1st Regiment, Infantry
HISTORICAL NOTES:
The Missouri 1st Infantry Regiment was raised in Memphis, Tennessee by Colonel John S. Bowen, a Missouri Volunteer Militiaman and U.S. Army veteran. Bowen traveled to Richmond, Virginia to meet with President Jefferson Davis to request permission to raise the regiment, and Davis granted him a colonel's commission. The regiment fought in several battles, including Shiloh, where it helped prevent the Washington Artillery from being captured during the Union counterattacks on April 7, 1862. The regiment also fought at the Second Battle of Corinth, where it outflanked several Union positions.
The regiment was the first Missouri unit to officially enter the Confederate States Army.[1] After recruiting efforts by Colonel John S. Bowen, who had been captured during the Camp Jackson affair, in early June 1861, the unit was officially mustered on June 22, near Memphis, Tennessee. Bowen was the regiment's first colonel, Lucius L. Rich was appointed the first lieutenant colonel, and Charles C. Campbell was the first major. Some of the men recruited were from outside of Missouri, including many from Memphis and New Orleans, Louisiana. Most of the Missourians were from St. Louis or the Missouri Bootheel area.
OFFICERS:
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.
ASSIGNMENTS:
SERVICE:
The First Missouri Infantry fought at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Corinth. Heavy losses at Corinth forced the First Missouri Infantry to combine with the Fourth, creating the First and Fourth Combined Missouri Infantry. The First and Fourth Combined was one of several Missouri regiments that formed the famed Missouri Brigade of the Army of Tennessee, notably serving at Champion Hill, Kennesaw Mountain, the Siege of Atlanta, Franklin, and Fort Blakely. Like the unit itself, which suffered heavy losses at several Western battles,
ROSTERS:
The rosters of this unit contains the names of 2039 men.
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. The original Company C was combined with Company F at an unknown date, a new Company C was later organized.[
Company D: St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Martin Burke
Company E: Mississippi County, Missouri, New Madrid County, Missouri, and St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Olin F. Rice
Company F: St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Hugh A. Garland
Company G: Pemiscot County, Missouri. 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.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
REFERENCES:
REF: Crute, Joseph H., Units of the Confederate States Army
The regiment was the first Missouri unit to officially enter the Confederate States Army.[1] After recruiting efforts by Colonel John S. Bowen, who had been captured during the Camp Jackson affair, in early June 1861, the unit was officially mustered on June 22, near Memphis, Tennessee. Bowen was the regiment's first colonel, Lucius L. Rich was appointed the first lieutenant colonel, and Charles C. Campbell was the first major. Some of the men recruited were from outside of Missouri, including many from Memphis and New Orleans, Louisiana. Most of the Missourians were from St. Louis or the Missouri Bootheel area.