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George enlisted as private in Company I, 8th Missouri Cavalry, U.S. Army, in Linn Creek, Missouri, on April 13, 1861. Because he was only 16 years old, he lied about his age in order to enlist (he claimed to be 18).

Shortly after his enlistment George was wounded in the right ankle by an accidental pistol shot. On November 20, 1863, he was discharged from the army as medically unfit.

On March 13, 1864, George enlisted in Company I, 12th Missouri Cavalry, U.S. Army, at Benton Barracks, Missouri, that time giving his correct age of 19 years. He served with his regiment at the Battle of Nashville, and while on duty in Memphis, Tennessee, he accidentally dropped a piece of railroad iron on his right foot.

After the war George served with his regiment against the Indians, until he was mustered out of the army on April 9, 1866, at Fort Levenworth, Kansas.

Sometime after leaving the army George's foot was amputated as a result of the two injuries he suffered, and for this he was granted a pension of $30.00 per month.

On December 16, 1866, he and Mary Elizabeth Litzinger were married by W.E. Reed, Justice of the Peace of Versailles. At the time, she was pregnant with their first child. This, along with the fact that Mary's father - a Baptist minister in Versailles - supported the South during the Civil War - no doubt explain why they were not married in a church ceremony.

After the war, when the outlaws Frank and Jessie James were roaming Missouri, they would often seek refuge for a night with friends around Blue Springs (where they had grown up). On at least one occasion, they are thought to have spent the night on the Campbell farm in Blue Springs because one night, George told his boys not to 'tell anyone that we've have visitors.'

While George lived in Blue Springs he claimed to be an orphan, perhaps because his family supported the South during the war and because he fought for the North (this is only an assumption).

On January 2, 1902, George died at the home of a friend who had died previously while 'sitting up' with him (as was the custom at the time).

History of Lafayette County, MO:

John F. Eagan, Private, Shelby's Command; enlisted in Jackson County on 13 Aug 1862. Was in battles of Lone Jack, Cane Hill, Little Rock, Prairie Grove, Cape Girardeau, Helena, Marshall, etc. Captured near Chapel Hill, but escaped. On muster rolls of Jan and Feb 1864. Left sick near Washington Co, AR.

On roll of prisoners, Shanks' Rgt, surrendered New Orleans, LA, by Gen. E. K. Smith to MG Canby 26 May 1865. Paroled at Shreveport, LA, 14 Jun 1865.

Born 28 Jan 1827 in Lexington, Lafayette Co., Missouri. Enlisted 8 Feb 1864 in Camden, Arkansas. Surrendered by E.K. Smith in New Orleans on 26 May 1865. Paroled at Shreveport, Louisiana on 14 June 1865. Died 24 June 1893 in Johnson Co., Missouri.

Born 20 March 1836 in Johnson Co., Missouri. Enlisted 21 Sept 1862 in Johnson Co. Captured 4 Aug 1864 in Pemiscot Co., Missouri. Released from Gratiot Street Prison on amnesty oath on 22 Feb 1865, after spending six months with a six pound cannon ball chained to his left leg. Died 29 June 1896 in Fall River, Shasta Co., California.

Was from Ohio. Enlisted in Co. K, 12 Missouri Calvary (CSA) in Missouri. At the end of the war, regiment was in Shreveport, Louisiana. He ultimately went to Shiloh, LA, where he married the widow, Mary Edmunds Tabor. He was murdered on March 15, 1872, in Trenton (now West Monroe), LA.