Captain Mastin Breeden, Company G

Mastin Breeden was born Jan. 28, 1830, in Indiana, probably in Putnam Co. His parents were Delany Brooks & Russell Breeden. (It may be of interest that Russell's first cousin was the notorious Col. Fielding Hurst 6th Tennessee Federal Cavalry). In 1856 Mastin moved to Golden City, Barton Co., MO, from the family home near Bois d'Arc, Greene Co. MO. They had moved to Greene Co. about 1840. I do not know just what Mastin's role was at this time in the guerrilla warfare between Freestate men and Pro-slave factions in nearby Kansas. This area was probably involved to a considerable extent in the raids that went on between the two. It is likely that the scouting referred to in a letter from James Montgomery to Gen. James H. Lane written in Osawatomie, Miami County, Kansas, Dec. 8, 1861, refers to activities starting at an earlier date. ".....our faithful scouts (Breeden and Nelson) brought me accurate information of the enemy's movements, though they obtained it with great difficulty, being shot at not less than one hundred times." (Official Records) It is also possible that this refers to Preston Breedon, Mastin's brother, who served throughout the war as a scout. Dec. 16, 1850 Mastin married Lily R. Ward, she died June 6, 1863. Children: John N. Jan. 25, 1852; Delany 1857; George Douglas ca 1859. Dec. 16, 1863 married Margaret Cowan White. Children: Wm. Sherman Feb. 14, 1868; Andrew Jackson Jan. 12, 1873; Alice M. 1876; Peter Cooper Sept 23, 1879. In the census of 1870 his real estate was valued at $1500 and his personal property at $4500. He became a Justice of the Peace and served many terms as Post Commander of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mastin died July 10, 1905, and is buried in the new cemetery in Golden City. One of his sisters told these stories. Guerrilla bands of both sides swarmed over the area before and during the war. One such group stopped at Mastin's farm. Lily was in bed ill of tuberculosis. They demanded money and threatened to harm her son, John, if she did not give them some. Lily jumped from the bed and one of the men threw coals from the fireplace into it. Another man put the fire out, but they stole her new sidesaddle, took the clock off the wall and jumped on it, tore up clothing, and in general vandalized. When Mastin and his soldiers arrived soon afterwards, Douglas, another son, ran out saying that "The damned Secesh had been there and stomped on his new white hat." Mastin and his men pursued the band and killed several. Once Mastin was captured and was accused of serious crimes. One of the Confederate soldiers was a man named Jim Mills who knew Mastin and spoke up for him. He also got word to Mastin that he had a fast horse which he had left conveniently nearby, and if convicted that Mastin should make a run for it. Mastin was acquitted and exchanged for a Confederate prisoner. A more dramatic version has Mastin drawing a concealed single shot pistol from his boot and seizing a horse Jim Mills left nearby for him. This is probably the action the affidavit of Minor Gentry refers to: From the Official Records: Lamar, Mo., November 5, 1862 Sir; I have the honor to report that I was attacked last night by a band of rebels, numbering some 200 or 300*. I fought them some two and a half hours from houses and every way. The rebels rushed in and burned about one-third of the town. They killed 3 of my men and wounded 3 mortally, I think. We held the town and still hold it. We killed 5 or 6 of the rebels. I shall stay here until I hear from you. We would like to have some more men in this part of the country. Three squads have passed through this country within the past week, numbering in all about 1,000. They are all going south. If I had 150 more men here I think I could capture the squads that are passing through this country. I am not strong enough to organize the militia in Jasper County. Yours, with respect, M. Breeden, Captain *Quantrill's band. If Minor Gentry's affidavit is correct in his recollection that Mastin was with the Regiment in January of 1863 then he may have been with some of his regiment at an outpost near Beaver Lake known as Fort Lawrence in Taney County, Missouri, on the Springfield-Rollo supply route for the Union Army. It was surprised by the Confederate expedition of General Marmaduke which was starting its invasion of Missouri. On January 8 the Confederates were threatening Springfield which contained hospital facilities, Confederate prisoners, the headquarters of the Army of the Frontier, and quartermaster and ordinance supplies. The 14th Missouri was among those called to the rescue. After a battle in which the Union suffered 14 killed, 146 wounded and 5 missing, and the Confederates lost 19 killed, 105 wounded and 26 missing, the Confederates decided to withdraw and move on. With Marmaduke was Mastin's brother in law, Samuel Truesdale Co. A 3d Missouri Cavalry, Confederate under Col. Colton Green. No more records of Mastin's court martial are to be found. Mastin resigned because of injuries suffered when his horse fell on him and was discharged for disabilities March 10, 1863, though there is some disagreement in the pension affidavits, and it is possible there is some connection with the reorganization of the regiment when his unit became Co. I, 8th Regiment.

Report, Furnishing His Own Horse April 13, 1862	Special Orders November 12, 1862	Request February 18, 1863	Resignation Of Service March 10, 1863

Declaration for Original Pension April 18, 1876	General Affidavit August 24, 1901	Denial Of Interest Signed: Minor Gentry August 31, 1901	General Affidavit of Disability August 24, 1901

Researcher of Captain Mastin Breeden.
Written By: Margaret Hunt

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