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Lyon, Nathaniel-LS Authorizing the Gasconade Battalion

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Lyon, Nathaniel-LS Authorizing the Gasconade Battalion
<Our item number 112083><B>Lyon, Nathaniel.</B> &#40;1818-61&#41; As commander of the St. Louis arsenal, he played an important role &#40;with F.P. Blair, Jr.&#41; in safeguarding the weapons in the arsenal and capturing a stong pro-Southern force. He was appointed Brigadier General of Missouri Volunteers on 12 May 1861, and on 17 May became B.G. of Mo. Vols. He fell in battle on 10 August 1861 at Wilson&#39;s Creek. On 24 December 1861, he received the Thanks of Congress posthumously for his role in saving Missouri for the Union. <BR><BR>Letter Signed &#34;<I>N. Lyon</I>&#34; as &#34;Brigadier general U.S. Vol. Commandg,&#34; one page, 11¾&#34; x 7½&#34;, Head Quarters Department [of the West], St. Louis Arsenal, c. 5 June 1861 [date on docket]. The letter is toned, has some fold splits and a 1¾&#34; piece missing at upper right; the script and signature are slightly faded, but the content is fabulous! To C.C. Manwaring, Hermann, Gasconade County, Missouri: &#34;<I>Having been duly sworn to the discharge of this duty you are hereby authorized to call out, organize, and arm such parties as you can raise and cause them to be sworn into the service of the United States and will employ them in conformity to such orders as I may give or the wants of the general government may suggest to your judgement. Services rendered to the general government will constitute a claim against it for renumeration [sic], and I shall use all my authority and influence to see that parties rendering this service are duly paid</I>.&#34; <BR><BR>H.A. Conant, major and Paymaster of the Mo. Vols, certified on the docket that C.C. Manwaring &#34;has taken an obligation to fulfill the duties herein stated in accordance with the instructions. St. Louis Arsenal, June 5th 1861.&#34; Manwaring organized the 1st Gasconade County Battalion Home Guard Infantry and was made captain. The battalion had a total of 473 men and its services consisted of guarding bridges on the Pacific Railroad, and in escorting provision trains from Hermann to Montgomery City, Mo. It also participated in the expedition from Miller&#39;s Landing to Georgetown, in Franklin Co., Mo. The battalion disbanded October 1, 1861, and reorganized as the Hunhausen&#39; Battalion. <BR>Estimated Value &#36;2,000-3,000. <BR><BR>Our item number 112083<BR><IMAGES><P ALIGN="CENTER"><IMG SRC="http://64.60.141.195/photos/40jpegs/112083.jpg"> </P></IMAGES>