John,

It appears you are confusing the gun compositions of Wachsman's/Thurber's Battery Missouri State Militia Light Artillery and Co. L, 2nd Missouri Light Artillery, or assuming they were the same. Both of the units on occassion operated with sections of other batteries during operations. As you have already found out, that can cause frustration and confusion!

Wachsman's Battery was originally organized as an independent battery in the Missouri State Militia in May 1862, Albert Wachsman commanding. The battery was reorganized in May 1863 and its designation changed to Thurber's Battery, Missouri State Militia Light Artillery. Charles H. Thurber was appointed captain. (Surprisingly, Wachsman accepted a commission as first lieutenent). Over the duration of its short service, the militia battery's armament was comprised of four 2.9" English rifles (one lost during service), one 12-pdr. mountain howitzer, one 6-pdr. field gun and later a James rifle (converted 6-pdr. field gun) was added. (The English rifles were a favorite of Albert Wachsman whom was detached with two of the guns and stationed in the District of the Border during the summer and early fall of 1863 following Quantrill's sack of Lawrence.)

In January 1864 the militia battery was mustered out and many of the men enlisted in Co. L, 2nd Missouri Light Artillery. Company L was outfitted with four 3" Ordnance rifles and two of the 2.9" English rifles from the militia battery. These guns were the only ones which equipped the battery the remainder of the war.

I have consulted/accumulated an extensive collection of primary material regarding these batteries including military records, reports, records of movements, post returns and many unpublished sources (diaries, letters, photos, etc.) over the course of my 20 years of research on the batteries. I am quite sure of the type guns the units were comprised of.

In addition to publishing a history of the the batteries, I hope to complete an extensive artillery study regarding the Battle of Westport, fought October 21-23, 1864. (It will be more of a study of all of the artillery arm during the entire Price Raid of 1864.)

Good luck on your research regarding the Powder River Expedition.

Gil