People

Lyon, Nathaniel

A graduate from the West Point class of 1841, Lyon served in the Seminole War, Mexican War and was posted in Kansas during the period of turmoil known as Bleeding Kansas. His Kansas experience shaped his political views on slavery and he became an ardent abolitionist. Called to St. Louis to protect the United States arsenal in he became allied with Francis Blair to keep Missouri in the Union. In May 1861 Lyon captured a pro-Southern militia encampment at Camp Jackson in St. Louis. The success in St. Louis coupled with Blair’s political influence catapulted Lyon to Brigadier General.

Lyon devised a plan to end Southern resistance in Missouri. He captured the state capitol and pushed the pro-Southern Missourians into the southwest corner of the state. Lyon attacked a combined army of Missouri State Guard and Confederate troops at Wilsons Creek outside of Springfield, Missouri. The all morning fight ended with Lyon’s death and a Union retreat. Lyon became the North’s first military hero.

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