Civil War soldier and Captain of a Ram Vessel.

At the age of 4, in 1842 his family moved to Marine, Ill. His fahter was a native of Vermont and was a skilled carpenter and builder. While a student in at Jacksonville, College he volunteered and aided in forming a company in July 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War. They were taken to St. Louis and became Company D, 9th Missouri regiment. He was made a Lt. in Feb. 1862 this reegiment became the 59th Illinois, and campaigned in S.W. Missouri. Engagements included Lexington, La Mine, Springfield. His younger brother, Eugene, was killed during the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Lt Warren D. Crandall was in commande of the company during this Campaign.

In April 1862 along with 5 other officers and 50 men he was detailed to proceed by rail to New Albany, Indiana at which palce each of the six officiers was placed in charge of a Ram vessel to go on the Mississippi river under the command of Capt. Ellet. They were drilled in a peculiar manner, the designed being to run down rebel boalts. Their vessels carried no cannons. After May 1st., 1862 they sailed down to Cairo, Illinois and then to Fort Pillow.

The little fleet of six ram vessels followed the rebel ships to Memphis. Attack was made on June 6, 1862. Ellet's vessel had stranded and he signalled Lt. Crandall to come alongside to carry a letter demanding the surrender of the City of Memphis. Under the flag of truce he called upon the Mayor, the party consisting of Lr. Crandall, a medical cadet and two men. The bluff was crowded with people witnessing the batle. Mayor Park of Memphis declared it would be dangerous to place the Federal Flag upon the post office. No head was given to his warning by the little party and four and the stars and stripes soon waved over the building. They were fired upon and the Mayor again asked them to desist, but they stood by their colors. Soon after Lt. Crandall returned to his ram vessel and left a guard over the Post Office. Later Indiana troops arrived and took possession of the City of Memphis. In 1892, Lt. Crandall visited Memphis with the Missouri Press Association (being that he was the editor of a newspaper in Brookfield, Missouri) and he was most hospitably entertained by the citizens of the same City where 40 years before an effort was made to kill him and his little group of four placed the U.S. Flag on the Post office building at the surrender of Memphis in June 1862.

Lt. Crandall was placed on the staff of General Rosencrans and served in this place until 1864 when he was ordered to report to the front on the James River in Virginia. After three and one half years of service he resigned at the close of 1864 and returned to St. Louis, but was not discharged until the fianl muster out in Washington in 1865. He meet his future wife while on recruiting duty for the Ram Fleet in St.Louis, he had married Miss Georgia Maria Nance.. a school teacher at Clay School and principal of Benton School of St. Louis, Missouri first Highschool). Completing the study of law he was admitted to the bar in 1865.

Having two cousins in Brookfield, Missouri (one was Ross Crandall), he went there in August 1865 with Mrs. Crandall. He founded a newspaper and called it the Gazette in 1867 which he edited and conducted until he was made Postmaster by United States President Harrison, June 15, 1889. He sold half interest in the Gazette and one year later, 1890, he sold the Gazette entirely. He and his family (wife, son and daughter) , became residents of St. Louis in 1896. Two other daughters died as small children in Brookfield, Missoui. Lt. Crandall became Adjutant General of the Ram fleet was historian of the organization until his death in 1919.

Warren D. Crandall departed his life at his home in St. Louis on the evening of June 30th, 1919. as peaceful as calms as the sun was setting, thus evidencing the peaceful and Christ-like nature that he had so long lived. Religious services devoted to his memory, were held in the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church of St. Louis, of which he as a Senior Deacon, attended by a large concourse of people, embracing his immediate family, friends and former comrades.
Only two of his former Mississippi Marine Brigade was present, but a representative delegation of Ransom Post, G.A.R., to which he belonged was present and conducted the beautiful Ritual Service of the G.A.R.

He was a true gentleman, an upgright husband, father, a patriotic citizen and a loyal comrade; a good man, a true and noble soul.

The above was wrtten by James W. Whittlesey of "The Historian"-- St. Louis, Missour. Edited and Published for the Socitey of the Survivors of the Ram Fleet and Marine Brigade - Civil War 1861-1865..

David Witte
Renee Crandall-Witte