1st Missouri Brigade, CSA

(the Missouri Confederate Battle Flag carried by the 1st Missouri and others)

"Cockrell's Missouri Brigade was the best on either side, including the Stonewall Brigade and the Iron Brigade of the North," has said Ed Bearss, former chief historian of the National Park Service.

Historian Phillip Tucker states, "...the Missouri Brigade established a combat record more distinguished than that of the most legendary fighting brigades on either side during the Civil War, including the Union's Iron and Irish brigades and the Confederacy's Stonewall, Orphan, and Texas Brigades.

"Cockrell's Missouri Brigade makes the Stonewall Brigade look like the Little Sisters of the Poor." Ed Bearss, Chief Historian, National Park Service.

"Such imperishable renown have the Missouri troops gained in the late battle of Corinth, that all are anxious to witness and cheer the brave fellows who have suffered so much the Southern people will never forget." Southern civilian.

"If I had 10,000 more Missourians I would have won and carried the war." General John Pemberton.

Short history of the First Missouri Confederate Brigade:

• December, 1861, Brigade organized in Osceola, Missouri
• March 7-8, 1862, Battle of Elk Horn Tavern (Pea Ridge)
• April 1862, Missouri Brigade transfers to the east side of the Mississippi River
• June 1862, General Little placed in command of the Army of the West's First Division.  Col. Elijah P. Gates takes over command of the brigade.
• Sept. 1, 1862, Brigade reorganized in Saltillo, MS
• September 19, 1862, Battle of Iuka, General Little killed.
• October 3-4, 1862, Battle of Corinth.
• April 29, 1863, Battle of Grand Gulf--Bowen defeats Grant.
• May 1, 1863, Battle of Port Gibson, Cockrell in command of the Missouri Brigade at this time.
• May 16, 1863, Battle of Champion Hills. (B.B. died)
• May 17, 1863, Battle of Big Black River.
• May 17-July 3, 1863, Siege of Vicksburg.
• January 8, 1864, The men of the Missouri Brigade reenlist for 40 years.
• May 6, 1864, After being exchanged, the Missouri Brigade is ordered to support General Johnston. The Brigade marches 275 miles in 11 days, only 75 of which were by train. Not even Jackson's foot cavalry made time that fast.
• June 18, 1864, Battle of Lattimer House, GA
• June 27, 1864, Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, GA
• July, 1864, Battles of Atlanta, GA
• October 5, 1864, Battle of Alatoona, GA
• November 30, 1864, Battle of Franklin, TN. (Wade died)  Gottschalk writes, "Of the 82 officers who led Missourians into that vortex of death at Franklin, 19 were killed, 31 wounded, and 13 captured. Of the 614 enlisted men who braved the storm of shot, shell, canister and fire from repeating rifles, 79 were killed, 198 wounded, and 79 captured. The smallest brigade numerically at Franklin lost nearly two-thirds of its strength or 419 casualties from the 696 who charged near the gin house...[the brigade's] loss of 60.2% if its strength was exceeded by only three Confederate brigades in the entire war."
• April 9, 1865, battle of Blakely, Alabama
• May 4, 1865, final surrender

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The Missouri Brigade, CSA   (This site plays a little tune.  If you get tired of it you can stop it by clicking on your browser's Stop button.)

First Missouri Confederate Brigade Home Page