David Moore (military officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Moore
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| Born | July 3, 1817 Columbiana County, Ohio, US |
| Died | July 19, 1893 (aged 76) St. Louis, Missouri, US |
| Buried |
Forest Grove Cemetery, Canton, Missouri
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1848 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel Bvt. Brigadier General |
| Unit | 3rd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers |
| Commands held | 1st Northeast Missouri Home Guards 21st Missouri Infantry Regiment 51st Missouri Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | politician |
David Moore (July 3, 1817 – July 19, 1893) was an American military leader. He fought in two major wars: the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. He became a Brigadier General in the United States Volunteers. After his military career, he served as a politician in the Missouri General Assembly.
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David Moore's Early Life and Career
David Moore was born in Columbiana County, Ohio on July 3, 1817. His parents were John and Sarah Moore. His father, John, was an Irish immigrant who fought in the War of 1812.
When David was thirteen, he moved to Wayne County, Ohio. He became a carpenter's apprentice. He worked as a carpenter until 1847. That year, he joined the Mexican–American War. He was a Captain of an Ohio unit called the Wooster Guards. This unit became Company "E" of the 3rd Ohio Infantry Regiment.
After the war, Moore moved to Missouri in 1850. He became a farmer and a small-town merchant.
The Civil War Begins for David Moore
When the Civil War started, David Moore lived in Wrightsville, Missouri. A friend, Colonel William Bishop, asked him to form a group of Missouri Home Guards. Their job was to protect the area from Confederate soldiers.
On June 24, 1861, Moore rode into Alexandria, Missouri. He wore his old Mexican–American War uniform. He took an oath to be loyal to the Union. He was given the rank of Captain. He quickly printed flyers asking people to join him. He wanted "all who are willing to fight for their homes, their county, and the flag of our glorious Union."
Within two weeks, enough men joined from the Clark County, Missouri area. On July 4, 1861, they officially formed the 1st Northeast Missouri Home Guards in Kahoka. Moore was elected as their Colonel.
After organizing, Moore and about 500 men moved to Athens, Missouri. This was an important river port. It was near where the Des Moines River and Mississippi River meet. Moore set up a training camp there. It was also a base to fight against pro-Confederate groups. Athens was also close to a Union army supply base in Croton, Iowa.
The Battle of Athens (1861)
On July 21, 1861, Moore's troops attacked the village of Etna. They drove off some Confederate cavalry. Then they returned to their strong position in Athens.
In response, Confederate Colonel Martin E. Green marched his forces toward Athens. On August 5, 1861, Green's force of 2,000 men attacked Athens. Moore had about 500 troops. But they had better weapons, including new Springfield rifles.
Even though they were outnumbered, Moore's Home Guards held strong. When the Confederates started to weaken, Colonel Moore led a brave charge. This caused the enemy to run away. Soon, more Union soldiers arrived from across the river. Green's men lost many soldiers. Moore's forces reported only three dead and twenty wounded. They also captured many horses, weapons, and cannons.
Moore and the 21st Missouri Regiment
After the Battle of Athens, Colonel Moore's 1st Missouri Home Guards continued to chase Confederate groups. On December 31, 1861, Moore's unit joined with another to form the 21st Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
In March 1862, the 21st Missouri was assigned to General Ulysses S. Grant's command. On April 6, 1862, Moore was wounded during the Battle of Shiloh. He was hit by three bullets while leading his men. He lost his right leg below the knee. After three months of recovery, he returned to command in July 1862.
His return was important. The next month, some soldiers in the 21st tried to cause trouble. Moore quickly took action. He arrested the leaders and had them face a military court. This stopped any further problems among the soldiers.
The 21st Missouri fought in many battles in late 1862. These included the Battle of Iuka and the Second Battle of Corinth. Moore and his regiment also took part in the first part of General Grant's Vicksburg Campaign in December.
Most of 1863 was spent on garrison duty. This meant protecting Union supply lines and important towns. In 1864, the 21st Missouri was back in heavy fighting. They fought in the Meridian Expedition and the Red River Campaign. They were especially noted for their strong stand at the Battle of Tupelo. Moore and his men bravely fought against Confederate cavalry. The regiment also returned to Missouri briefly in 1864. They pursued Confederate General Sterling Price during Price's Raid.
David Moore left the 21st Regiment in early February 1865. On February 21, 1865, Moore was promoted to Brigadier General. He then helped organize another regiment, the 51st Missouri. In May, he took command of the 51st. He also commanded the First Military District of Missouri, based in St. Louis. The war ended, and he remained in command until August 31, 1865.
Life After the Military
After the war, General Moore returned to northeast Missouri. He went back to farming and his merchant business in Canton, Missouri. In 1869, he was elected to the Missouri State Senate. He served a four-year term.
Moore was also very active in the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a group for Civil War veterans. He also became a Master Mason.
David Moore had a family after the war. His first wife, Diademia Moore, passed away in 1865. They had five sons and one daughter. Two of Moore's sons fought for the Confederate side against him at Athens. David Moore's second wife was May Carnegy. They had three daughters. Moore remained involved in Missouri politics until his death on July 19, 1893.
