William S. 'Willie' Scott, a resident of Southern Callaway County, Missouri, left home at age 15 yrs., crossed the Missouri River, and joined with General Sterling Price's Expeditionary Forces in Missouri, presumably during the period October 6 through October 8, 1864, while these forces were in the Jefferson City area. He remained with those forces until his capture in Dade County, Missouri in late October 1864. It is presumed that he was separated from the main body of the forces after their demoralizing defeat on October 25, 1864, somewhere between the Little Osage and Marmiton Rivers in Western Missouri. He was transferred to Gratiot Prison, St. Louis, Mo. and then to Alton Military Prison, Alton, Illinois on or about November 01, 1864, where he remained until his release, some time in the month of March, 1865. During his imprisonment he wrote at least two letters to his Mother in Southern Callaway County, Missouri, begging her to get him out of prison, and to bring him money and food. One written on December 15, 1864, and a second written on February 28, 1865.

When released in March 1865, he made his way home, spent the night and traveled into the Missouri River bottoms area to see his Sister, where he was captured and hung and shot by Northern sympathizers on his second night after returning home, March 31, 1865. Ironically this was only 15 days prior to the close of the Civil War.

Willie's Gravestone in Wainwright He lies at rest near the Northwest corner of the Link Cemetery at Wainwright, Missouri; North across the Missouri River and about eight miles East of Jefferson City, Missouri. His tombstone reads: William S. Scott, Son of J.M. and S.J. Scott, MURDERED, March 31, 1865, Aged 15 years. Apparently a murder trial ensued in Circuit Court of Callaway County, Missouri. At this time these Circuit Court records are not completely accessible to the general public. This murder trial remains undocumented at this time as does 'Willie's' service in the Confederate Army. This saga has been the subject of many newspaper articles in Callaway County throughout the years.

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