Maine-native Warren Lothrop enlisted in the Regular Army in 1846 and served with the engineers until 1857. Commissioned an artillery lieutenant in 1857, Lothrop became a captain in the 1st Missouri Infantry when the Civil War began. In the fall of 1861 he became major of the 1st Missouri Light Artillery, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in May 1862, then became colonel and assumed command of the regiment on October 21, 1862.

The 1st Missouri Light Artillery fought in a total of 68 battles, beginning with Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861 (as the 1st Missouri Infantry); other notable battles included Iuka, Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, Helena, Little Rock, Missionary Ridge, Kennesaw Mountain, and Nashville.

Colonel Lathrop mustered out of the service on July 29, 1865; he was given brevet promotions to major (for his role in the capture of New Madrid, Missouri) and to lieutenant colonel (for “gallant and meritorious service during the war”). He died on October 31, 1866.

Carte-de-Visite by Peplow & Balch, Memphis, Tenn.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31698