Missouri Union Cavalryman, Stephen E. Crouch, 15th Missouri Cavalry had Rebel "family ties" back in East Tennessee. His father, Allen Crouch, was one of 13 children born to Jesse Hitter Crouch Sr. and Mary Nance. Two of Allen's older brothers and Stephen's uncles were twins Jesse Jr. and Jonathan Crouch. On June 6, 1863, in Sullivan County, Tennessee, the 54-year-old twins enlisted in Captain Trevitt's Company of Confederate Home-Guard, "The Sullivan County, Reserves".
Son of Allen & Jane Hickman Crouch. Born in Greene County,(east) Tennessee, approximately 1846. Enrolled to serve 20 months, Nov.1,1863 at Mt.Vernon, Mo. Mustered at Springfield, Mo. July 15, 1864. 18 year-old farmer,5'10',hazel eyes, fair complexion,light-colored hair. Died at home of 'consumption',May 20,1865. Buried Round Grove Cemetery, Round Grove, Lawrence County, Missouri. Stephen had Confederate cousins from east Tennessee.
Many thanks to
@Zella for assistance with Stephen's record!
Fifteenth Cavalry
MISSOURI UNION VOLUNTEERS
(20-MONTHS)
Fifteenth Cavalry. -- Col., John D. Allen, Lieut.-Col..
Benjamin D. Smith; Majs., W. B. Mitchell, Wick Morgan, J. M.
Moore.
This regiment was originally the 7th provisional regiment
Enrolled Missouri militia, and was mustered into the U. S.
service for a period of 20 months dating from Nov. 1, 1863,
the order for the muster coming from the war department on
June 10, 1864.
The first order for the organization of the regiment came from
the governor's office on March 12, 1863, and it was mustered
into the state service on April 1, with 629 men. From that
time until the following autumn it was on duty in the western
part of the state, clearing the country of guerrillas and
protecting the property of loyal citizens.
In the months of September and October another battalion was
added and the regiment fully organized and equipped as a
cavalry regiment. It was the first to start in pursuit of the
Confederate Gen. Jo. Shelby, when he entered Missouri,
following him as far north as the Osage River, and then back
to the Arkansas line, signally defeating him in Barry County.
After being mustered into the U. S. service it was attached to
Sanborn's brigade and played a conspicuous part in the pursuit
of the Confederate forces under Gen. Price, during that
officer's invasion of Missouri.
Concerning the regiment the adjutant-general says in his
report for 1865: "While they have not had the same
opportunities as other regiments to win laurels on the field
in open combat, they are none the less deserving the praise
and lasting gratitude of Southwest Missouri, from the fact
that they have constantly had to meet not the open enemy but
the subtle, wily and intriguing guerrilla and bushwhacker, who
make their assaults from the brush thicket and dense grove,
leaving them but little chance for defense, and subjecting
them to greater danger than those who have to meet the enemy
with something like equal chances."
The regiment was mustered out on July 1, 1865.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 278
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Two weeks later George Anderson Crouch, son of Jonathan, (and Stephen's 1st cousin), enlisted in a Washington County Home-Guard unit, Lieut W.W.Blair's Company "The Young Rebels of Jonesboro". He served as a 1st Sergeant.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36649501/jesse-hiter-crouch
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101969711/jessie-hiter-crouch
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71920638/jonathan-mulkey-crouch
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75774393/allen-crouch
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76426885/stephen-e_-crouch