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 War. 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 Corinth, 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.

See studies by A. E. Castel (1968) and R. E. Shalhoyse (1971).

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