John McNeil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John McNeil
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Brig. Gen. John McNeil
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| Born | February 14, 1813 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Died | June 8, 1891 (aged 78) St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Place of burial |
Bellefontaine Cemetery
St. Louis, Missouri |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Commands held | 2nd Missouri Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
John McNeil (born February 14, 1813 – died June 8, 1891) was a general who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He is remembered for his part in the Palmyra Massacre and for fighting in the Battle of Westport. This battle was the largest one fought west of the Mississippi River. Because of his actions at Palmyra, he was sometimes called the "Butcher of Palmyra."
Contents
Early Life and Career
John McNeil was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. His family had moved there after the American Revolution. He went to a regular school and then learned how to make hats in Boston, Massachusetts.
He tried to start a hat business in New York City and then in St. Louis, Missouri. He did well in St. Louis for twenty years. However, he lost his money when the Civil War began. Before the war, he was a member of the Missouri legislature from 1844 to 1845. He also led the Pacific Insurance Company from 1855 to 1861.
Joining the Civil War
When the Civil War started, some people in Missouri thought John McNeil would support the Southern states. This was because he was a Democrat and had friends who supported the South. However, on May 8, 1861, McNeil joined the Union army as a captain. Soon after, he became a colonel.
On May 10, 1861, McNeil led some troops during the Camp Jackson Affair in St. Louis. The governor of Missouri had called up the state militia for training. Union supporters worried that these troops might attack the St. Louis Arsenal. Union Captain Nathaniel Lyon found out that the governor had secretly received cannons from the Confederacy. Lyon surrounded the state troops and made them surrender.
As the captured soldiers were being marched away, a riot started. Union troops, many of whom were new German-American volunteers, fired into the crowd. About 28 people died, including civilians, militia members, and Union soldiers.
In July, McNeil and about 600 of his men defeated state forces near Fulton, Missouri. After this, General John C. Frémont put McNeil in charge of the city of St. Louis. In August, McNeil became a colonel of the Nineteenth Missouri Volunteers. He later resigned to take command of a district near the Kansas state line. He spent the winter organizing his forces and protecting Union citizens.
He returned to St. Louis in the spring of 1862. He took command of a cavalry regiment and was put in charge of Northeast Missouri. His special job was to clear the area of guerrilla fighters. These were small groups of fighters who used surprise attacks. He spent the summer chasing a guerrilla leader named Joseph C. Porter.
McNeil defeated Porter at the Battle of Kirksville. McNeil was slightly wounded in this fight. After the battle, he ordered the execution of fifteen Confederate prisoners. He also ordered the execution of Frisby McCullough. These actions were controversial and criticized by some.
The Palmyra Massacre
McNeil's actions in Monroe County, Missouri, were also seen by some as very harsh. He once said that if a Union supporter could not live peacefully, then a secessionist (someone who wanted to leave the Union) should not either.
On September 14, McNeil took control of Palmyra, Missouri. He did this after Joseph Porter's forces left the town. McNeil then ordered the execution of ten Confederate prisoners. This was done to get revenge for the kidnapping and likely murder of Andrew Allsman, a Union loyalist. This event became known as the "Palmyra Massacre."
Many people, even some who supported the Union, criticized McNeil for this act. Newspapers in America and Europe strongly condemned him. Confederate President Jefferson Davis even threatened to execute ten Union prisoners unless McNeil was given to the Confederacy. However, this threat was not carried out.
Some local Union supporters asked McNeil to spare the lives of the prisoners. But the local Union newspaper supported McNeil. It said that the "madness of rebellion" was so deep that normal ways of dealing with it were not enough. Years later, McNeil defended his actions. He believed that what he did saved the lives and property of many loyal men and women.
Because of this event, McNeil earned the nickname "Butcher of Palmyra." The actions of McNeil and his enemy, Joseph C. Porter, show how terrible the war was. It also shows how hard it was to judge right and wrong during that time. Each side often made their own actions seem less bad and the enemy's actions seem worse.
Later Campaigns
McNeil was promoted to brigadier general on November 29, 1862.
In the spring of 1863, McNeil defended Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with 1,700 men. He held the town against a much larger force of 10,000 men led by General John Sappington Marmaduke. In 1864, McNeil was put in command of the district of Rolla, Missouri. With help from other generals, he helped save the capital from General Price's army.
He led the 2nd Brigade of General Alfred Pleasonton's cavalry during Price's Raid. He also led an attack on the second day of the Second Battle of Independence. His troops also fought in the campaign that defeated Price's army at the Second Battle of Newtonia in October. During the Battle of Westport, General Alfred Pleasonton removed McNeil from command. He was accused of "cowardice and failure to attack the enemy." McNeil was court-martialed for these and other charges, but the charges were dismissed. He then commanded the district of Central Missouri until he resigned on April 12, 1865.
McNeil was given the honorary rank of major general of volunteers. This was to recognize his loyal and good service during the war. This rank was given to him on the day he resigned.
After the War
After the Civil War, John McNeil held several jobs. He was a clerk for the criminal court in St. Louis County, Missouri, from 1865 to 1867. He was also the sheriff of the county from 1866 to 1870. He worked as a criminal court clerk again from 1875 to 1876.
In 1876, he was a commissioner for the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. This was a big fair celebrating 100 years of American independence. He also worked as an inspector in the U.S. Indian service in 1878 and 1882. At the time of his death, he was the superintendent of the United States Post Office branch in St. Louis.
John McNeil died in his office chair in St. Louis. He was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery. His gravestone has the words: Soldier, rest; thy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
