Sterling “Old Pap” Price – Missouri Politician and Confederate Officer
Sterling "Old Pap" Price, a name synonymous with Missouri’s complex history, occupied a prominent position in the state’s political and military landscape during the 19th century. His life, a tapestry woven with threads of law, agriculture, politics, and war, embodies the tumultuous era in which he lived. He transitioned from a respected lawyer and governor to a controversial Confederate general, leaving an indelible mark on the American Civil War.
Born near Farmville, Virginia, on September 20, 1809, Price’s early life provided a foundation for his future endeavors. He received his education at Hampden-Sydney College in 1826 and 1827, where he immersed himself in the study of law and gained practical experience working at the local courthouse. This early exposure to the legal system equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to embark on a career in law. After being admitted to the Virginia Bar, he established a law practice, setting the stage for his eventual foray into the world of politics.
In the fall of 1831, seeking new opportunities, Price relocated his family to Fayette, Missouri, a state that would become intrinsically linked to his legacy. A year later, he moved to Keytesville, Missouri, where he diversified his interests by running a hotel and mercantile business. This entrepreneurial spirit showcased his adaptability and willingness to engage with various aspects of community life. On May 14, 1833, he married Martha Head from Randolph County, Missouri, marking the beginning of a family that would eventually include seven children, five of whom survived to adulthood.
The late 1830s presented Price with his first significant involvement in a matter of public concern. During the Mormon War of 1838, he was selected as a member of a delegation representing Chariton County, Missouri. Their mission was to investigate reports of disturbances between Latter-day Saints and anti-Mormon groups operating in the western part of the state. Price’s report, notably, was favorable to the Mormons. He stated that, in his opinion, they were not guilty of the charges being made against them by their adversaries. Following the Mormon surrender in November 1838, Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs ordered Price to Caldwell County with a company of men to protect the Saints from further attacks following their surrender. This early experience in conflict resolution and peacekeeping foreshadowed his later role as a military leader.
Price’s political career began to blossom in the 1830s. He was elected to the Missouri State House of Representatives, serving from 1836 to 1838, and again from 1840 to 1844. His commitment to public service and his ability to connect with his constituents propelled him to higher office. He was subsequently elected as a U.S. Congressman, serving from March 4, 1845, to August 12, 1846. His tenure in Congress was cut short when he resigned to participate in the Mexican-American War, demonstrating his sense of duty and willingness to serve his country on the battlefield. He served as a Brigadier General of Volunteers during the war, gaining valuable military experience that would later prove crucial.
Returning from the Mexican-American War, Price resumed his political career, ascending to the highest office in Missouri. He served as the 11th Governor of Missouri from 1853 to 1857, a period marked by growth and development in the state. His leadership during this time solidified his reputation as a capable and respected politician. However, the looming shadow of the Civil War would soon test his loyalties and redefine his legacy.
The outbreak of the Civil War presented Price with a profound moral and political dilemma. Initially, Sterling "Old Pap" Price opposed secession, aligning himself with those who sought to preserve the Union. However, the seizure of Camp Jackson near St. Louis by Federal militia under Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon proved to be a turning point. This event, which targeted pro-secessionist militia, galvanized support for the Confederate cause in Missouri and prompted Price to reconsider his position.
Ultimately, Sterling "Old Pap" Price chose to side with the Confederacy, a decision that would forever alter the course of his life. He was given command of the Missouri State Guard, a military force sympathetic to the Southern cause. He quickly demonstrated his military prowess, leading his forces to two early Confederate victories. The first occurred at Wilson’s Creek near Springfield, Missouri, on August 10, 1861, a significant battle that boosted Confederate morale. The second victory came at Lexington, Missouri, in mid-September, further solidifying Price’s reputation as a capable military leader.
On March 6, 1862, just before the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, Sterling "Old Pap" Price was commissioned a major general in the Confederate States Army. Despite his initial successes, his forces suffered defeats at Pea Ridge, Iuka, and Corinth in Mississippi. These setbacks highlighted the challenges faced by the Confederacy in the Western Theater of the war. Price’s command engaged in a series of minor engagements throughout 1863, but these actions had little impact on the overall course of the war.
In the fall of 1864, Price embarked on a final, ambitious campaign: a large-scale raid into Missouri and Kansas from his base in northern Arkansas. This campaign, known as Price’s Raid, aimed to disrupt Union supply lines, recruit new soldiers for the Confederacy, and potentially capture Missouri for the South. Price’s forces cut a wide swath of destruction across his home state, but the campaign ultimately proved to be a strategic failure. At Westport, in present-day Kansas City, Price’s army was decisively defeated by two Union armies.
Following the defeat at Westport, Sterling "Old Pap" Price and the remnants of his command fled south into Indian Territory (Oklahoma) and Texas. The raid had failed to achieve its objectives, and Price’s reputation as a military leader suffered a significant blow. The campaign’s failure also marked the end of any serious Confederate hopes of regaining control of Missouri.
Despite the Confederacy’s defeat and the collapse of its government, Price refused to surrender. He led his troops across the border into Mexico and offered their services to Emperor Maximilian I. However, Maximilian, facing his own internal struggles, declined the offer. Price then settled in a colony of former Confederates in Carlota, Veracruz, seeking refuge and a new beginning.
His time in Mexico was marked by hardship and disillusionment. He was impoverished and in poor health when he finally returned to the United States in 1866. The war had taken a heavy toll on him, both physically and emotionally. He died in St. Louis on September 29, 1867, a relatively short time after his return. Sterling "Old Pap" Price was buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri, his final resting place in the state that had been the stage for so much of his life.
Sterling "Old Pap" Price‘s life story is a complex and multifaceted one, reflecting the complexities of the era in which he lived. He was a lawyer, planter, politician, governor, and Confederate general. His decisions and actions were shaped by the events of his time, and his legacy remains a subject of debate and interpretation. Whether viewed as a hero or a villain, his place in Missouri’s history is undeniable. His journey from a respected politician to a controversial Confederate leader serves as a reminder of the divisive forces that shaped the nation during the Civil War.