Generals in Blue and Gray

Many famous Civil War generals have connections to Missouri. Tour these Civil War- era sites to learn about them for yourself.

At White Haven, part of the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, learn more about the Civil War general who later became president of the United States. The home plantation of Julia,Grant’s wife, contains other historic structures as well. The site is in south St. Louis County.

Across the road at Grant’s Farm, visit Hardscrabble, the Grants’ log cabin home.

In northwest Missouri, Keytesville recognizes one of its own at the General Sterling Price Museum. There is also a monument to the former state governor and Confederate general in Price Park.

During Gen. Price’s last raid through Missouri, he engaged in a battle at the river town of Glasgow. A marker at a park in the center of town describes the battle. Be sure to also take in the Glasgow Community Museum and Lewis Library.

The Union lost its first general at Wilson’s Creek with the death of Gen. Nathaniel Lyon. The site, designated a national battlefield, is in Republic, just outside of Springfield. The National Park Service oversees the site, which contains a visitor’s center and offers a self-guided auto tour of the battlefield. Also found at the site is the Hulston Civil War Library.

Adjacent to Wilson’s Creek, you’ll find General Sweeny’s Museum of Civil War History. Named for Gen. Thomas William Sweeny, or “Fighting Tom,” the museum tells the story of the Civil War in the West. Sweeny commanded the troops at the federal arsenal in St. Louis and served as second in command to Captain – soon to be General – Nathaniel Lyon. Sweeney was wounded during the Battle of Wilson’s Creek; he carried the musket ball in his thigh for the rest of his life.