Historical Controversies

Controlling Missouri, Part 1: Nathaniel Lyon in St. Louis

Introduction to the Civil War
Chris Calton

Season 3, Episode 17. Nathaniel Lyon, a notoriously harsh officer in the US army, is sent to St. Louis to ensure Missouri’s place in the Union. His policies have the effect of alienating much of the population of the city, which is predominantly Unionist, leading to the formation of a secessionist resistance group at Camp Jackson.