| John A. Poindexter | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 12, 1825 Montgomery County, Kentucky |
| Died | April 14, 1869 (aged 43) Randolph County, Missouri |
| Place of burial | Antioch Cemetery, near Moberly, Missouri |
| Allegiance | United States of America 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 during the American Civil War. He and Joseph C. Porter were the primary recruiting commanders in northern Missouri during 1862.
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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 Poindexter as a prosperous trader in Scott County, Kentucky.
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 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 regiments 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.
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.
Trans-Mississippi commander Thomas 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."
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.[9]
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.[11]
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.