James Harvey Garrison was born on February 2, 1842, in Greene County, Missouri. A farmer in Christian County, Missouri, when the Civil War began, Garrison enlisted as a private in Captain Samson P. Barris’ Company M, Greene County Home Guard Regiment on June 10, 1861, and was mustered out one month later.

Garrison joined Company F, 24th Missouri Infantry on August 20, 1861 as a sergeant, and was mustered into service that October. Promoted to first sergeant that December, he was wounded at the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 and disabled for infantry service. As the 24th retreated from the area around Elkhorn Tavern, under heavy fire, Garrison was struck by a bullet in the left leg just above the ankle. Although approaching Confederate troops called on him to surrender, Garrison continued to retreat. Growing faint from loss of blood, he threw himself into a passing Union ambulance and was carried to the rear, where his wound was eventually treated.

Discharged by order of General Samuel Curtis, Garrison recruited Company G of the 8th Missouri Cavalry, was elected captain on September 9, 1862, and was mustered into service on September 15, 1862.

The 8th Missouri Cavalry fought in the Battle of Prairie Grove, the Little Rock campaign, and the 1864 operations against General Joseph Shelby north of the Arkansas River.

Mustered out with regiment July 20, 1865, Garrison worked as a pastor and editor of the Christian Evangelist for 45 years, then as editor emeritus for 15 years. He moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1914 and died there on January 14, 1931. Garrison is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California.

Carte-de-Visite by Griswold & White, Corinth, Mississippi.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11997