Civil War Union Brigadier General. His Civil War service was performed entirely within Missouri. A native of Nova Scotia, he moved to St. Louis in 1840 to engage in the fur trade. When the war broke out, he became colonel of the 3d Regiment, U.S. Reserve Corps & was involved in the capture of Camp Jackson. He became colonel of the 2d Missouri State Militia Cavalry & was promoted to brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers. In 1862, McNeil ordered 10 prisoners being held in Palmyra, Missouri shot in retaliation for the disappearance & presumed murder of a Union man. The political repercussions of the "Palmyra Massacre" dogged McNeil for the next 20 years. After the war McNeil was twice clerk of the criminal court of St. Louis County & county sheriff. He held a series of Federal positions including superintendent of the St. Louis branch post office.
Civil War Union Brigadier General. His Civil War service was performed entirely within Missouri. A native of Nova Scotia, he moved to St. Louis in 1840 to engage in the fur trade. When the war broke out, he became colonel of the 3d Regiment, U.S. Reserve Corps & was involved in the capture of Camp Jackson. He became colonel of the 2d Missouri State Militia Cavalry & was promoted to brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers. In 1862, McNeil ordered 10 prisoners being held in Palmyra, Missouri shot in retaliation for the disappearance & presumed murder of a Union man. The political repercussions of the "Palmyra Massacre" dogged McNeil for the next 20 years. After the war McNeil was twice clerk of the criminal court of St. Louis County & county sheriff. He held a series of Federal positions including superintendent of the St. Louis branch post office.
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