George Houston joined the 2nd Missouri Cavalry as a first lieutenant on September 1, 1861, and was assigned to Company G. On July 15, 1862, he was promoted to captain and reassigned to Company A; on November 17, 1864, Houston was promoted to major and assumed the duties of regimental adjutant.

The 2nd Missouri Cavalry was organized in August 1861 by Lewis Merrill, who recruited 800 soldiers in thirty days; the regiment became known as “Merrill’s Horse.” During the war they pursed and captured guerrillas throughout Missouri; they also saw action during the 1863 campaign to capture Little Rock. In 1864, the regiment engaged General Sterling Price during his Missouri raid, fighting at Boonville, Little Blue, Big Blue, Westport, and Mine Creek.

Houston and the 2nd Missouri Cavalry were mustered out of the service on September 19, 1865.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11757