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General Joseph Anthony Mower began his military career as a private in the Mexican War.  In 1855 he was appointed a second lieutenant of the 1st U.S. Infantry.  During the CIvil War he made a magnificent record as regimental, brigade, divisional, and corps commander successively.  Elected colonel of the 11th Missouri Infantry in May, 1862, he was promoted to brigadier general on March 16, 1863, and to major general on August 12, 1864.  By the end of the war he had been brevetted for gallantry through all grades to that of major general in the regular service.  He fought at the battle of Iuka and Corinth where he was wounded, captured, escaped, and recaptured.  Next he directed a brigade of W.T. Sherman's XV Corps in the Vicksburg campaign.  He accompanied N.P. Banks on the ill-fated campaign up the Red River, led the attacking column into Fort De Russy, and commanded the rear guard at Yellow Bayou during the retreat.  Soon after he was given command of a division.  Sherman stated Mower was "the boldest young soldier we have."  Mower served with Sherman in Georgia and the Carolna campaign after taking part against Sterling Price in the latter's "invasion of Missouri" in the early part of 1864.  Mower stayed in the Regular Army after the war and died in New Orleans in 1870.

 

This is a bust shot of General Mower with no backmark.  Someone has written some of his information in ball point ink on the back.