12th Missouri Infantry

The 12^th Missouri (White's/Ponder's) was organized in August 1862 at Couch Springs (South of Alton, MO) from men previously in the 1^st Division of the Missouri State Guard. Several companies were made up of men residing in Ripley County.

The Regiment was mustered into service with the Confederate Army on October 22, 1862 at Yellville, AR. Major battles of the 12^th were: Prairie Grove - Nov 1862 (15 killed, 57 wounded); Helena AR - July 1863 (12 killed, 50 wounded); Pleasant Hill LA - April 1864 (4 killed, 10 wounded); Jenkins Ferry, Camden AR - April 1864 (1 killed 2 mortally wounded). Following this battle the remaining companies were consolidated into the 10th Missouri Infantry. The men were paroled at Shreveport, LA on July 8, 1865.

Total casualties for the war: 36 Battle Deaths, 101 Deaths due to Illness, 3 Executed by Federals.

Commanding Officers of the Regiment

Colonel: James Daniel White, reassigned to provost marshal duty August 28, 1863; Willis Miles Ponder, made prisoner April 18, 1864

Lieutenant Colonel: Willis Miles Ponder, promoted Colonel August 28, 1963; Benjamin Holmes

Major: Thomas B. Sandford, killed July 4, 1863; Benjamin Holmes, promoted Lieutenant Colonel August 28, 1863; Richard Berryman

McGhee, James E. Guide to Missouri Confederate Units, 1861-1865 Fayetteville: The University of Arkansas Press , 2008 pp 229-233

A roster of the Unit can be found at the Missouri Division, Sons of the Confederacy Website. Companies A, G, H, I and K were organized in whole or part by Ripley County residents.

First person account of the 12th Missouri Infantry was written by WCS Lackey. in a letter written to the children of Sgt. Ancil Matthews.