The 1st Missouri Infantry was an

infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and marine i ...

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...

that served in the

Confederate States Army The Confederate States Army, also called the Confederate Army or the Southern Army, was the military land force of the Confederate States of America (commonly referred to as the Confederacy) during the American Civil War (1861–1865), fighting ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. Originally commanded by

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

John S. Bowen John Stevens Bowen (October 30, 1830 – July 13, 1863) was a career United States Army officer who later became a general in the Confederate Army and a commander in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. He fought at the battles ...

, the regiment fought at the

Battle of Shiloh The Battle of Shiloh (also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing) was fought on April 6–7, 1862, in the American Civil War. The fighting took place in southwestern Tennessee, which was part of the war's Western Theater. The battlefield i ...

, where it was engaged near the Peach Orchard on April 6, 1862. On April 7, during the

Union Union commonly refers to: * Trade union, an organization of workers * Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets Union may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * Union (band), an American rock group ** ''Un ...

counterattacks at Shiloh, the regiment was instrumental in preventing the

Washington Artillery Washington commonly refers to: * Washington (state), United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A metonym for the federal government of the United States ** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered on ...

from being captured. The regiment was next engaged at the

Second Battle of Corinth The second Battle of Corinth (which, in the context of the American Civil War, is usually referred to as the Battle of Corinth, to differentiate it from the siege of Corinth earlier the same year) was fought October 3–4, 1862, in Corinth, M ...

, where it

outflanked In military tactics, a flanking maneuver is a movement of an armed force around an enemy force's side, or wikt:flank, flank, to achieve an advantageous position over it. Flanking is useful because a force's fighting strength is typically con ...

several Union positions. On the second day at Corinth, the regiment was only minimally engaged. On November 7, the 1st Missouri Infantry was combined with the 4th Missouri Infantry to form the

1st and 4th Missouri Infantry (Consolidated) The 1st and 4th Missouri Infantry (Consolidated) was an infantry regiment that served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was formed on November 7, 1862 when the 1st Missouri Infantry and the 4th Missouri ...

, as a result of heavy battle losses in both regiments.

Organization

The regiment was the first Missouri unit to officially enter the

. After recruiting efforts by

, who had been captured during the Camp Jackson affair, in early June 1861, the unit was officially mustered on June 22, near

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mos ...

. Bowen was the regiment's first colonel, Lucius L. Rich was appointed the first

lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...

, and Charles C. Campbell was the first

major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

. Some of the men recruited were from outside of Missouri, including many from Memphis and

New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans
Merriam-Webster. ; french: La Nouvelle-Orléans , es, Nuev ...

. Most of the Missourians were from

St. Louis St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which e ...

or the

Missouri Bootheel The Missouri Bootheel is a salient located in the southeasternmost part of the U.S. state of Missouri, extending south of 36°30′ north latitude, so called because its shape in relation to the rest of the state resembles the heel of a boot. ...

area. The company organization at the date of organization was: * Company A: New Orleans, Louisiana and St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by J. Kemp Sprague * Company B: St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Robert J. Duffy * Company C: Memphis, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by David Hirsch. * Company D: St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Martin Burke * Company E:

Mississippi County, Missouri Mississippi County is a County (United States), county located in the Missouri Bootheel, Bootheel of the U.S. state of Missouri, with its eastern border formed by the Mississippi River. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the popul ...

New Madrid County, Missouri ; french: Comté de New Madrid) is a county located in the Bootheel of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,434. The largest city and county seat is New Madrid, located on the northern side of the Kentucky Bend ...

, and St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Olin F. Rice * Company F: St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Hugh A. Garland * Company G:

Pemiscot County, Missouri Pemiscot County is a county located in the southeastern corner in the Bootheel in the U.S. state of Missouri, with the Mississippi River forming its eastern border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,661. The largest city and county ...

. Commanded by John A. Gordon. * Company H: New Madrid County, Missouri, and Pemiscot County, Missouri. Commanded by Tilford Hogan. * Company I: New Madrid County, Missouri. Commanded by Thomas J. Phillips. * Company K: Pemiscot County, Missouri. Commanded by John E. Averill.

Service

1861

In August 1861, the regiment was transferred from the Memphis area to

New Madrid, Missouri New Madrid ( es, Nueva Madrid) is a city in New Madrid County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,787 at the 2020 census. New Madrid is the county seat of New Madrid County. The city is located 42 miles (68 km) southwest of Cairo ...

, where it was part of the force of

Brigadier General Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

Gideon Pillow Gideon Johnson Pillow (June 8, 1806 – October 8, 1878) was an American lawyer, politician, speculator, slaveowner, United States Army major general of volunteers during the Mexican–American War and Confederate brigadier general in the Americ ...

