Nathaniel Lyon

Nathaniel Lyon

Nathaniel Lyon was born in Ashford Connecticut on July 14, 1818. He grew up to be a soldier. He fought in the Seminole war. He also fought in the Mexican war.

During the Civil War, Lyon was sent to Missouri. He was promoted to General. His mission was to guard the weapons in St. Louis. Missouri’s Governor was in favor of the south. Governor Jackson used the state militia (later National Guard) to try to take the weapons. General Lyon and his men defeated Governor Jackson. They saved the guns for the Union.

Rebel troops began to move north into Missouri. General Lyon took his men south to meet them. The two armies met at Wilson’s Creek, near Springfield. It was a short and bloody battle. General Lyon was killed. He was the first Union General killed during the Civil War.

General Lyon never married. He spent his entire life in the army.

Author: Dawn Young
Sources:
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/lyon.htm
http://www.members.dandy.net/~billc/lyon.htm