Bernard Gains Farrar, Jr. was born in St. Louis on August 5, 1831. Educated at Norwich Military Academy in Vermont and the University of Virginia, Farrar became a businessman in St. Louis. When the Civil War began, he was appointed an aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon. After fighting at Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861, Farrar was appointed provost-marshal-general of the Department of the Missouri.

As provost-marshal-general, Farrar was responsible for ensuring that military orders were executed and handled legal matters pertaining to the army. On August 7, 1862, General Henry Halleck extended Farrar’s authority to include the states of Illinois and Iowa.

In December 1862, Farrar assumed command of the 13th Missouri Infantry and was assigned to General Frederick Steele’s division. Farrar and his regiment were sent to Vicksburg to assist in the siege there, and Farrar was placed in command of a brigade. After the city’s fall, he continued serving in the area, recruiting African-American troops. He assumed command of the 6th U. S. Colored Heavy Artillery, and on January 7, 1865, was reassigned as commander of Fort McPherson, District of Natchez, Mississippi. Farrar was assigned the additional duties of commander of the Provisional Brigade and charged with the defense of Natchez, where he remained until war’s end.

Brevetted a brigadier general in March 1865, Farrar resigned his commission two months later and returned to St. Louis. He served as assistant treasurer of the United States, and died on June 6, 1916.

Carte-de-Visite by Anderson & Turner, New Orleans, La.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31806