Born in Germany, Joseph Conrad immigrated to the U.S. and rose from captain of the 3rd Missouri Infantry to command of the 15th Missouri Infantry as colonel. He fought at Wilson’s Creek, Pea Ridge, Corinth, Perryville, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge, later commanding a brigade at Franklin, where his men held an exposed line before being overrun. Brevetted brigadier general in 1866, he remained in the Army, retiring as colonel in 1882.