3rd Missouri US Reserve Corps Infantry Regiment
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The 3rd Missouri US Reserve Corps Infantry Regiment evolved from one of several unofficial pro-Unionist militia units formed semi-secretly in St. Louis in the early months of 1861 by Congressman Francis Preston Blair, Jr. and other Unionist activists. The organization that would become the Third U.S.R.C was largely composed of ethnic Germans, who were generally opposed to slavery and strongly supportive of the Unionist cause. 20 percent of the men of the regiment were "native" U.S. citizens. Although initially without any official standing, beginning on April 22, 1861, the Unionist regiments Blair helped organize were sworn into Federal service at the St. Louis Arsenal by Captain John Schofield acting on the authority of President Lincoln.[1]
3rd Missouri US Reserve Corps Infantry Regiment | |
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Active | May 8, 1861, to January 1862 |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | Union |
Branch | Infantry |
Nickname(s) | Turner Zouaves (Turner-Zuaven) |
Engagements | Camp Jackson Affair Expedition to SW Missouri Skirmish at Fulton, Missouri |
The first four regiments were considered to be the regiments of Missouri Volunteers called for under President Lincoln's April 15, 1861, call for 75,000 volunteers. So many St. Louis Unionists mustered to volunteer, that after consultation with General-in-Chief Winfield Scott, and Secretary of War Simon Cameron, President Lincoln directed Captain Nathaniel Lyon to "enroll in the military service of the United States the loyal citizens of Saint Louis and vicinity, not exceeding with those heretofore enlisted, ten thousand in number, for the purpose of maintaining the authority of the United States; [and] for the protection of the peaceable inhabitants of Missouri."[2]
These additional regiments, in excess of the original Presidential call were designated "United States Reserve Corps" units, and were intended for local service.
The 3rd Missouri US Reserve Corps Infantry Regiment was mustered into service on May 8, 1861, under Colonel John McNeil.[3] The new Missouri Volunteer regiments subsequently elected (then) Captain Nathaniel Lyon as the brigadier general of the new brigade of Missouri volunteers. President Lincoln would later confirm Lyon's promotion from captain to brigadier general.