Marianne: In 1861 the Missouri State Guard (MSG) was formed. It was a state militia whose purpose was to defend the state against any invading Federal troops. It was allied with, but not part of, the Confederacy. I am not absolutely certain but I believe the vast majority of the men from Missouri with southern sympathies in 1861 enlisted in the MSG rather than the regular Confederate Army. By mid 1962 when the MSG had disbanded most of the men in the MSG had since joined the Confederate Army. I do not know for certain but I believe it to be possible, if not likely, that the "Threshing Crew" from Plattin Township joined the MSG originally. I am going to share with you information on the MSG units that were raised in full or in part from Jefferson County. Perhaps you have, or can find, information that would confirm or deny this. I do not know how much you know about the MSG so I will first give you an overview. It was commanded by former Missouri Governor Major General Sterling Price. It was composed of nine divisions, one for each of the nine congressional districts at the time. Jefferson County was in the Ninth Congressional District. "The Plattin Rangers Company" was raised in Plattin Township in the early summer of 1861. It was largely composed of Jefferson County men with some men from St. Louis County. It never really served in the IX Division but served as an independent cavalry company in the I Division. The company was commanded by Captain White Kennett, First Lieutenant Harry Churchhill and Second Lieutenant Charles B. Tilden. The uniforms of the Plattin Rangers consisted of red caps, red shirts and grey pants. "The Dixie Rangers Company" was raised in Jefferson and St. Francois Counties, contained men mostly from Jefferson County and was organized July 10, 1861. They mustered out on December 24, 1861 in New Madrid. They never served with the IX Division. They served as Company D, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, I Division. The company was commanded by Captain John J. Smith, First Lieutenants C. D. Payne and R. Burris, Second Lieutenant Felix Murray and Third Lieutenants Captain Benjamin Tyler and J. Essellman. "The Iron, Jefferson, Madison, Reynolds & Washington Counties Company" was organized July 5, 1861 and mustered out December 27, 1861 in New Madrid. They never served with the IX Division. They served as Company A, Third Cavalry Regiment, I Division. They often operated independently and were referred to as "White's Partisan Ranger Company." They were commanded by Captain James D. White, First Lieutenants Captain Whitaker A. Martin and Merrill Park, Second Lieutenant Thomas B. Sandford and Third Lieutenant William T. Relfe. "The Jefferson & St. Francois Counties Company" was organized September 12, 1861 and mustered out December 24, 1861 at New Madrid. They never served with the IX Division. They served as Company F, Second Cavalry Regiment, I Division. They were commanded by Captain O. D. Turley, First Lieutenant William Simpson, Second Lieutenant James Moore and Third Lieutenant William S. Wilcox. I share this information with you in the hope that we may learn that our ancestors from the Threshing Crew may have joined one of these units. Perhaps one of the names I have provided you with will match up with names you have in your records. Jared