John A. Poindexter
Encyclopedia
John A. Poindexter was a colonel
in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War
. He and Joseph C. Porter
were the primary recruiting commanders in northern Missouri during 1862.
, to David and Elizabeth (Watts) Poindexter. John married twice, first to Melissa who died, then to Martha K. Hayes in 1857. The 1860 census marks Poindexter as a prosperous trader in Scott County, Kentucky
.
in June 1861. He and his men held up a train in August. He served at the Siege of Lexington
in command of several independent companies. Following the battle he was elected colonel
of the 5th Infantry Regiment, Third Division of the Missouri State Guard on September 24, 1861. 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.
Poindexter next fought in command of a consolidated skeleton of the 4th & 5th Cavalry regiments of the Missouri State Guard at the Battle of Pea Ridge
where he was slightly wounded. 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.
either by military tribunal or in a civilian court.
Trans-Mississippi commander Thomas C. Hindman
attempted to intervene pointing out that Poindexter was a CSA officer. James Totten
replied:
However, Poindexter eventually publicly disavowed guerrilla warfare and was paroled to his home for the remainder of the war under a bond of $10,000.
During August, 1864, Poindexter was forced to leave his home fearing both the wrath of Unionists who considered him a bushwacker and Southern sympathizers who considered him a traitor. He sought the protection of Union authorities from both threats.
His health never recovered from his earlier wounds and imprisonment and he died April 14, 1869. He is interred at Antioch Cemetery near Moberly, Missouri
.
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He and Joseph C. Porter
Joseph C. Porter
Joseph Chrisman Porter was a Confederate officer in the American Civil War, a key leader in the guerrilla campaigns in northern Missouri, and a figure of controversy. The main source for his history, Joseph A...
were the primary recruiting commanders in northern Missouri during 1862.
Early life and career
John A. Poindexter was born October 12, 1825, in Montgomery County, KentuckyMontgomery County, Kentucky
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 26,499. Its county seat is Mount Sterling. With regard to the sale of alcohol, it is classified as a moist county—a county in which alcohol sales are prohibited , but containing a "wet" city where package...
, to David and Elizabeth (Watts) Poindexter. John married twice, first to Melissa who died, then to Martha K. Hayes in 1857. The 1860 census marks Poindexter as a prosperous trader in Scott County, Kentucky
Scott County, Kentucky
Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 47,173 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Georgetown.Scott County is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
.
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 GuardMissouri State Guard
The Missouri State Guard was a state militia organized in the state of Missouri during the early days of the American Civil War. While not initially a formal part of the Confederate States Army, the State Guard fought alongside Confederate troops and, at times, under regular Confederate...
in June 1861. He and his men held up a train in August. He served at the Siege of Lexington
Battle of Lexington I
The First Battle of Lexington also known as the Battle of the Hemp Bales, was an engagement of the American Civil War, occurring from September 13 to September 20, 1861, between the Union Army and the pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard, in Lexington, the county seat of Lafayette County, Missouri...
in command of several independent companies. Following the battle he was elected colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the 5th Infantry Regiment, Third Division of the Missouri State Guard on September 24, 1861. While recruiting in Howard County, Missouri Poindexter and his regiment were surprised and defeated at the Battle of Roan's Tan Yard
Battle of Roan's Tan Yard
The Battle of Roan's Tan Yard was an action during the American Civil War, occurring on January 8, 1862, in Randolph County, Missouri....
on January 7, 1862 scattering his command.
Poindexter next fought in command of a consolidated skeleton of the 4th & 5th Cavalry regiments of the Missouri State Guard at the Battle of Pea Ridge
Battle of Pea Ridge
The Battle of Pea Ridge was a land battle of the American Civil War, fought on March 6–8, 1862, at Pea Ridge in northwest Arkansas, near Garfield. In the battle, Union forces led by Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis defeated Confederate troops under Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn. The outcome of the...
where he was slightly wounded. Following the defeat, Poindexter resumed recruiting in North Missouri while Porter recruited in Northeast Missouri. Poindexter was less successful. After Odon Guitar
Odon Guitar
Odon Guitar was a general in the Union Missouri State Militia during the American Civil War. He was noted for his successful campaign against Joseph C. Porter and John A. Poindexter’s recruiting commands in northern Missouri.-Early life and career:Odon Guitar was born in Richmond, Madison County,...
struck a blow against Porter at Moore's Mill
Battle of Moore's Mill
The Battle of Moore’s Mill was an American Civil War battle that took place in northeast Missouri on July 28, 1862 along Auxvasse Creek near modern day Calwood...
, 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
Battle of Compton's Ferry
The Battle of Compton's Ferry was an action during the American Civil War, occurring August 11, 1862, along the Grand River....
. Wounded, Poindexter could only evade capture until September 1 and would never again serve the Confederacy.
Post-capture and death
Following his capture, Poindexter was held while Union authorities considered trying and executing him as a guerrillaGuerrilla warfare in the American Civil War
Guerrilla warfare in the American Civil War followed the same general patterns of irregular warfare conducted in 19th century Europe. Structurally, they can be divided into three different types of operations—the so-called 'People's War', 'partisan warfare', and 'raiding warfare'...
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.
Trans-Mississippi commander Thomas C. Hindman
Thomas C. Hindman
Thomas Carmichael Hindman, Jr. was a lawyer, United States Representative from the 1st Congressional District of Arkansas, and a Major General in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War....
attempted to intervene pointing out that Poindexter was a CSA officer. James Totten
James Totten
James Totten was a career American soldier who served in the United States Army and retired from active service in 1870 as the Assistant Inspector General...
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."
However, Poindexter eventually publicly disavowed guerrilla warfare and was paroled to his home for the remainder of the war under a bond of $10,000.
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.
During August, 1864, Poindexter was forced to leave his home fearing both the wrath of Unionists who considered him a bushwacker and Southern sympathizers who considered him a traitor. He sought the protection of Union authorities from both threats.
His health never recovered from his earlier wounds and imprisonment and he died April 14, 1869. He is interred at Antioch Cemetery near Moberly, Missouri
Moberly, Missouri
Moberly is a city in Randolph County, Missouri, United States. According to the 2008 census bureau estimate, the population was 14,227. The city was incorporated 1868. The Moberly Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Randolph County....
.