Robert Harris was mustered into Captain Thomas H. Roseberry’s Company of the 1st Northeast Missouri Home Guard Infantry on October 25, 1861, as a sergeant. In February 1862 the 1st and 2nd Northeast Missouri Regiments were consolidated to form the 21st Missouri Infantry, and Harris became the first sergeant of Company G, 21st Missouri Infantry. He was promoted to second lieutenant on December 31, 1862, and to first lieutenant on September 30, 1865.

The 21st Missouri Infantry saw action at Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth, Pleasant Hill, Tupelo, Nashville, and Fort Blakely.

Harris was mustered out on April 19, 1866.

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

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11628