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Died on his plantation, in Sunflower County, Miss., W. M. Duncan, on January 17, 1915, aged seventy-two years, He was born near Jefferson City, Mo., and was among the first to volunteer under the call of Governor Jackson for troops to defend the State against invasion. While in the Missouri State Guard he took part in all the engagements in that State-Springfield, Wilson's Creek, and Lexington. Having served out the time for which he volunteered, he enlisted in the 2d Missouri Regiment, C. S. A., for the war at Springfield in January, 1862, and served as a private soldier until the end. His regiment was first under General Little, who was killed at Iuka, Miss., in September, 1862, then under General Bowen until his death, in July, 1863. From that time until the close Gen. F. M. Cockrell commanded the 1st Brigade, Missouri troops. His regiment was consolidated with the 6th and known as the 2d and 6th Missouri Infantry after the surrender at Vicksburg. He fought with his command in the battle of Pea Ridge, or Elk Horn, in Arkansas, and after crossing the Mississippi in April, 1862, he was in the siege of Corinth, Iuka, second battle of Corinth, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Baker's Creek, Big Block, siege of Vicksburg, through the Georgia campaign, Allatoona, and Franklin, where he was seriously wounded. He recovered sufficiently to take part in the battle of Fort Blakely, near Mobile, where he and most of the Missourians were captured and carried to Ship Island. From there they were taken to New Orleans and then up the Mississippi by steamboat to Vicksburg, They were disembarked and walked out to Jackson, Miss., and were paroled. Missouri furnished the following regiments and batteries to the Army of Tennessee: 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, and Samuel's Battalion of Infantry (the 1st Cavalry dismounted and fought as infantry), Wade's Bledsoe's, Clark's, Guibo's, and Low's Batteries-in all probably eight thousand men. Of this number, less than five hundred were left at the surrender at Jackson in May, 1865.
SOURCE: Confederate Veteran Magazine, June, 1915.
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