Samuel Curtis was a graduate of West Point, a civil engineer, veteran of the Mexican-American War, and a three term U.S. congressman. He was formal in his demeanor, and closely followed all military uniform regulations.
The frock coat was tailor-made, probably in the fall of 1862 when Curtis assumed command of the Department of the Missouri.
General Curtis defeated forces lead by General Sterling Price at Pea Ridge, Arkansas on March 7-8, 1862, and again on October 22-23, 1864 at the battles of Big Blue and Westport near Kansas City, Missouri, during Price’s Raid into Missouri.
Curtis has been described by historians as the most effective Union general west of the Mississippi.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11954
