The Rock River Rifles were organized in 1971 under the command of Sgt. Major Jack G. Grothe of the 4th Military District Staff.

The company was the first Civil War unit to participate in the Memorial Day ceremony at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetary and the St. Louis Veterans Day parade. The company has now been joined by other Civil War units. A ceremony in February 1984 at Gen. William T. Sherman's grave site in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis was started by the company which worked with the cemetary to maintain the site. This ceremony has become an annual event with other Civil War and Veteran's organizations participating.

This unit works with the "Friends of Jefferson Barracks" and "Jefferson Barracks Civil War Historical Association" to put on various re-enactments and educational programs such as the "Civil War Family Campout", "Holiday at the Barracks", and week/day schools at the Park. It also acts as the color guard for William T. Sherman Billy Yank Camp #65, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

In the past 30 years Company C has been active in Civil War educational programs, historic site preservation, and registration and care of Civil War grave sites and monuments. The members of this company have taken part in Civil War re-enactments, movies, TV productions, parades and ceremonies in the United States and overseas in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.Members of this unit have worked with the Missouri Civil War Reenactors Association, Holme's Brigade, Ladies Union Aide Society, Jefferson Barracks Civil War Historical Association, and the St. Louis Civil War Roundtable. Members of this company have served in leadership positions in most of these organizations.

Contacts:

1Sgt Edwin J. Eller, Commander
1135 Angeline Drive
St. Louis, MO 63137
(314) 868-1395

Sgt. Charles Ed Funck, III, Adjutant
60 Harneywold Drive
St. Louis, MO 63136-2402
(314) 524-3633
crfunck@juno.com