John McNeil

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John McNeil (February 14, 1813 – June 8, 1891) was a Union general in the American Civil War. He is best known for the Palmyra massacre, which earned him the nickname "Butcher of Palmyra," and for his role in the Battle of Westport, the largest battle west of the Mississippi.

Early life
McNeil was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to a family descended from Loyalists who fled the American Revolution. He had a common school education and learned the hatter’s trade in Boston. He tried business in New York and then spent about twenty years in St. Louis, Missouri, where he became successful before the war damaged his finances. He served in Missouri politics as a member of the state legislature (1844–45) and as president of the Pacific Insurance Company (1855–61).

Civil War service
When the war began, McNeil joined the Union Army in May 1861 and quickly rose to captain and then colonel of the 3rd Regiment, U.S. Reserve Corps Infantry. He took part in the Camp Jackson Affair in St. Louis, where a riot occurred as state troops were surrounded and forced to surrender. He helped win the Battle of Fulton (July 17, 1861) and was then placed in command of St. Louis by General Fremont. He became colonel of the 19th Missouri Volunteers, later resigning to command a district on the Kansas border. He spent the winter organizing forces to protect Union supporters and returned in 1862 to command cavalry in Northeast Missouri.

McNeil defeated the guerrilla leader Joseph Porter at Kirksville and, in the aftermath, ordered the executions of fifteen paroled Confederates and Frisby McCullough. He then captured Palmyra in September 1862 and executed ten Confederate prisoners there, an act that drew fierce criticism from many but was defended by some Union supporters. The press and public debate over his conduct continued for years. Although Confederate President Jefferson Davis threatened to hand McNeil over to the Confederacy, the threat was not carried out. McNeil remained a controversial figure, with some praising his harsh measures and others condemning them.

Promotion and key campaigns
McNeil was promoted to brigadier general (rank from November 29, 1862). In 1863, he defended Cape Girardeau against Marmaduke’s larger force. In 1864 he commanded the district of Rolla and helped save the Missouri capital from Price’s army. He led the Second Battle of Independence on the second day of the battle and fought in the campaign that defeated Price at Newtonia. During the Battle of Westport, he was relieved of command for alleged cowardice and failure to attack the enemy; he was court-martialed, but the charges were later dismissed. He then headed the Central Missouri district until his resignation on April 12, 1865. He received the brevet rank of major general of volunteers for faithful and meritorious service.

Later life
After the war, McNeil served as clerk of the criminal court in St. Louis County (1865–67), sheriff of the county (1866–70), and again as clerk of the criminal court (1875–76). He worked as a Centennial Exposition commissioner in 1876, served as an inspector in the U.S. Indian service (1878 and 1882), and, at the time of his death, was the superintendent of the U.S. Post Office in St. Louis.

Death and burial
John McNeil died in his chair at his St. Louis office on June 8, 1891. He was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis. His monument carries the verse: Soldier, rest; thy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking.