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46-600: The Department of the West was created in a reform of army organization nationwide on October 31, 1853, from a consolidation of the existing 6th Military District (headquartered at Jefferson Barracks , Missouri) and 7th Military District ( Fort Smith, Arkansas ) Departments. It reported directly to the headquarters of the Army in Washington, D.C. In the 1853 reorganization the Department of

92-555: A brigadier general during the Mexican War, appointed Jefferson Davis as his Secretary of War . At Jefferson Barracks, in 1855, Davis soon organized the First and Second Regiments of Cavalry , known derisively as "Jeff Davis's Pets," because the commissioned personnel assigned to them were the best in the Army . Albert Sidney Johnston served as colonel and Robert E. Lee as lieutenant colonel of

138-522: A career in newspapers, serving as publisher of the Western Herald . Miller would later sell his interest in the newspaper to James Wilson , grandfather of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson . Miller was also involved in early Ohio politics through his newspaper and active in the state militia. He was able to use his political influence to be appointed a brigadier general of the Ohio militia. In March 1812, with

184-461: A dozen companies of U.S. Army troops to Chariton county. Four Missouri militia and several Native Americans were killed in a skirmish at Battle Creek in present-day Schuyler County . Chief Big Neck and many of his party were captured and put on trial in 1830, putting an end to the "Big Neck War". With the outbreak of the Blackhawk War in 1832 fears of attack once again caused Miller to call out

230-600: A powder magazine, features temporary exhibits with military themes. The Laborer's House Museum shows a typical mid 1800s family residence. The Missouri Civil War Museum opened in the park in June 2013 after an eleven-year historic renovation of the 1905 Post Exchange and Gymnasium Building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is the largest Civil War museum in the state of Missouri with over 22,000 square feet and two floors of exhibits. Displays focus on

276-480: A rest and supply station for most U.S. troops deploying to Mexico. Jefferson Barracks was the recruiting center for outfitting and training most of the regiments organized for the Mexican War in 1846, and upon the return of the triumphant U.S. forces in 1848, many were deployed to Jefferson Barracks due to its strategic location and healthful situation. In 1853, newly elected President Franklin Pierce , who had served as

322-488: A special portable switchboard set up when U.S. Presidents Carter, Ford, Nixon and Johnson were visiting St. Louis and a sculpture of Alexander Graham Bell and history of the invention of the telephone. The self-guided, accessible museum has many hands-on, how-things-work displays. 38°29′41″N 90°16′55″W  /  38.49465°N 90.28187°W  / 38.49465; -90.28187 John Miller (Missouri) John Miller (November 25, 1781 – March 18, 1846)

368-674: A state bank be established, backed by the good faith and credit of the government. This was in keeping with his belief in a hard money policy prevalent among Jacksonian Democrats and strong dislike of the Second Bank of the United States . Governor Miller proved to be an adept and frugal manager of the people's money. By the time he left office in 1832 the state's debt had been reduced to just $ 37,000. After his second term expired in November 1832 John Miller returned to Howard County, where he had

414-538: A substantial home and several business interests. He also kept his hand in politics by writing—and sometimes ghostwriting for others—newspaper editorials on issues facing the state and nation. In 1836 he was elected to the first of three consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives . Miller seldom, if ever, "made waves" in his six years in Congress, preferring to be a good "party man" and supporting

460-719: A training and recruitment station for soldiers heading to Europe . Jefferson Barracks was included in the Sixth Corps Area from 1920 to 1940. During the 1930s, the Citizens Military Training Camp or CMTC was held at Jefferson Barracks. Young men could spend one month a year at the post being trained as a soldier, and after three years they could enter the military. Also during that time the Works Progress Administration (WPA) had camps at Jefferson Barracks. During World War II , Jefferson Barracks

506-687: Is the oldest operating U.S. military installation west of the Mississippi River, and it is now used as a base for the Army and Air National Guard . A Veterans Affairs healthcare system campus is located on the southern portion of the base and is also the headquarters for the Veterans Canteen Service. In 1826 General Edmund P. Gaines (Commander of the Western Department of the Army), Brig. General Henry Atkinson (commanding officer of

