George Finnell enlisted as a private in Company E, 11th Missouri Infantry, on July 20, 1861, at Olney, Illinois. The 11th Missouri Infantry was organized and mustered into service in August 1861 at St. Louis, Missouri.

The 11th Missouri participated in the fighting at Fredericktown, New Madrid, Iuka, Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg and Tupelo, and pursed Confederate General Sterling Price through Missouri. After the Battle of Nashville, the 11th saw service at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, Alabama.

Finnell was promoted to corporal on February 12, 1863; he was wounded in the right arm near Nashville, Tennessee on December 16, 1864. Returning to duty on February 14, 1865, he was promoted to sergeant on May 23, 1865, and mustered out of the service on January 15, 1866.

Carte-de-Visite by J. P. Wilson, Olney, Ill.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11600