The 24th Missouri Volunteer Infantry was a Union regiment that served from 1861 until 1865. The majority of the men in the regiment were from Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas; it was first known as the “Lyon Legion” and was often referred to as “Boyd’s Regiment,” after Colonel Sempronius Hamilton Boyd, who became the regiment’s first commander.
The remnant of the regiment’s flag consists of a blue field with six stars a lion and trees. It is unknown what the remainder of the flag looked like.
The 24th Missouri Infantry marched from Rolla, Missouri to Pea Ridge, Arkansas in early 1862, under the command of Major Eli Weston. Arriving at Pea Ridge they occupied Elkhorn Tavern as the Union provost guard. On March 7, 1862, while repelling advancing Confederate forces, the 24th Missouri suffered the first known casualty of the battle when Private John Franklin was severely wounded; he survived but was disabled and released from the service. The 24th Missouri was forced to retreat from Elkhorn Tavern, later retiring to camp near Pratt’s Store on March 7th. They did not fight on March 8th but continued to provide provost guard duties, guarding Confederate prisoners.
The 24th Missouri suffered light casualties during the battle with four killed and seventeen wounded.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30079