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552-602: The American Civil War (1861–1865), Jefferson Barracks served as a military hospital for both sides and a recruitment depot for the North. In 1862 construction of the Western Sanitary Commission's hospital facilities began at Jefferson Barracks. By the time that the hospital complex was complete, it could hold 3,000 patients. By the end of the first year of the war, over 5,000 sick and wounded had been admitted and, by

598-659: The Department of New Mexico , and the rest being divided between the Departments of Missouri and Kansas . Department commanders were: Department of the West Western Department Jefferson Barracks The Jefferson Barracks Military Post is located on the Mississippi River at Lemay, Missouri , south of St. Louis . It was an important and active U.S. Army installation from 1826 through 1946. It

644-558: The Department of Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System - Jefferson Barracks Division. Part of the hospital grounds were donated to the Mehlville School District in the 1960s to build Charles S. Beasley Elementary School. Today, the 135-acre National Guard post at Jefferson Barracks is home to the 70th Troop Command , the Missouri Army National Guard 's largest brigade. The post is also headquarters for

690-422: The sixth infantry regiment ), explorer William Clark , and Missouri Governor John Miller spent several days searching the banks of the Mississippi River for the perfect location for a new post to replace Fort Bellefontaine . A site near the city of "Vide Poche" or Carondelet , ten miles (16 km) south of St. Louis , was recommended and then approved by Major General Jacob J. Brown , Commanding General of

736-552: The 1900s through the 2000s, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum also contains a working Central Office Step Switch, military telephones from World War II through the Vietnam War, hundreds of pieces of telephone-related equipment and tools, a telephone pole complete with climbing equipment, hundreds of pieces of telephone-related memorabilia from the 1880s through the 2000s, a large variety of novelty telephones,

782-435: The 4,933 votes cast. Governor Miller was a strong supporter of moving the state capitol from St. Charles to Jefferson City, Missouri . He also advocated establishing a state prison in the town, to further cement its role as the permanent seat of state government. In 1826 Governor Miller was asked to draw on his previous military experience and help locate a replacement for Fort Bellefontaine. After several days of searching

828-494: The Army. On July 10, 1826, two days after the deed to the land was signed, the first military troops—six officers and 245 enlisted men of Companies A, B, H and I of the 1st Infantry Regiment , commanded by Brevet Major Stephen Watts Kearny —arrived at the new post and started building temporary quarters that they named Cantonment Miller in honor of Governor Miller. In 1827 the military post was formally named Jefferson Barracks in honor of President Thomas Jefferson who had died

874-547: The Democratic policies. As far as known he never proposed new or special legislation. Dismayed by the increasing acrimony in national politics brought on by sectional hostilities, Miller chose not to seek a fourth congressional term in 1842. A lifelong bachelor and having no children of his own, Congressman Miller retired to the home of his nephew in Florissant, Missouri . He died there on March 18, 1846, at age 64. First placed in

920-474: The Department of New Mexico. Western Kentucky was added from the Department of Kentucky on August 15, 1861. Frémont was relieved by Maj. Gen. David Hunter under the orders of President Abraham Lincoln , contingent upon the circumstance that Frémont did not lead an army into battle by October 24, 1861. The Western Department was discontinued on November 9, 1861, with New Mexico Territory being transferred back to

966-620: The Pacific was also created, from consolidation of the 10th (California) and 11th (Oregon) Departments. The Department of the West's headquarters continued at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis , although it moved briefly to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas , during the Bleeding Kansas skirmishes. As the Southern states were seceding, just before the American Civil War began, the department was organized to include

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1012-543: The Region 7 Homeland Response Force; the Missouri Air National Guard 's 157th Air Operations Group and the 10th Psychological Operations Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserve . During the 1960s and 1970s, portions of Jefferson Barracks County Park were used as a landfill. During the 1980s, an annual balloon race was held in the park. Today, because of its large size, high school cross country races are often held in

1058-580: The Second Regiment of Cavalry. A list of the officers of the Second Regiment of Cavalry includes some of the ablest commanders of the U.S. Civil War. The Second Regiment of Cavalry was redesignated as the Fifth Regiment of Cavalry in 1861. The 2d U.S. Dragoons were redesignated as the 2d Regiment of Cavalry in 1861 when the War Department discontinued the use of Dragoons as a unit designation. During

