Dr. Florence Cornyn was born in August 1829 in Belmont County, Ohio. After graduating from New York University, Cornyn traveled to Sacramento, California, and practiced medicine until 1852; moving to Missouri, he settled in St. Louis. He began the Civil War as a surgeon with the 1st Missouri Infantry (later the 1st Missouri Light Artillery) and fought at the battles of Boonville and Wilson’s Creek. After serving in a number of other battles, including Fort Donelson, Corinth, Shiloh, and Iuka, Cornyn was discharged in September 1862 so he could assume command of the 10th Missouri Cavalry. Cornyn was fatally wounded by William D. Bowen, one of his subordinates, and died on August 10, 1863, two years to the day after the Battle of Wilson’s Creek.

Carte-de-Visite by G.W. Armstead, Corinth, Miss.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11506