Description:

Nathaniel Lyon ALS Protecting Pioneers, First Civil War General Killed

LYON, NATHANIEL. Autograph Letter Signed, 1p, 7.75" x 9.75", Fort Riley, June 30, 1860. Docketing at verso. Expected folds, scattered foxing, minor creasing, else near Fine.

Lyon's letter to Colonel Henry K. Craig, in full, "Herewith enclosed I respectfully transmit the Return of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores pertaining to Company 'B' 2d Inf’y for second Quarter of 1860."

After his graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in the summer of 1841, 2nd Lieutenant Nathaniel Lyon traveled to Florida, where he served with the 2nd U.S. Infantry in the ongoing Second Seminole War (1835-1842). After the war in Florida, the 2nd U.S. Infantry did frontier service along the Canadian border in Michigan.

Several companies of the 2nd U.S. Infantry left Detroit in mid-July 1846 by steamer for New Orleans and on to Texas for service in the Mexican War (1846-1848). After the war ended, Lyon continued to serve with the 2nd U.S. Infantry in a series of frontier posts in California, Nebraska Territory, and Kansas Territory. In May 1853, the Army established Fort Riley, 120 miles west of Kansas City, Missouri, where the Smoky Hill and Republican Rivers combine to form the Kansas River. It was named in honor of Major General Bennet C. Riley, who had been Lyon’s commander in the Mexican War and in California. Fort Riley was established as a central location from which to organize, train, and equip soldiers to protect migrants along the overland trails. Lyon filed his ordnance report from Fort Riley in June 1860, just over thirteen months before his death 230 miles to the southeast. 

Nathaniel Lyon (1818-1861) was born in Connecticut and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1841. Upon graduation, Lyon received a commission as a second lieutenant and assignment to the 2nd U.S. Infantry in Florida. There, he served in the Second Seminole War. He also served with the 2nd Infantry in the Mexican War and in service in California and the West. Although staunchly antislavery, Lyon did not support the abolitionists. In early 1861, Lyon was placed in command of the federal arsenal at St. Louis, which he protected against southern sympathizers. Promoted to brigadier general in May 1861, he was given command of Union troops in Missouri as commander of the Department of the West. He occupied the state capital in Jefferson City in mid-June 1861, and moved southwest in pursuit of southern-sympathizing Missouri troops. Lyon encamped at Springfield, Missouri, in mid-July with 6,000 soldiers. On August 10, some 12,000 Confederate forces attacked Lyon’s forces. Lyon was killed leading a counter-attack, and the Union forces retreated. Lyon was the first Union general killed in the Civil War, and his actions are credited with saving Missouri for the Union, though the state remained a battleground throughout the war.

Henry K. Craig (1791-1869) was born in Pennsylvania and entered the Army in 1812. He commanded Fort Niagara for a time near the end of the War of 1812. He rose through the ranks to major in 1832 and was assigned to the Ordnance Corps. He served as Chief of Ordnance for General Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War. In 1851, he was appointed Chief of Ordnance with the rank of colonel. He was relieved of duty in 1861 at the age of 70, though he protested and continued for another two years in an advisory capacity. In March 1865, he was brevetted brigadier general for his fifty years of service to the army.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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