1104-456: The banks of the Mississippi River , Miller, General Edmund P. Gaines (Commander of the Western Department of the Army), Brig. General Henry Atkinson (commanding officer of the sixth infantry regiment ), and explorer William Clark selected a site near the city of "Vide Poche" or Carondelet , ten miles (16 km) south of St. Louis . At first named Cantonment Miller in honor of the Governor,

1150-459: The country west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains , except for Texas , Utah Territory , and New Mexico Territory , including Missouri , Arkansas , Iowa , Minnesota , Kansas Territory (the state of Kansas after January 29, 1861), Nebraska Territory , Colorado Territory (after February 28, 1861), Dakota Territory (after March 2, 1861), Indian Territory (later

1196-504: The end of the war, well over 18,000 soldiers had been treated at Jefferson Barracks Hospital. In 2002, The Missouri Civil War Museum was founded, which is still being restored today. The MCWM is being brought to life in the old 1905 Post Exchange Building. With the declaration of the Spanish–American War in 1898, many regular army and volunteer regiments were, once again, formed and outfitted at Jefferson Barracks. Jefferson Barracks

1242-498: The establishment of the University of Missouri a decade later in 1839. Troubles with Native Americans marked Miller's second term in office as well. In July 1829 Chief Big Neck led a large group of Iowa Indians into their former hunting grounds in northern Missouri near present-day Kirksville . A minor clash with settlers soon occurred and fears of all-out war swept the frontier. In response Governor Miller sent 2,000 state militia and

1288-494: The fort to reinforce the garrison The rest of the war passed relatively uneventful for Miller save for a few small skirmishes with Native Americans. During the last months of the war he was in charge of the entire northern frontier. John Miller remained in the U.S. Army after the war's end, and was assigned to Fort Bellefontaine in the Missouri Territory . In summer, 1815 he commanded the Army troops providing security for

1334-528: The gun battery and drove off the enemy who retreated in confusion. Miller's men took 41 prisoners and spiked the guns. However, the British and Native Americans under Captain Richard Bullock regrouped and counterattacked against Miller's raiding force. Miller's detachment withdrew back into the fort with heavy casualties. Miller's actions did however distract the enemy long enough to let American relief forces reach

1380-594: The large meeting of Native Americans and U.S. officials as they negotiated the Treaties of Portage des Sioux . Miller served another three years after the event, resigning his commission in 1818. Using his political connections, John Miller was able to secure an appointment as Registrar of the Howard County United States General Land Office in Franklin, Missouri in 1818. At the time Franklin

1426-497: The militia, but Missouri remained out of the limited fighting in that war. The Santa Fe Trail was proving to be lucrative, if sometimes dangerous, for Missouri merchants in the late 1820s and early 1830s as well. At Miller's urging, the General Assembly petitioned the federal government to provide U.S. Army escorts to wagon trains as protection from Native Americans and bandits. In his final term Governor Miller recommended that

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1472-551: The name was changed in October 1826 to Jefferson Barracks . John Miller ran for a second term as governor in 1828 and ran unopposed. He would be the only Missouri governor to serve consecutive terms until Warren E. Hearnes in the 1960s. During his second term Miller continued to espouse Jeffersonian principles of limited government. However he did urge the state general assembly to provide support for public education through use of funds generated by land sales. This would help lead to

1518-468: The park in the fall months, most notably the Hancock Invitational. Jefferson Barracks County Park includes the several museums, museums that house artifacts and history of Jefferson Barracks while it was an active United States Military Post. The Powder Magazine Museum focuses on the history of Jefferson Barracks from its inception in 1826 until its closure in 1946. The Old Ordnance Room, also once

1564-472: The state Constitution, Lieutenant Governor, Benjamin H. Reeves would have finished out Bates' term. However, the previous month, July 1825, Reeves had resigned to take a post with the U.S. government. The governorship then fell temporarily to Senate President Pro Tempore Abraham J. Williams until a special election could be held on December 8, 1825. In that special election John Miller edged out Judge David Todd, William C. Carr, and Rufus Easton with 2,380 of

1610-431: The state of Oklahoma ), and Louisiana west of the Mississippi River. On June 6, 1861, Missouri was transferred to the Department of the Ohio . On July 31, 1861, the Department of the West was merged into the Western Department of Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont . The Western Department, which had been organized on July 3, 1861, also included Missouri and Illinois from the Department of the Ohio and New Mexico Territory from

