Okay, Maj. James S. Wilson did not fight in the Battle of Westport, but was part of the Federal force defending Fort Davidson during the first major action of Price's 1864 invasion of Missouri.
Born in Maryland, James S. Wilson was living in Millwood, Lincoln County, Missouri when he enlisted in Company G, 3d Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Commanded by Col. Richard G. Woodson, the 3d MSM Cavalry operated out of Pilot Knob, Missouri. Wilson rose to the rank of major and led many scout-ing expeditions against Confederate guerrillas in southeastern Missouri. As it was throughout much of Missouri, the war in the state’s southeastern counties was fought between former neighbors and enmity was high. On Christmas Eve, 1863, Major Wilson attacked the camp of Col. Timothy Reeves about 17 miles southwest of Doniphan, Missouri, killing 35 and capturing over one hundred more. Wilson assumed command of the 3d MSM Cavalry when Colonel Woodson resigned in 1864. Just before the Battle of Pilot Knob in September 1864, Detachments of the 3d MSM Cavalry traveled from Pilot Knob and ran into advanced units from Price’s Confederate army. After fighting off the Confederates, the Union troopers withdrew through Doniphan, and set fire to most of the town. On the second day of the Battle of Pilot Knob, Major Wilson and six other members of the 3d MSM Cavalry were captured by the Confederates. The prisoners were turned over to Colonel Reeves who executed them six days later on October 3.
Russell, “Re: Major Wilson.” The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board, February 9, 2009. http://history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs62x/mocwmb/webbbs_config.pl?md=read;id=13078.
Titterington, The Battle of Pilot Knob, 119-125.
OR s1 v22 p1, 784.
Arnold, “Rev Timothy Reeves.” Find A Grave, March 8, 2014. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5179587/timothy-reeves.
Ross, “The Burning of Doniphan.” North & South, November 2003.