The 11th Missouri Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War

The 11th Missouri Infantry distinguished itself as just the type of regiment the Union needed in the Civil War. Hard as nails and loyal to a fault, the men of the “Eagle Brigade” would follow their commanders “into hell if they ordered.” They battled two Confederate regiments at Iuka, turned the tide at Battery Robinett at Corinth, assaulted the impossible Stockade Redan at Vicksburg as whole ranks of soldiers were cut down, and broke Hood’s line at Nashville. Although the 11th Missouri ranks among the 300 top regiments of the Civil War, little of its history has been formally recorded. This study provides a detailed account of the regiment’s four-and-a-half years of outstanding service and a roster.

Dennis W. Belcher has edited or authored nine books on the Civil War and has published in the North & South magazine. He lives in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Dennis W. Belcher
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 348
Bibliographic Info: 91 photos, 14 maps, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4882-1
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8622-9
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      ix
Preface      1

1. Organizing the 11th Missouri Infantry and Battle of Fredericktown      5
2. Point Pleasant and Siege of Corinth      35
3. Battle of Iuka      61
4. Battle of Corinth      81
5. Siege of Vicksburg      104
6. End of the 11th Missouri and Reorganization      140
7. Abbeville, Pursuit of Price, and Battle of Nashville            170
8. Battle of Spanish Fort and Occupation in Alabama      204
9. Postwar Biographical Information      230

Appendix A: 11th Missouri Volunteer Infantry Roster      243
Appendix B: 11th Missouri Veteran Volunteer Infantry Roster      271
Appendix C: Wartime Letters of Men of the 11th Missouri Infantry      299
Notes      321
Bibliography      329
Index      333

“a valued and seminal contribution to the growing library of Civil War Studies, and highly recommended reading for Civil War enthusiasts”—Midwest Book Review; “excellent account…Belcher…is a gifted narrator, and he clearly has a deep respect and love for the men of the Missouri 11th. He gives a very detailed narrative overview of the Civil War in the West and reveals the experiences of the soldiers form their letters and journals…highly recommended”—Civil War News; “well researched and packed with detailed information…the information provided about the officers and men should prove invaluable”—Civil War Books and Authors; “this is the first history of the regiment…excellent job…worthwhile”—The NYMAS Review; “you will definitely want to add this excellent book to your Union library shelf. A WOW Rating”—The Lone Star Book Review.