Lewis Merrill
| Lewis Merrill | |
|---|---|
| Born |
October 28, 1834 New Berlin, Pennsylvania |
| Died | February 27, 1896 (aged 61) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/branch |
 United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1855–1886 |
| Rank |
 Brevet Brigadier General
|
| Battles/wars |
American Civil War American Indian Wars |
Lewis Merrill (1834–1896) was a career officer in the United States Army noted for his work in resisting the early Ku Klux Klan organization in several Southern states. During the American Civil War, he combated guerrillas in Missouri.
Merrill was born at New Berlin, Pennsylvania, the son of Sarah (Lewis) and James Merrill. He studied at the University at Lewisburg (Pennsylvania), graduated at West Point in 1855, was assigned to duty as second lieutenant with the First Dragoons, and served in Missouri, in Kansas Territory, and with the Utah Expedition. In 1861 he was appointed a first lieutenant with the 2nd Dragoons.
In 1861, as colonel and first cavalry officer on the staff of John C. Frémont, he organized the Second Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, usually known as Merrill's Horse to fight the secessionist Missouri State Guard and guerrillas in central Missouri. His regiment was well known for its strict military organization and its aggressiveness in carrying out its anti-guerrilla mission. Colonel Merrill later commanded the Department of St. Louis and then the Department of Northern Missouri. In 1864 he was commander of the cavalry bureau at St. Louis and took part in the engagements at Franklin, Missouri. The next year he was sent against guerrillas in northern Georgia and Alabama and was brevetted brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers.
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