Born in Pennsylvania, Robert Ralston Lawther worked as a merchant in New York and then in Iowa. After getting married to a young woman from Kentucky, Lawther moved to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he worked at a gro-cer. In 1861, Lawther was a volunteer aide de camp to Col. Alexander E. Steen in the Missouri State Guard. Later in 1861, Lawther was commissioned colonel of 1st Cavalry Regiment, 6th Division in the Missouri State Guard. Lawther entered Confederate service in January 1862 as major of the 1st Missouri Cavalry (Dismounted). Lawther resigned in June 1862 to recruit a regiment of par-tisan rangers. By the end of August, Lawther’s Partisan Rangers consisted of five companies. While in Pulaski County, Missouri, Lawther was attacked by Federal troops. Escaping north into Osage County with the Federals in hot pursuit, Lawther decided to turn and fight. There were several casualties, and Lawther himself was captured in September 1862, incarcerated at Gratiot Prison in St. Louis, and later exchanged. After his exchange, Lawther continued to recruit a cavalry regiment, but was having trouble enlisting enough men. In December 1863, Lawther’s command was consolidated with another command to form the 10th Missouri Cavalry (CSA) with Lawther as colonel. After the war, Lawther moved to Galveston, Texas, and engaged in the wholesale grocery business.
Monnett, Action Before Westport, 1864, 140.
McGhee, Guide to Missouri Confederate Units, 1861-1865, 68-72, 186-189.
Allardice, Confederate Colonels: A Biographical Register, 47, 88, 123-124, 154, 171-172.
Nichols, “Re: Robert Ralston Lawther.” The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board, October 21, 2012. Link.
Ware, “Robert Ralston Lawther.” Find A Grave, February 10, 2009. Link.