Matt,

As always.. great info... much appreciated, sir...
No doubt Swain and his cohorts were a very interesting bunch and I'm definitely looking forward to your upcoming publication...

Agreed on Hoyt being more significant here than Jennison... Plus there is the well known letter of Hoyt's during the summer of 1862 relating how the 1st KCV is being armed and outfitted…

So, I know that, from the evidence, both Swain and Hoyt were directly involved in assisting with the formation of the 1st KCV in the summer of 1862, with Jennison acting more in the capacity of a "mouth piece" [my terminology] until his inevitable falling out with Jim Lane.

Stout is also involved, but I am still a bit confused as to his role based on conflicting contemporary accounts.

I have much evidence of the "radical" nature of the officer corps of the 1st KCV and have solid supporting documentation, but am struck by the direct relationship of the Red Legs to the 1st KCV, and would like to explore this connection further.

I continue to uncover/discover fascinating information about the early history of the 1st KCV.

Please email me directly if I might have anything in my files of interest to you regarding Swain's involvement with 1st KCV. As stated previously, you likely have everything that I do... but one never knows.

Semper Fi,

Chris