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Powell, John Wesley
Powell was born in New York State and his family moved to Illinois in 1851. He attended Illinois College in Jacksonville, and later Oberlin College, where he studied botany and natural sciences. As war approached, he involved himself in a program of self-study, to learn military engineering. In 1861, he joined the 20th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was soon in Missouri.
The 20th Illinois was stationed in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Ju…... Read more >
Blair, Jr., Francis P.
A Union politician and soldier. A member of the famous Blair family that had a role in national politics from Andrew Jackson through the Civil War. Blair threw his support to Lincoln in the 1860 presidential race. He rallied support for the candidate in Missouri, especially among the German community in St. Louis. He enlisted as a colonel at the onset of hostilities, and in November of 1862 received his promotion to Major General. Blair comman…... Read more >
Grant, Ulysses S.
U.S. Grant’s life story cannot be fairly treated here. Space permits an abbreviated mention of his many Missouri ties. They begin at West Point in 1842, when Fred Dent of St. Louis became his roommate.
After West Point, Grant’s first post was Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis; He soon was introduced to Fred’s sister, 18 year old Julia Dent. After a long engagement, they married in 1848. When his first stint in the regular Army ended, Gra…... Read more >
Price, Sterling
Virginian born and known affectionately as “Old Pap” he served as a farmer, legislator and Congressman in his adopted state of Missouri. He served in the Mexican War and was elected Governor of Missouri in 1852. Price sided with the pro-Southern Missouri State Guard early in the war. Immensely popular he led the Missouri State Guard to victories at Wilsons Creek and Lexington in 1861
He was appointed a major general in the Confederate army …... Read more >