. While at New Madrid, the regiment became known for its skill at

drill A drill is a tool used for making round holes or driving fasteners. It is fitted with a bit, either a drill or driverchuck. Hand-operated types are dramatically decreasing in popularity and cordless battery-powered ones proliferating due to ...

. In September, the unit was again transferred, this time to

Columbus, Kentucky Columbus is a home rule-class city in Hickman County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 170 at the 2010 census, a decline from 229 in 2000. The city lies at the western end of the state, less than a mile from the Mississippi Ri ...

. The regiment was issued weapons on September 23. In late December, the regiment was sent to

Bowling Green, Kentucky Bowling Green is a home rule-class city and the county seat of Warren County, Kentucky, United States. Founded by pioneers in 1798, Bowling Green was the provisional capital of Confederate Kentucky during the American Civil War. As of the 2 ...

1862

Shiloh

After the

Battle of Fort Donelson The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from February 11–16, 1862, in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The Union capture of the Confederate fort near the Tennessee–Kentucky border opened the Cumberland River, an important ave ...

in early 1862, the regiment participated in the destruction of Confederate property during the abandonment of

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the List of muni ...

. The 1st Missouri then joined

General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...

Albert Sidney Johnston Albert Sidney Johnston (February 2, 1803 – April 6, 1862) served as a general in three different armies: the Texian Army, the United States Army, and the Confederate States Army. He saw extensive combat during his 34-year military career, figh ...

Army of Mississippi There were three formations known as the Army of Mississippi in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. This name is contrasted against Army of the Mississippi, Army of ''the'' Mississippi, which was a Union Army named for the ...

. The regiment was stationed at

Corinth, Mississippi Corinth is a city in and the county seat of Alcorn County, Mississippi, Alcorn County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 14,573 at the 2010 census. Its ZIP codes are 38834 and 38835. It lies on the state line with Tennessee. Histor ...

, for some time. Bowen was promoted to brigadier general on March 14, and was replaced as regimental commander by Lieutenant Colonel Rich, who was officially promoted to colonel on April 1. In early April 1862, the 1st Missouri was part of Brigadier General

John C. Breckinridge John Cabell Breckinridge (January 16, 1821 – May 17, 1875) was an American lawyer, politician, and soldier. He represented Kentucky in both houses of Congress and became the 14th and youngest-ever vice president of the United States. Serving ...

's Reserve Corps of Johnston's army, and would be in Bowen's brigade along with the 9th Arkansas Infantry, 10th Arkansas Infantry, 2nd Confederate Infantry,

Hudson's Mississippi Battery The J. L. Hudson Company (commonly known simply as Hudson's) was an upscale retail department store chain based in Detroit, Michigan. Hudson's J. L. Hudson Department Store and Addition, flagship store, on M-1 (Michigan highway), Woodward Avenue ...

, Watson's Louisiana Battery, and a company of Kentucky

cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry ...

. On April 6, the first day of the

, the 1st Missouri and the rest of Bowen's brigade attacked a

defensive position known as the Peach Orchard. After heaving fighting, the Confederate charge drove the Union troops from the Peach Orchard, although Johnston was mortally wounded during the fighting. On April 7, the 1st Missouri participated in the Confederate defense against Union counterattacks, and played a significant role in preventing the capture of a portion of the

. Eventually, the Confederate army retreated from the battlefield, and the 1st Missouri was part of the army's

rear guard A rearguard is a part of a military force that protects it from attack from the rear, either during an advance or withdrawal. The term can also be used to describe forces protecting lines, such as communication lines, behind an army. Even more ...

on the march back to Corinth. At Shiloh, the regiment lost 48 men killed, 130 wounded, and 29 missing, for a total of 207; the regiment had begun the battle with around 850 men. Colonel Rich had been wounded on April 6; he died on August 9. Lieutenant Colonel Amos Camden Riley replaced Rich at the head of the regiment; Riley was officially promoted to colonel on August 2.

Corinth

After the Confederates abandoned Corinth in the summer of 1862, the 1st Missouri was transferred to the

Vicksburg, Mississippi Vicksburg is a historic city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the county seat, and the population at the 2010 census was 23,856. Located on a high bluff on the east bank of the Mississippi River across from Louisiana, Vic ...

, area. The regiment, as well as the rest of Bowen's brigade, was expected to be part of the Confederate assault at the Battle of Baton Rouge, but arrived too late for the fighting. By early October, the 1st Missouri was part of

Major General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

Earl van Dorn Earl Van Dorn (September 17, 1820May 7, 1863) started his military career as a United States Army officer but joined Confederate forces in 1861 after the Civil War broke out. He was a major general when he was killed in a private conflict. A g ...

Army of West Tennessee An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...

. The regiment was part of Bowen's brigade of Major General

Mansfield Lovell Mansfield Lovell (October 20, 1822 – June 1, 1884) was a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. As military commander of New Orleans when the city unexpectedly fell to the Union Navy in 1862, Lovell was fier ...

