Union Army of the West

The **Union Army of the West** was a Union Army in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. It was made up of only four brigades and operated in Missouri. It was formed shortly after May 10, 1861 and was disbanded on August 19, 1861. The Army of the West was commanded by Brigadier general Nathaniel Lyon until his death at the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861. Both parties ed both sides of the border. While he openly did not call for secession from the Union, he was making plans for Missouri to join the Confederacy. He knew the most important  in the state was the federal arsenal at St. Louis. It was endorsed by President Abraham Lincoln and Lieutenant general Winfield Scott. When Southern sympathizers in St. Louis started a riot, Lyon quickly put it down. Many of the rioters were killed.

Brigadier general William S. Harney, who had left Lyon in temporary command, returned to St. Louis with two companies of Union artillery and two companies of Union infantry. He ed the citizens of St. Louis that the Union army would protect them. He ed the actions of the state legislature and governor in making any effort to join the Southern cause. The Army of the West was made up of the following brigades:

* 1st Brigade, commanded by Major Samuel D. Sturgis. Two companies of infantry, one company of dragoons (mounted infantry) and one artillery company totaling 184 men.
* 2nd Brigade, commanded by Colonel Franz Sigel. One company each of infantry, cavalry, dragoons (mounted infantry) and artillery with a total of 1,200 men.
* 3rd Brigade, commanded by Lieutenant colonel George L. Andrews. Two companies of infantry and one artillery company with a total of 1,116 men. 
* 4th Brigade, commanded by Colonel George W. Deitzler. Four companies of infantry totaling 2,400 men.

On June 13, 1861, after failed negotiations with Governor Jackson, Lyon quickly moved his army to attack the pro-confederate forces at Jefferson City, Missouri. the state capital. He moved quickly enough to catch them un. On June 15, the Army of the West occupied Jefferson City. On June 17, both sides fought the Battle of Boonville which lasted only about 30 minutes. The Union forces completely ed the pro-confederates. Jackson and most of his militia retreated to the southwest corner of Missouri, close to Confederate help from Arkansas. In total, Lyon had about 5,400 soldiers in his command. After the third attack at about 11:00 am, the Confederates fell back. With his ammunition running low and his men  Sturgis withdrew to Springfield. Too disorganized to follow, the Confederate army did not pursue. While it was a technical victory for the Confederates, the Union army kept control of Missouri for the rest of the war.

After the battle, the Army of the West fell back to Rolla, Missouri, then back to St. Louis. From there the various units were sent to other commands. On August 19, 1861 the Army of the West was officially disbanded.

## Commanders 
* 17 May to August 10, 1861 - Brigadier general Nathaniel Lyon.
* August 10 to August 19, 1861 - Brigadier general Samuel D. Sturgis

## Related pages 
* American Civil War
* Battle of Wilson's Creek
* Army of the West (1862) (Confederate Army)

## References