Josiah R. Drew was one of four brothers from Burlingame, Kansas, who enlisted in the Union army. He first joined Company D, 2nd Kansas Infantry on May 14, 1861 as a private, and participated in the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. Mustered out with the regiment that October, Drew joined the 11th Kansas Infantry (converted to cavalry and redesignated the 11th Kansas Cavalry in April 1863) on September 1, 1862, and was promoted to corporal that December.

In August 1864, Drew was mustered into Company B, 18th U.S. Infantry as a second lieutenant, then was promoted to first lieutenant of Company K in March 1865.

The 18th participated in the Battle of Nashville in December 1864, then performed garrison duty in Bridgeport, Alabama, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 18th was mustered out of service in February 1866.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31814