English or Welsh-born Richard Rees, a resident of Oquawka, Illinois, enlisted in Company F, 16th Illinois Infantry on May 24, 1861. On July 28, 1862, then Sergeant Rees was mustered in as first lieutenant of Company B, 21st Missouri Infantry; he was promoted to captain and company commander on February 1, 1865.

The 21st Missouri Infantry was organized in February 1862 from the 1st and 2nd Northeast Missouri Regiments. The 21st fought at Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth, the Red River campaign, Tupelo, Nashville, and Fort Blakely.

Captain Rees and the 21st Missouri Infantry were mustered out on April 19, 1866. Rees died on May 23, 1918. Sources differ as to his place of death; both the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Wisconsin and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., are listed in official records.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11643