Was Oliver Cowdrey excommunicated by Joseph primarily over the Fanny Alger dust-up? Or was it a power-play by Joseph to eliminate a threat? Or was it a combination of both? Were there other factors?

Additionally, what are your thoughts on the reasons why Cowdrey was re-baptized in 1848?

Thanks.

Spelled out pretty well here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cowdery

OC and his family joined the Methodist Church in Tiffin,Seneca County, Ohio in about 1841. During his separation from the Saints OC is thought to have renounced his testimony at least for a time. OC was also buried by a Methodist minister
Whatever his manifold failings, at least, Cowdrey was never supportive of, or converted to the principle of plural marriage.

My personal view on Oliver Cowdery is that he left the church after a building up of resentment at not being given as high a calling as he thought he deserved. The Fanny Alger and polygamy issue was just a last straw. So then he is on the outside, but outsiders see him as "Mormonism". He was deeply connected to Joseph Smith on the BOM con and other foundational aspects of the con. He could never escape the scrutiny. He ran and lost in a state election in Wisconsin. He couldn't make it on the outside so he wanted to come back and see if he could weasel his way to the inside of the Mormon cult again. That is why he got re-baptised. Just my view of him.