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John A. Poindexter
October 12, 1825(1825-10-12) – April 14, 1869
Place of birth Montgomery County, Kentucky
Place of death Randolph County, Missouri
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Service/branch Confederate States Army
Years of service 1861–1862
Rank Colonel
Battles/wars American Civil War
*Siege of Lexington
*Battle of Roan's Tan Yard
*Battle of Pea Ridge
*Battle of Compton's Ferry

John A. Poindexter (October 12, 1825 – April 14, 1869) was a colonel in the Confederate Army American Civil War. He and Joseph C. Porter were the primary recruiting commanders in northern Missouri during 1862.

Contents

[edit] Early life and career

John A. Poindexter was born October 12, 1825 in Montgomery County, Kentucky to David and Elizabeth (Watts) Poindexter.[1] John married twice, first to Melissa who died, then to Martha K. Hayes in 1857. The 1860 census marks John as a prosperous trader in Scott County, Kentucky.

[edit] Civil War

Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Poindexter was commissioned captain of Company A of the 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Division of the Missouri State Guard in June of 1861.[2] He and his men held up a train in August. He served at the Siege of Lexington in command of several independent companies.[3] Following the battle he was elected Colonel of the 5th Infantry Regiment, Third Division of the Missouri State Guard on September 24, 1861. [4] While recruiting in Howard County, Missouri Poindexter and his regiment were surprised and defeated at the Battle of Roan's Tan Yard on January 7, 1862 scattering his command. [5]

Poindexter next fought in command of a consolidated skeleton of the 4th & 5th cavalry regiment of the Missouri State Guard at the Battle of Pea Ridge where he was slightly wounded. [6] Following the defeat Poindexter resumed recruiting in North Missouri while Porter recruited in Northeast Missouri. Poindexter was less successful. After Odon Guitar struck a blow against Porter at Moore's Mill, he turned his attentions to pursuing Poindexter. In August Guitar's forces succeeded in overrunning and completely scattering Poindexter's command at the Battle of Compton’s Ferry. Wounded, Poindexter could only evade capture until September 1 and would never again serve the Confederacy.

[edit] Post-capture and death

Following his capture, Poindexter was held while Union authorities considered trying and executing him as a guerrilla either by military tribunal or in a civilian court.

SAINT LOUIS, MO., September 9, 1862. Brig. Gen. LEWIS MERRILL: I think Poindexter had better be tried by military commission. I believe I can secure the execution of a sentence. J. M. SCHOFIELD, Brigadier-General.

[7]

Trans-Mississippi commander T.C. Hindman attempted to intervene pointing out that Poindexter was a CSA officer. James Totten replied:

"I understand the facts to be that when arrested he was in citizen's garb, at a private house, and within our lines. If so, he is by the laws of war a spy and should be treated accordingly."

[8]

However, Poindexter eventually publicly disavowed guerrilla warfare and was paroled to his home for the remainder of the war.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Saint Louis, Mo., June 15, 1864. General FISK, Saint Joseph, Mo.: I have seen Poindexter, of Randolph, who is under bonds, and written him a note to use his influence in favor of law and order among the rebel sympathizers. Keep the secret and give needful orders to secure him from molestation or outrage. He will do good. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.

[9]

His health never recovered and he died in 1869.

[edit] References

  1. ^ ["Col. John A. Poindexter", Gloria M. Atwater]
  2. ^ Lindberg, McGhee, etc, Sterling Price's Lieutenants, Two Trails Publishing, page 111.
  3. ^ The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume LIII, page 438
  4. ^ Lindberg, McGhee, etc, Sterling Price's Lieutenants, Two Trails Publishing, page 126
  5. ^ Moore, Frank, The Rebellion Record, Volume 4, G.P. Putnam, 1862, page 25-27, Doc. 10,
  6. ^ The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume VIII, page 319
  7. ^ The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series II, Volume IV, page 500
  8. ^ The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume XIII, page 647
  9. ^ The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 64, page 397