PRICE, STERLING ( 1809-67). An American soldier, born in Prince Edward County, Va. He was educated at Hampden-Sidney College, but removed to Chariton County, Mo., in 1831. In 1844 he was elected to Congress, but in 1846 be resigned and raised the Second Missouri Cavalry for the lexican War. Under Gen. Stephen \V. Kearney he marched from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Ft% suppressed an insur rection, and completed the conquest of California. Ere was promoted to be brigadier-general of volunteers July 20, 1847, marched to Chihuahua, and defeated a Mexican force in one of the last battles of the war at Santa Cruz de Rasales, March 16, 1848. From 1853 to 1S37 he was Governor of Missouri. In the beginning of 1861 lie was a 'Conditional Union' man, and co operated with F. P. Blair (q.v.) and his 'Uncon ditional Union' party in calling the convention, of which he became president, to consider the secession of the State. lle eventually joined the secessionists, was appointed major-general of State troops, Slay 18th, and began to organize the forces. He participated, under McCulloch, in the battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861; retreated before General Frionont, and spent the winter at Springfield. On the approach of Gen. S. R. Curtis, he retreated into northwest Ar
kansas. On March 7-8, 1862, he participated, under Van Dorn, in the battle of Pea Ridge, and soon afterwards was inide a major-general of the Confederate Army, his commission being dated the day before this battle. Next he served around Corinth, and joined General Beauregard at Tupelo. He was assigned to command the Army of the West, but operated first in Ten nessee. On September 19, 1862, he was defeated by Roseerans at Inka, Miss., and on October 3-4, 1862, took part in General Van Dorn's unsuccess ful attack on Corinth. Ile served in northern Mississippi until February, 1863, when he was transferred to Arkansas. On July 21, 1863. he took part in the unsuccessful attack on Helena. While in command of the district of Arkansas, under Gen. E. Kirby Smith, be opposed Gen. Frederic Steele. In September, 1864, he made a raid into Missouri, fought a number of battles and skirmishes, and gained 5000 recruits, but was forced to retreat into southwest Arkansas. At the close of the war he went to Mexico and became interested in a colonization scheme, but returned in 1866. Consult Snead, The Fight for Missouri (New York, 1886).