1656-500: The state's role during the American Civil War and exhibit hundreds of remarkable artifacts from the Civil War. Additional galleries in the museum focus on the history of Jefferson Barracks, veterans organizations, and the Civil War in pop culture. The museum has also renovated the adjacent 1918 Post Exchange Building, which is used for museum educational and public programs. Besides its extensive collection of telephones manufactured from

1702-458: The threat of war against Great Britain looming, John Miller joined the regular U.S. Army. His rank reduced to lieutenant colonel, Miller was at first assigned to the 17th Infantry Regiment . Then in July 1812 he was promoted to full colonel and transferred to command the 19th Infantry. As commander of the 19th Colonel Miller distinguished himself in one of the bigger battles on the western frontier during

1748-519: The war, the Siege of Fort Meigs . With the British and their Native American allies laying siege to the fort, General (and future U.S. president) William Henry Harrison ordered units from the fort to raid and attack the British gun positions on the south bank of the Miami River. On May 13, 1813, Colonel Miller led 350 regulars and volunteers in a raid-like sortie attacking the gun battery. Miller's men attacked

1794-484: The year before. Even William Clark's son, Meriwether Lewis Clark Sr. , would join the ranks of Jefferson Barracks. It was also designated the first "Infantry School of Practice." The first conflict that the men of Jefferson Barracks were involved with was the Black Hawk War in 1832. Troops were deployed from Jefferson Barracks to push "hostile Indians " back into their village in present-day Iowa . Chief Black Hawk

1840-617: Was a booming river town and the epicenter of Missouri politics. Miller held the Registrar's position until 1825, becoming friends with a group of men who would eventually be known as the "Central Clique" and dominate Missouri Democratic politics through the 1840s. Originally a Democratic-Republican , Miller and friends became staunch Jacksonian Democrats led by Senator Thomas Hart Benton . Missouri endured its first governmental crisis in August 1825 when Governor Frederick Bates died in office. Under

1886-534: Was a major reception center for U.S. troops being drafted into the military . It also served as an important basic training site for the Army, then later was the first Army Air Corps Training Site. Elements of the Central (later Eastern) Technical Training Command were stationed at the barracks. During World War II, Jefferson Barracks had a peak area of 1,518 acres (6.14 km ), and had billeting space for 16 officers and 1,500 enlisted persons. Jefferson Barracks

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1932-438: Was an American publisher , War of 1812 veteran, and politician from Missouri . A Democrat , Miller was the fourth Governor of Missouri (1826 to 1832) before serving three terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1837 to 1843. John Miller was born November 25, 1781, near Martinsburg , Virginia (now West Virginia ). Little is known of his youth or family history. In 1803 Miller moved to Ohio and began

1978-626: Was captured and brought back to Jefferson Barracks. In 1832, the United States Regiment of Dragoons were formed and stationed at Jefferson Barracks. The dragoons, trained to fight mounted or dismounted, were the first unit of permanent cavalry in the United States Army and were later called the 1st U.S. Dragoons . Jefferson Barracks became a major military post during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848) when it served as

2024-466: Was decommissioned as a military post in 1946 with the end of World War II. After Jefferson Barracks was decommissioned, portions of the grounds were sold off for construction of houses. Some of the barracks were acquired by the St. Louis County Housing Authority as temporary low-cost housing. Those were demolished in the 1960s and replaced by the current Jefferson Townhomes development. Bishop DuBourg High School

2070-562: Was located on the Jefferson Barracks property for several years in the early 1950s. The former Jefferson Barracks School is now used for storage and maintenance; and the former theater is St. Bernadette Catholic Church. It is now the site of two St. Louis County Parks (Jefferson Barracks County Park and Sylvan Springs County Park), a National Guard Base (Army and Air), the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and

2116-421: Was permanently designated as a recruiting depot in 1906; it had been used intermittently as such through generations. On March 1, 1912, Jefferson Barracks became the main base for the first experiments in aviation parachuting. Albert Berry became the first person to successfully parachute from an airplane, which was being flown by Anthony Jannus over the field. During World War I , Jefferson Barracks served as

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