Matthews, Robert Pinckney (1837-1891), Souvenir of the Holland Company Home Guards and Phelp's Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, ca. 1890 (C1160)

1 volume

INTRODUCTION

Robert Pinckney Matthews' "souvenir" is a memoir of his time in the Home Guards and "Phelps" regiment, 1861-1862.

DONOR INFORMATION

A typescript of Matthews' memoir was donated to the State Historical Society of Missouri by Herbert C. Matthews on 25 January 1958. Herbert C. Matthews retained the original of the memoir.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Robert Pinckney Matthews was born in Maury County, Tennessee, on 22 October 1837, the son of Andrew B. and Martha C. (Murphy) Matthews. He moved to Greene County, Missouri, when he was eighteen and was a student at "Christian College" in Springfield, Missouri, in the Spring of 1861. The sentiments of the teachers at the school were pro-Southern and when Matthews spoke up in support of the Union "school was made decidedly unpleasant for" him and other Union supporters. They withdrew from the school.

In June Matthews joined a home guard. The Home Guards were not yet officially organized; each company was an independent organization. Eventually the home guards came under federal control and became part of the Missouri Volunteer Infantry.

Matthews' memoir recounts events around Springfield, including the Battle of Wilson's Creek and the Battle of Pea Ridge. He was wounded at the Battle of Pea Ridge and mustered out of the Home Guards in 1862. He later joined the 8th Missouri Cavalry and mustered out in 1864.

He returned to Greene County, married Mary Jane Rainey, and engaged in farming and teaching. He died on 18 December 1891.

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.

  • Civil War--Battle of Pea Ridge
  • Civil War--Battle of Springfield
  • Civil War--Battle of Wilson's Creek
  • Civil War--Memoirs
  • Civil War--Missouri
  • Holland, C.B. (1816-1901)
  • Matthews, Robert Pinckney (1837-1891)
  • Missouri, Greene County
  • Missouri, Springfield
  • Missouri. Home Guards, Holland Company
  • Missouri. Infantry, 24 Regiment, Volunteers
  • Missouri. Infantry, Phelps Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, Company C
  • Missouri. Infantry, Phelps Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, Company D