July 28, 2011 — A “Kostro” participated in the Civil War

Dear William (and Daniel, Catherine, Michael & Baby Girl Y) (and your parents), (and any future descendants and their parents),

Did you know that a “Kostro” participated in the Civil War? Yes — Private Otto Kostro, Company F, 3rd Regiment, Missouri State Militia Cavalry (2nd Organization). By the way, I suspect that he is not a relative, but you never know.

During the Civil War, the state of Missouri had many types of Union military organizations. The Missouri State Militia was raised in Missouri in December 1861-April 1862. Men who enlisted in these units were to serve within state boundaries. The MSM consisted initially of one regiment of infantry and one company of sappers and miners; two batteries of light artillery; and 14 regiments, three battalions, and one independent company of cavalry. All MSM enlistees were mustered out by July 1865.

The 3rd Regiment, Missouri State Militia Cavalry (2nd Organization) was reorganized from 10th Regiment State Militia Cavalry on February 2, 1863. It was attached to the District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri, to June, 1863; then, to the District of Southeast Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to July, 1863; and then, to the District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri, to July, 1865.

It moved from Pilot Knob to Patterson, Mo., March 16, 1863.

It engaged in operations:

  1. Against Marmaduke April 20-May 1, 1863.
  2. Patterson April 20.
  3. Fredericktown April 22.
  4. Castor River, near Bloomfield, April 29.
  5. Bloomfield April 29-30.
  6. Chalk Bluff, St. Francis River, April 30-May 1.
  7. Near Doniphan June 1 (Detachment).
  8. Expedition from Cape Girardeau and Pilot Knob to Pocahontas, Ark., August 17-26.
  9. Oregon County October 23.
  10. Scout from Cape Girardeau to Doniphan and Pocahontas, Ark., October 26-November 12 (Detachment).
  11. Scout from Pilot Knob to Doniphan, Ark., October 29-November 5 (Detachment).
  12. Reeve’s attack on Centreville December 23.
  13. Pursuit of Reeves December 23-25.
  14. Puliam’s December 25.
  15. Bolinger County January 14, 1864.
  16. Scout from Patterson to Cherokee Bay, Ark., January 20-27 (Detachment).
  17. Poplar Bluff February 27.
  18. Scout from Pilot Knob to Arkansas line, and skirmishes March 16-25 (Detachment).
  19. Oregon County March 19.
  20. Wayne County April 26.
  21. Scout from Patterson May 6-11 (Co. “A”).
  22. Randolph County May 8.
  23. Cherokee Bay, Ark., May 8 (Co. “A”).
  24. Near St. James June 10.
  25. Scout from Patterson to Buffalo July 8-12 (Detachment).
  26. Operations in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas July 18-August 6.
  27. Scatterville, Ark., July 28 (Detachment).
  28. Osceola August 2.
  29. Elkchute August 4.
  30. Near Rocheport September 3 (Detachment).
  31. Caledonia September 12 (Detachment).
  32. Scout in Randolph, Howard and Boone Counties September 15-19 (Detachment).
  33. Columbia September 16 (Detachment).
  34. Doniphan September 19.
  35. Ponder’s Mill, Little Black River, September 20.
  36. Near Rocheport September 23 (Detachment).
  37. Ironton September 26.
  38. Shut-in Gap and Arcadia Valley September 26.
  39. Fort Davidson, Pilot Knob, September 26-27.
  40. Arcadia Valley September 27 (Detachment).
  41. Caledonia September 28 (Co. “C”).
  42. Leesburg October 1.
  43. Ponder’s Mills October 3.
  44. Moreau Bottom, Jefferson City, October 7.
  45. Independence October 22 and 26.
  46. Pilot Knob October 26.
  47. Leesburg October 28.
  48. Duty at Weston, St. Joe, Liberty, Parksville, Pleasant Hill and Lone Jack, operating against guerrillas January to July, 1865.
  49. Mustered out July 13, 1865.

The Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 57 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 102 Enlisted men by disease. Total 164.

The Missouri State Militia saw hard service during the course of the war and was the primary force that engaged the guerrilla threat in the state. It was also the first line of defense when Confederate regulars made major raids into the state in 1863 and 1864 and suffered heavy losses on those occasions (the 3rd MSM Cavalry played a very critical role in preventing St. Louis from falling to Confederate forces in 1864).

ClearAll

William — War is hell; and do NOT listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.

Love,

Dziadziuś Paweł.

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