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Related Pages Read more about the 26th Missouri Infantry (Union)		Summary of our last meeting: Roger Baker presided over the meeting and decided that he would assume the presidency during the coming year. It was announced that a book had been purchased to honor Phil Gottschalk and would soon be available at the Missouri  Historical Society. Two new members were introduced by Jack Kennedy. Andy Papen gave us an excellent paper on the 26th Missouri Infantry.  This Federal unit was an raised in eastern Missouri in Franklin, Gasconade, Osage and Maries counties by Colonel George Boomer and was consolidated with two pre- Civil War St. Louis militia companies.  It was mustered into service for 3 years on December 31, 1861. George Boomer had come to Missouri in 1852 following his older brother who as a bridge builder.  George set up Boomer's Mills at Castle Rock in Osage County. He was union but not an abolitionist. This unit figured prominently in the battle of Iuka where Colonel Bloomer was impatient to meet the enemy and asked permission to send the regiment in advance to meet the Confederates.  They supported the 11th Ohio Battery but were finally pushed back and Col. Boomer was hit by a rifle ball.  The 26th was not noted for being at the front of the action until May 16, 1863 at the Battle of Champion Hill. They arrived before Bowen's attack.  They were placed in a deep ravine which the Confederates were seeking to secure and took the brunt of that attack.  In that battle the unit lost its regimental commander and senior captain and suffered severe losses. Colonel Boomer died leading the charge against the works at Vicksburg.  Colonel Boomer's commission as Brigadier General reached camp shortly after his death. At Missionary Ridge the 26th Missouri now under Colonel Dean came under fire from a small gun the confederates had placed on the top of Tunnel Hill.  Colonel Putnam of the 93rd Illinois asked permission to silence the gun.  He moved his unit forward followed by the 26th Missouri. Just as the 93rd Illinois was nearing the top of the ridge the Confederates made a charge upon them and would have driven them back, but the 26th Missouri rushed to their support.  The two regiments without any other support drove the Confederates back and held the gun position.  They kept the battery silenced for about an hour and a half. Colonel Putnam of the 93rd Illinois was killed and the brigade commander wounded and the command devolved on Colonel Dean the commander of the 26th Missouri.  Their ammunition was nearly exhausted and Colonel Dean thought about moving the two regiments back to the foot of the ridge but that he would have to leave enough sharpshooters on the hill to keep the gun silenced or the Confederates would open a destructive fire upon the 93rd and 26th and would probably capture the sharpshooters.  A heavy force of Confederates were then discovered on the right flank and a little to the rear of Dean's command and it was nearly surrounded.  The Confederates recaptured the gun but were only able to fire one round at the Union forces.  After the battle ended, the Confederates retreated and the 26th Missouri with other troops followed in pursuit.  Two of the officers were killed in the battle and one squad was so close under the rebels guns that they were unable to retreat and were captured. The 26th continued with Sherman on his march to the sea and reached Savannah on December 21, 1864.  The bulk of the 26th was mustered out of service on January 9, 1865.