Isaac Shepard was born in Natick, Massachusetts on July, 7, 1816, and was educated at Harvard; coming to Missouri, he became a major and assistant adjutant general in the Missouri State Militia, and served as an aide to Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. With the death of Lyon, Shepard was appointed the lieutenant colonel of the 19th Missouri Infantry. The 19th failed to complete its organization, however, and was consolidated with the 3rd Missouri Infantry; Shepard became colonel of the 3rd Missouri in February 1862.

Being a strong advocate for the recruitment of African-American soldiers, Shepard was appointed colonel of the 51st U. S. Colored Infantry in May 1863. The 51st was assigned primarily to garrison duty in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas, although the regiment did participate in the assault on Fort Blakely in Mobile.

On November 17, 1863, Shepard was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers, but when the Senate failed to confirm his appointment, he returned to Missouri.

After the war, he was Missouri’s adjutant general and United States consul in Swatow and Hankow, China. Shepard returned from the Orient in 1886 and settled again in Massachusetts. He died on August 25, 1889, and was buried in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Carte-de-Visite by J.W. Black, Boston, Mass.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11488