Leader in the West: Major General Samuel R. Curtis
Samuel R. Curtis - Early Life & Career:
Born near Champlain, NY on February 2, 1805, Samuel Ryan Curtis was the son of Zarah and Phalley Curtis. Moving to Licking County, OH at a young age, he received his early education locally before electing to pursue a military career. Obtaining an appointment to West Point in 1827, he was classmates at the academy with Andrew A. Humphreys. A middling student, Curtis graduated in 1831 ranked 27th in a class of 33.
Marrying Belinda Buckingham that year, his military service proved brief as he elected to resign in June 1833. Working as an engineer on several project across the Midwest, Curtis also led a local militia unit known as the Mansfield Blues.
With the beginning of the Mexican-American War in 1846, Curtis served as Ohio's adjutant general before accepting a colonel's commission and command of the 3rd Ohio Infantry. Though his men did not see combat during the conflict, they did serve in various occupation roles throughout Mexico. Moving to Iowa after war, Curtis was later elected mayor of Keokuk in 1856. Later that year, he won a seat in Congress representing Iowa's Second District. Reelected in 1858 and 1860, Curtis actively supported Abraham Lincoln's presidential campaign. With the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter and beginning of the Civil War in April 1861, Curtis commenced work raising Iowa regiments for service in the Union Army.
Samuel R. Curtis - The Civil War Begins:
Elected colonel of the 2nd Iowa Infantry, Curtis responded to orders from Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon to advance and occupy Hannibal, MO.
In recognition of this successful action, he earned a promotion to brigadier general and elected to resign from Congress. Posted to St. Louis, he served under Major General John C. Frémont and worked to maintain order in the city while also overseeing the training of Union troops. On December 25, Major General Henry W. Halleck gave Curtis command of the Southwestern District of Missouri with orders to eliminate Confederate forces in that area. Taking the field with the Army of the Southwest, he was attacked by Major General Earl Van Dorn at the Battle of Pea Ridge on March 7-8, 1862. Though outnumbered, Curtis won a victory and compelled the Confederates to retreat from Missouri.
Samuel R. Curtis - Arkansas:
In recognition of the victory at Pea Ridge, Curtis received a promotion to major general on March 21. Seeking to maintain the initiative, he advanced south into northeast Arkansas. Though he had hoped to capture Little Rock, his supply situation saw him turn southeast and ultimately take Helena on the Mississippi River in July. In the course of the campaign, Curtis' men actively sought to liberate the region's slaves. Though inviting controversy through these actions and possibly aiding in the illegal sale of cotton to purchase food for the freed slaves, he earned an assignment to command the Department of Missouri effective September 24. Assuming this new post, his abolitionist views put him in conflict with Missouri Governor Hamilton Gamble.
Samuel R. Curtis - Kansas & Price:
As a result, Lincoln was compelled to remove Curtis on May 24, 1863 and reassign him to lead the Department of Kansas. Taking command on January 1, 1864, he directed troops in protecting the frontier. In the fall of 1864, Curtis' department came under threat when Major General Sterling Price moved north with 12,000 horsemen on August 28. Intent on reclaiming Missouri for the Confederacy, Price crossed into the state and engaged Union forces at Pilot Knob a month later. Turning west, he fought a string of battles as his men laid waste to the countryside. Responding to this threat, Curtis concentrated the available units in the area into the Army of the Border moved to defeat Price.
Though his first efforts at Little Blue River failed on October 21, Curtis and Major General Alfred Pleasonton succeeded in bringing Price to battle two days later. In the resulting Battle of Westport, Union forces inflicted a decisive defeat on the enemy and compelled Price to retreat south. Pursuing the Confederates, Curtis' men fought several skirmishes with Price's troopers and followed them as far as the Arkansas River Valley. On January 30, 1865, Curtis was transferred to lead the Department of the Northwest. Arriving in Minnesota, he directed the final phases of putting down Native American uprisings in the area.
Samuel R. Curtis - Later Life:
With the end of the war, Curtis was employed negotiating treaties with Native America tribes on the Great Plains. Returning to engineering, he served as a consultant for the Union Pacific Railroad. On December 26, 1866, Curtis died while inspecting track near Council Bluffs, IA. Returned home, his remains were buried at Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk.
Selected Sources
Source...