Overview:

Lyon saved Missouri for the Union, but died doing so.

Biography:

A fiery, irascible man, Nathaniel Lyon was perhaps suited to be a soldier. He graduated West Point in 1841, in the infantry, and first saw action against the Seminoles. In the Mexican War he was wounded and promoted for his services at Chapultepec. He saw quieter service on the frontier, but also in ‘Bleeding’ Kansas, where his political opinions were sharpened. He commanded, as captain in the 2nd Infantry, the U. S. arsenal in St. Louis in 1861. An ardent Unionist and a strong supporter of Lincoln and the Republican Party, Lyon worked closely with Missouri Congressman Francis P. Blair, Jr., to prevent the state from seceding from the Union. His first step was to maintain his troops in the Arsenal, despite the wishes of many Missourians – who wanted him out of the way so they could get the guns for themselves. Lyon then marched his men out to the camp of the secessionists, scattering many and capturing ringleaders. His triumphal march with prisoners provoked riots in St. Louis, but he had a monopoly of weapons, and was secure in his power. Prompt action had its rewards for Lyon personally: he was promoted Brigadier General, and put in charge of the whole of the west. After a command reshuffle he was trimmed back, to only command the forces in southwestern Missouri, an area thick with Southern sympathizers and with troops pushing north from Arkansas. Lyon decided he should strike first, and hit the stronger Confederate forces at dawn. The effects of surprise wore off, and numbers told: Lyon was killed trying to rally his men. He was posthumously voted the Thanks of Congress: he’d lost the battle, but taken the wind out of the Confederate sails in Missouri. Price and McCulloch would sweep into central Missouri, but never threaten to take the cities they needed for a political foothold. He is buried in his native Connecticut. Content provided by: eHistory Staff Selected sources: Eicher, John H. & David J. Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. Warner, Ezra J. Generals in Blue - Lives of the Union Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1999.

Principal Battles:	Boonville (1861 ) Wilson's Creek (1861 )

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