30 Facts About Justus McKinstry

Justus McKinstry was appointed a brigadier general and assistant quartermaster in the Union Army in the early days of the American Civil War but his appointment expired without being confirmed by the United States Senate.

Justus McKinstry was suspended from his appointment and held under arrest starting November 13,1861, although his confinement was expanded to the city limits of St Louis, Missouri after February 22,1862, in anticipation of a court martial in October 1862.

Justus McKinstry was convicted of graft, corruption and fraud in the quartermaster's department in the Department of the West.

Justus McKinstry was born in Hudson, Columbia County, New York, on July 6,1814.

Justus McKinstry's parents were David McKinstry was born on 1778 and and Nancy McKinstry.

David Justus McKinstry prospered in Detroit and became influential in the community.

Justus McKinstry hoped that he might be reinstated and through his father's influence he was readmitted to the next Academy class.

Justus McKinstry re-entered the United States Military Academy on July 1,1833.

Justus McKinstry failed a math exam in 1835 but was given an extra year at the Academy and graduated 40th in a class of 45 on July 1,1838.

On July 1,1838, the day Justus McKinstry graduated from the US Military Academy, he married his second cousin, Susan Justus McKinstry, with whom he would have three sons, Charles, James and Carlisle.

Justus McKinstry was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry Regiment on July 1,1838.

For 21 months, except for a few days, Justus McKinstry commanded Company B of the 2d Infantry Regiment, in addition to his quartermaster duties, while the company commander was on recruiting duty.

Justus McKinstry was appointed a first lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry Regiment on April 18,1841.

On March 3,1847, Justus McKinstry received the rank of captain, and served as a staff officer and assistant quartermaster.

In 1851, Justus McKinstry sold this half-interest to John Bidwell.

In May 1858, Justus McKinstry developed a skin condition at Fort Brooke and was on leave awaiting orders from September 1858 until January 1860.

Justus McKinstry was stationed at St Louis, Missouri as chief quartermaster of the Department of the West on January 10,1860.

Already chief quartermaster when Fremont took command of the Department, Justus McKinstry was appointed a major and assistant quartermaster in the US Army on August 3,1861, and continued his assignment in the Department of the West.

Historian Bruce Catton cites McKinstry as performing a great service to the Union cause by introducing Brigadier General Ulysses S Grant to Fremont.

Justus McKinstry was an old West Point and regular army friend of Grant and assured Fremont that rumors of Grant's drinking habits were exaggerated and he would be stable if given a responsible command.

When Justus McKinstry passed by and asked Grant about his wait, Grant told him the circumstances.

Justus McKinstry immediately got Fremont's attention and told him that he had observed Grant's gallantry in Mexico and that he was a reliable man for the job.

Justus McKinstry was appointed a brigadier general of volunteers on September 2,1861, but the appointment expired without confirmation by the United States Senate on July 17,1862.

Meanwhile, Justus McKinstry came under investigation for his actions as quartermaster.

On November 11,1861, Hunter ordered Justus McKinstry to be arrested.

Justus McKinstry padded payrolls, forged vouchers and demanded kickbacks during his term as quartermaster.

Historian Edward G Longacre wrote that McKinstry was betrayed by disgruntled associates.

Warner and Longacre state that Justus McKinstry's sentence was the only one of its kind given to a general officer during the war.

Susan McKinstry died in 1892 and a marriage certificate from St Louis shows that Justus McKinstry married Adelaide Dickinson in 1895.

Justus McKinstry died on December 11,1897, at St Louis, Missouri.