The 1st Missouri Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Originally commanded by Colonel John S. Bowen, the regiment fought at the Battle of Shiloh, where it was engaged near the Peach Orchard on April 6, 1862. On April 7, during the Union counterattacks at Shiloh, the regiment was instrumental in preventing the Washington Artillery from being captured. The regiment was next engaged at the Second Battle of Corinth, where it outflanked several Union positions. On the second day at Corinth, the regiment was only minimally engaged. On November 7, the 1st Missouri Infantry was combined with the 4th Missouri Infantry to form the 1st and 4th Missouri Infantry (Consolidated), as a result of heavy battle losses in both regiments.
Organization
The regiment was the first Missouri unit to officially enter the Confederate States Army. After recruiting efforts by Colonel John S. Bowen, who had been captured during the Camp Jackson affair, in early June 1861, the unit was officially mustered on June 22, near Memphis, Tennessee. Bowen was the regiment's first colonel, Lucius L. Rich was appointed the first lieutenant colonel, and Charles C. Campbell was the first major. Some of the men recruited were from outside of Missouri, including many from Memphis and New Orleans, Louisiana. Most of the Missourians were from St. Louis or the Missouri Bootheel area. The company organization at the date of organization was:
Company A: New Orleans, Louisiana and St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by J. Kemp Sprague Company B: St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Robert J. Duffy Company C: Memphis, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by David Hirsch. Company D: St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Martin Burke Company E: Mississippi County, Missouri, New Madrid County, Missouri, and St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Olin F. Rice Company F: St. Louis, Missouri. Commanded by Hugh A. Garland Company G: Pemiscot County, Missouri. Commanded by John A. Gordon. Company H: New Madrid County, Missouri, and Pemiscot County, Missouri. Commanded by Tilford Hogan. Company I: New Madrid County, Missouri. Commanded by Thomas J. Phillips. Company K: Pemiscot County, Missouri. Commanded by John E. Averill.
Service
1861
In August 1861, the regiment was transferred from the Memphis area to New Madrid, Missouri, where it was part of the force of Brigadier General Gideon Pillow. While at New Madrid, the regiment became known for its skill at drill. In September, the unit was again transferred, this time to Columbus, Kentucky. The regiment was issued weapons on September 23. In late December, the regiment was sent to Bowling Green, Kentucky.
1862
Shiloh
After the Battle of Fort Donelson in early 1862, the regiment participated in the destruction of Confederate property during the abandonment of Nashville, Tennessee. The 1st Missouri then joined General Albert Sidney Johnston's Army of Mississippi. The regiment was stationed at Corinth, Mississippi, for some time. Bowen was promoted to brigadier general on March 14, and was replaced as regimental commander by Lieutenant Colonel Rich, who was officially promoted to colonel on April 1. In early April 1862, the 1st Missouri was part of Brigadier General John C. Breckinridge's Reserve Corps of Johnston's army, and would be in Bowen's brigade along with the 9th Arkansas Infantry, 10th Arkansas Infantry, 2nd Confederate Infantry, Hudson's Mississippi Battery, Watson's Louisiana Battery, and a company of Kentucky cavalry.
On April 6, the first day of the Battle of Shiloh, the 1st Missouri and the rest of Bowen's brigade attacked a Union defensive position known as the Peach Orchard. After heaving fighting, the Confederate charge drove the Union troops from the Peach Orchard, although Johnston was mortally wounded during the fighting. On April 7, the 1st Missouri participated in the Confederate defense against Union counterattacks, and played a significant role in preventing the capture of a portion of the Washington Artillery. Eventually, the Confederate army retreated from the battlefield, and the 1st Missouri was part of the army's rear guard on the march back to Corinth. At Shiloh, the regiment lost 48 men killed, 130 wounded, and 29 missing, for a total of 207; the regiment had begun the battle with around 850 men. Colonel Rich had been wounded on April 6; he died on August 9. Lieutenant Colonel Amos Camden Riley replaced Rich at the head of the regiment; Riley was officially promoted to colonel on August 2.