FRISTOE

FRISTOE'S REGIMENT, MISSOURI CAVALRY

In May, 1864 Colonel Edward T. Fristoe of Rappahannoch, VA was appointed commander of a band of Confederate soldiers that were to be known as Fristoe's Regiment. The 35 year old Colonel took command of a unit that had began organizing in Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas in the late 1863 and early 1864.

Fristoe's Regiment was officially organized in July, 1864 with 830 officers and men. It served in the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy. During General Sterling Price's Missouri Expedition it was attached to Colonel Thomas R. Freeman's Brigade of Major General John S. Marmaduke's Division.

This unit, like most units that were organized during the Civil War, formed companies made up from the cities, towns, or counties in the area loyal to their respective cause. The age of the men ranged from 15 to 45 years of age.

The Regiment saw it's first action in Northern Arkansas in late February and early March of 1864. The unit was commanded at that time by J. H. Tracy, who led the band of about 40 Confederate guerrillas against a party of Sixth Cavalry, Missouri Militia near the North Fork of White River.

Companies were enlisted as follows with the name of the company commander(s):