sterling price (september 20, 1809 – september 29, 1867) was a soldier, lawyer, planter, and politician from the u.s. state of missouri. he served as a united states army brigadier general during the mexican-american war. he was governor of missouri from 1853 to 1857. during the american civil war price was a major general serving with the confederate states army. he is best known for his victories in new mexico and chihuahua during the mexican conflict, and for his defeats at the battles of pea ridge and westport during the civil war. following the war, price took his remaining troops to mexico rather than surrender. he tried unsuccessfully to seek service with emperor maximilian. he finally returned to missouri, where he died in poverty and was buried in st. louis.