William Weer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Weer
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General, Kansas Militia Colonel, U.S.V. |
| Commands held | 4th Kansas Volunteer Infantry 10th Kansas Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | Kansas Attorney General |
William Weer was an important person in Kansas and during the American Civil War. He worked as a lawyer and later became the Attorney General for Kansas. This means he was the state's top lawyer. He also served as an officer in the Union Army, which was the army of the northern states during the Civil War. He was known for his work in the western part of the war, called the Trans-Mississippi Theater.
Contents
Early Life and Career
William Weer started his career as a lawyer. He helped the Wyandott Native American Reservation in Kansas with their legal matters.
In 1857, William Weer became the second person to hold the job of Attorney General for the Kansas Territory. He served in this important role from 1857 to 1858. He was also active in the Kansas State Militia, which was like a local army. In 1861, he became a brigadier general in this militia.
Service in the Civil War
Joining the Union Army
On June 29, 1861, William Weer was made a colonel in the 4th Kansas Volunteer Infantry. This group of soldiers was part of "Jim Lane's Kansas Brigade."
Before his regiment was fully ready, General James G. Blunt chose Weer for a special mission. Weer was the highest-ranking colonel at Baxter Springs, Kansas at the time. He was chosen to lead a large group of 5,000 soldiers on an "Indian Expedition" into the Indian Territory, which is now Oklahoma.
The Indian Expedition
The expedition started well for the Union soldiers. Weer's forces successfully pushed back Cherokee groups who supported the Confederacy. They also defeated a group of soldiers from Missouri at the Battle of Locust Grove. In this battle, Weer's troops captured the enemy's supply wagons.
After Locust Grove, the expedition moved to Flat Rock, about 14 miles (23 km) from Fort Gibson. However, the soldiers faced challenges like low supplies and very hot summer weather. Weer's leadership became difficult, and some of his officers decided to take action. Colonel Frederick Salomon arrested Weer and took command of the expedition. Salomon then led the troops back to meet their supply trains.
In Lane's Kansas Brigade
While serving in Jim Lane's Kansas Brigade, Weer was present during the Sacking of Osceola. This was an event where the town of Osceola was attacked. Weer was one of the few officers who wanted to save the town instead of burning it down. However, his idea was not chosen by Jim Lane.
Leading the 10th Kansas Infantry
By 1862, the 4th Kansas Infantry was combined with other groups of soldiers to form the 10th Kansas Infantry. On June 1, 1862, Weer was given command of this new regiment.
His regiment was part of the Department of Kansas. As the highest-ranking officer, Weer took command of the 2nd Brigade in that department. He led his brigade in the First Battle of Newtonia under the overall command of General Frederick Salomon.
In October 1862, Weer took command of the 2nd Brigade in General Blunt's 1st Division. He led this brigade in several important battles, including the Battle of Old Fort Wayne, the Battle of Cane Hill, and the Battle of Prairie Grove. General Blunt praised Weer for his bravery at Prairie Grove, saying he led his men "into the thickest of the fight." After this battle, Weer briefly commanded the 1st Division in early 1863.
Recruiting Native American Soldiers
One of William Weer's important achievements was helping to recruit Native Americans who supported the Union into military service. This was approved by President Abraham Lincoln. Weer helped create two regiments of the Indian Home Guard.
- The 1st Regiment was led by Colonel Robert Furnas. It included warriors from the Creek and Seminole tribes. Many of these warriors had fought alongside Chief Opothleyahola on their journey to Kansas in 1861.
- The 2nd Regiment was led by Colonel John Ritchie. It included soldiers from many different tribes, such as Cherokees, Caddos, Delawares, Kaws, Kickapoos, Osages, Quapaws, and Shawnees.
Later Service
In 1863, William Weer was given a desk job as an assistant adjutant general in St. Louis, Missouri. After a short time there, he and his regiment were assigned to prison duty at Alton, Illinois. Weer and the 10th Kansas Volunteer Infantry were in charge of Alton Prison for the rest of the Civil War.
William Weer briefly returned to military duty in 1864 during Price's Missouri Expedition, leading a Kansas militia regiment.
