals. The General's party took the stage road to Des Arc, intending to take water that point for Memphis, while or party took the shortest route over the Boston Mountains to Grand Glase, a point higher up on While River than Des Arc. Here our party also intended to take water, but after arriving at Grand Glase some of us thought it would be cheaper to go by land, as we would have to board our animals if we left them behind.
When we reached Memphis, we found that the General's party had been there several days. We stopped at the Gayoso, the most fashionable house in the place, & after buying new uniforms, put on considerable "airs." Capt. Miller's party did not arrive for several days after our arrival. Memphis, at this time, was a gay place, & every street was crowded with officers & soldiers "in grey."
Soon after our arrival, Gen Parsons & Col Kelly left for Richmond. I remained in Memphis long enough to get well, & selling "Nelly" took the steamer "Gen. Price" for Jacksonport, from which place I intended to go to Springfield, or wherever my command might be.
4/8/62 Des Arc-G O #26 MSG
I. Brig Gen M. M. Parsons is hereby specially detailed to the command of all the MSG now in the field, & will immediately organize them into Co's, Bns, & Regts, according to law.
II. The army corps to be thus organized will consist exclusively of Infy & Arty.
III. The Gen cdg will report as soon as practicable the entire force in the MSG now remaining, rank & file.
By order of the Governor: Warwick Hough, AG of Missouri
7/13/62 Hqs Dept, No. 2, S O #115 Tupelo
I. The MSG, under command of Brig Gen M. M. Parsons, are relieved from further service east of the Ms River, & will proceed with the least practicable delay to join the forces of Maj-Gen Hindman as soon as practicable.
[in Arkansas] The Gen cdg desires to express to Gen Parsons & his gallant officers & men his high appreciation of their patriotic devotion to the cause in which we are engaged, which has ever distinguished the citizens of Missouri in the armies of the CS.
II the QM's dept will furnish the necessary means of transportation to facilitate the earliest possible execution of this order. By command of Gen Bragg:
Official Records
7/13/62 The Guard had been detained from leaving until now [over a month] while waiting for a wagon train of arms & supplies to be gathered for the Trans Miss.
With Parsons East of the River
https://books.google.com/books?pg=P...Sc&id=Nx4rAAAAYAAJ&ots=5ov5-oSww4&output=text
8/14/62 Gen Parsons, Richland, from Hindman-absence under orders has delayed action on your application. The policy I adopted as essential to success was that but one military organization should exist in the Dept. I proposed this to Gen Rains & Gen McBride with the condition that they should be recognized by me as CS Brig Gen'ls subject to approval by War Dept & that their men should transfer to the C.S.A. service for their unexpired terms. Both officers & their men accepted
If you consent, I will propose to Gen Holmes the same arrangement to you & your command & that you be ordered to Fort Smith immediately to command a Div to consist of your own & Gen Rains' Bgdes & thence into Missouri as soon as organized. Let me hear from you immediately
Alexander Papers
8/14/62 Gen Parsons, Richland-your report was referred to Gen Holmes-he directs me to say that your rank in the Missouri forces will be recognized & you will command accordingly while you are subject to his orders. He directs that you move with your command of Missouri Cav & Arty & Ark Cav to a point near Clarendon where enemy is said to be in force. The object in placing you in front of the enemy is to avail of your experience & intelligence. Col Parsons with a [Texas] Cav force & Btry is above Clarendon & will be subject to your orders. The Gen hopes the present will be for you the beginning of a much longer march towards your home. Gen Holmes letter to you containing the above order is sent now by courier
. Alexander Papers
8/29/62 Gen Parsons returned from Little Rock today & tells us that we must re-enlist or go home & we can't go home & nor want to go
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