Nathaniel Lyon was a Union general during the American Civil War, known for his early military leadership. Born on July 14, 1818, in New York, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1841. Lyon played a significant role in the early battles of the war, particularly in Missouri, where he sought to secure the state for the Union. Lyon is best remembered for his actions at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in August 1861, where he was killed in combat. His leadership and dedication to the Union cause made him a notable figure in the conflict, and he was posthumously promoted to the rank of brigadier general.