Interesting in hearing from anyone who had an ancestor who enlisted in the
BENTON CADETS in the Civil War. This regiment which is often mistakenly referred to as Fremont's Guards, had 7 companies in it, 2 of which (Companies E & F) were raised nearly entirely in
Shelby County. Two companies would be between 180 and 200 recruites. Company E was commanded by Captain
Rogers and Captain
Abraham Kaga. Company F was commanded by Captain Thomas L Young. The regiment was recruited to serve as General John C. Fremont's infantry body guard in
Missouri. These men enlisted from Sept to Nov of 1861 and were most probably mustered in at
BENTON Barracks,
Missouri, which is most probably how they got their name. When General
Fremont was sacked by
President Lincoln in late 1861, the regiment was discharged uncerimoniously on January 8, 1862. My GG Grandfather, William Wesley
STEWART was in this regiment. I have located another dozen members who either died during their service or reenlisted in other outfits and died then (they are listed in "
Fallen Heros of the Civil War - Shelby County's Roll of
Honor.") I have found some letters written to and about the Cadets in the
Ohio archives. Unfortunately,
Missouri archives has nothing on the
Ohio members of this regiment. Would like to piece together the history of this outfit with some help.
Bandit@erinet.com