I will gladly give up my life for victory.

I will gladly give up my life for victory.. Nathaniel Lyon admitted this to John Schofield, Chief of Staff.. Nathaniel Lyon was the first Union general to be killed in the Civil War. At the end of the day the outcome of the battle was in favor of the South. But as Missouri remained in the Union the value of Lyon's actions materialized. "He had given the Union men of Missouri time, opportunity and courage to bring their State Convention together again...to establish a State Government which was loyal to the Union and use the whole organized power of the State. ...to sustain the Union and crush the South," reflected Thomas L. Snead, a colonel in the Southern Army., Overnight, Lyon became a national hero. His family was called to claim his remains. A military escort was arranged and the body taken by train back to Lyon's hometown of Eastford, Connecticut. Thousands turned out at each stop to view the body, lying in state, draped in flags and banners, and strewn with flowers in a grand display of national mourning., As the Civil War raged on, and many more generals were killed, the success and sacrifice attributed to General Lyon receded into history., (captions) , The military escort took Lyon's body by wagon to Rolla and then on to St. Louis. , This marker commemorating General Lyon was unveiled in 1883 and moved to Springfield National Cemetery in 1884. , In St. Louis the casket was placed on a train. It stopped in four cities allowing the public to pay their respects. , A military Style march was composed for the hero's funeral. , The last of Lyon's journey to his final resting place was again by wagon. , This marker is on General Lyon's grave in Phoenixville, Connecticut where he is buried beside his parents.