Price, Sterling
Price, Sterling,
1809–67, Confederate general in the American Civil War, b. Prince Edward co., Va. After moving to Missouri, he practiced law and entered politics. He served in Congress (1844–46), resigning to lead a Missouri regiment in the Mexican WarMexican War,1846–48, armed conflict between the United States and Mexico. Causes
While the immediate cause of the war was the U.S. annexation of Texas (Dec., 1845), other factors had disturbed peaceful relations between the two republics.
..... Click the link for more information. . Made military governor of New Mexico, he put down a rising of Native Americans and Mexicans. Price was governor of Missouri (1853–57) and president of the state convention of Mar., 1861, which opposed secession. However, his displeasure at the activities of the extreme Unionists led him to accept the command of the Missouri secessionist militia in May, 1861. At Wilson's Creek (Aug., 1861) he and Ben McCulloch defeated the Union forces. Price then took Lexington but was soon obliged to retreat into Arkansas. After the Union victory at Pea Ridge (Mar., 1862), Price accepted a regular Confederate commission. His campaign around Iuka and CorinthCorinth,
city (1990 pop. 11,820), seat of Alcorn co., extreme NE Miss., near the Tenn. line, in a livestock and farm area; founded c.1855. Manufactures include construction materials, machinery, furniture, apparel, transportation equipment, and prepared foods.
..... Click the link for more information. , Miss. (Oct., 1862), was unsuccessful. He opposed Gen. Frederick Steele in Arkansas (1863–64). Price's raid through Missouri (Sept.–Oct., 1864), after initial successes, was finally turned back at Westport and was the last Confederate threat in the Far West.
Bibliography
See studies by A. E. Castel (1968) and R. E. Shalhoyse (1971).