's division. Bowen's brigade also contained the 6th Mississippi Infantry, 15th Mississippi Infantry, 22nd Mississippi Infantry, Caruther's Mississippi Battalion, and Watson's Louisiana Battery. On October 3, at the

, the 1st Missouri was part of the Confederate assault on the Union's outer defensive works. The 1st Missouri, along with the 33rd Mississippi Infantry, broke the line of the 15th Michigan Infantry, contributing to the collapse of the initial Union line. During the fighting, the 1st Missouri became separated from the rest of Bowen's brigade, and fought with the brigade of Brigadier General John C. Moore for the rest of the day. The 1st Missouri

a Union position commanded by Brigadier General John McArthur, helping Moore's brigade break the line. Moore's brigade then ran against Union reinforcements commanded by Colonel Marcellus Crocker. The 1st Missouri outflanked the 15th Iowa Infantry, which, accompanied by Moore's primary assault on Crocker's line, led to the collapse of the Union position. However, Moore's brigade was not reinforced, and the Confederate assault died down. The next day, Bowen's brigade was only briefly engaged during Confederate attacks on the stronger interior Union position, as Lovell's division was mostly inactive on October 4. The regiment reported a total loss of seven men at Corinth, although historian James McGhee believes this total is incomplete. The 1st Missouri was part of the Confederate rear guard after Corinth, and participated in

skirmishing Skirmishers are light infantry or light cavalry soldiers deployed as a vanguard, flank guard or rearguard to screen a tactical position or a larger body of friendly troops from enemy advances. They are usually deployed in a skirmish line, an i ...

. On November 7, the 1st Missouri and the 4th Missouri Infantry were combined, as both regiments had suffered heavy losses. The new regiment was known as the

. After the consolidation, the Missourians joined the

First Missouri Brigade The First Missouri Brigade was an infantry brigade that served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It was mostly recruited from members of the Missouri State Guard – a secessionist force formed from the Missouri Volunt ...

. Colonel Riley commanded the new regiment. Companies A, D, F, G, and K of the 1st and 4th (Consolidated) were from the 1st Missouri, while Companies B, C, E, H, and I were from the 4th.

Legacy

The 1st and 4th Missouri Infantry (Consolidated), which contained many men from the 1st, was assigned to the First Missouri Brigade. The new regiment was engaged in several battles in the 1863

Vicksburg campaign The Vicksburg campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in the Western Theater of the American Civil War directed against Vicksburg, Mississippi, a fortress city that dominated the last Confederate-controlled section of the Mississippi Riv ...

, including the

Battle of Champion Hill The Battle of Champion Hill of May 16, 1863, was the pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War (1861–1865). Union Army commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee pursued the retreating Confe ...

. In 1864, the regiment fought at the battles of New Hope Church and

Kennesaw Mountain Kennesaw Mountain is a mountain between Marietta and Kennesaw, Georgia in the United States with a summit elevation of . It is the highest point in the core (urban and suburban) metro Atlanta area, and fifth after further-north exurban counties ...

in the Atlanta campaign, and saw further action at the

Battle of Allatoona The Battle of Allatoona, also known as the Battle of Allatoona Pass, was fought October 5, 1864, in Bartow County, Georgia, and was the first major engagement of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War. A Confederate States A ...

. After suffering heavy casualties at the Battle of Franklin, the regiment was transferred to

Mobile, Alabama Mobile ( , ) is a city and the county seat of Mobile County, Alabama, United States. The population within the city limits was 187,041 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, down from 195,111 at the 2010 United States census, 2010 cens ...

, where it surrendered at the

Battle of Fort Blakely The Battle of Fort Blakeley took place from April 2 to April 9, 1865, in Baldwin County, Alabama, about north of Spanish Fort, Alabama, as part of the Mobile Campaign of the American Civil War. At the time, Blakeley, Alabama, had been the count ...

on April 9. Over the life of the regiment before the consolidation, about 1,045 men fought in the regiment; 338 of the regiment's men died while serving with the regiment. Of the deaths, 141 were related to combat.

Commanders

Before the consolidation with the 4th Missouri, the 1st Missouri was commanded by Colonels Bowen, Rich, and Riley. Rich and Riley also served as lieutenant colonels before their promotions. Campbell and Garland were the regiment's majors. After the consolidation, the 1st and 4th Missouri (Consolidated) was commanded by Riley and Garland. Garland had served as lieutenant colonel for the regiment previously, and the consolidated regiment's majors were Garland and Bradford Keith.

Notes

References

Sources

* * *

External links

* {{Missouri Confederate units navbox Units and formations of the Confederate States Army from Missouri 1861 establishments in Tennessee Military units and formations established in 1861 1862 disestablishments in Alabama Military units and formations disestablished in 1862