Lewis Merrill, a native of Pennsylvania, graduated from West Point in 1855. Commissioned a dragoon officer, Merrill saw service in Kansas and Utah. When the Civil War began, he was commissioned colonel of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry; the unit opposed guerrillas in Missouri from 1862-63 and became known as “Merrill’s Horse.” Merrill led a cavalry brigade during the campaign to capture Little Rock and at the beginning of General Sterling Price’s Missouri raid in 1864.

In 1865 he was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to operate against guerrillas in Georgia and Alabama and escort supply trains from Chattanooga to Atlanta.
After the Civil War, Merrill was mustered out of the volunteer service but resumed his career as a Regular Army officer; he retired from the army in 1886.

Colonel Merrill died on February 27, 1896, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Cabinet Card by Rothengatter, Philadelphia, Pa.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30830