Another Midwesterner who, like his first commanding officer, U.S. Grant, during the Civil War, would prove himself to be a cut above his fellow soldiers was a young merchant named Nineveh Shaw McKeen (1837-1890). He enlisted June 14, 1861 in Marshall, Illinois and mustered in June 28, 1861 in Springfield, Illinois. At the time, McKeen was 24 years old, 5’11” in height, light complexioned, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Before he’d see the elephant, Civil War slang for a soldier’s first time in combat, he’d marry America Mary Lake, on December 30, 1861, who’d through the years bear him three children; Benjamin, Lida, and Edwin.

His regiment was originally mustered into State service as the Seventh Congressional District Regiment under the “Ten Regiment Bill” on May 15, 1861 at Mattoon, Illinois by a then little known Captain named Hiram Ulysses Grant. Rechristened as the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, it would be mustered into Federal service on June 28, 1861 by Colonel Grant, who was then promoted to Brigadier General on August 7, 1861. McKeen was commissioned as First Lieutenant of Company H of the 21st.

The Sand Man Of War

Destined to be known forever as Grant’s first command; the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment would serve with distinction at the battles of Stones River, Liberty Gap and Chickamauga. For his part, First Lieutenant Nineveh Shaw McKeen would be conspicuous in the charge at Battle of Stones River/Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he was three times wounded (on December 30, 1862, his first wedding anniversary) and at Battle of Hoover/Liberty Gap, Tennessee, he captured the colors of 8th Arkansas Infantry (on June 25, 1863). He himself was captured at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863 and was sent as a prisoner-of-war to the infamous Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, where McKeen suffered along with fellow Union officers.