Mark Twain was born as Samuel Langhorne Clemens in a small Missouri town called Florida on November 30, 1835. At the age of 18, Twain left home for the New York City and Philadelphia where he worked at various newspapers. He eventually returned home in 1857 and became a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi. This new career came to a halt when the Civil War began and river traffic was disrupted. 

He decided to join a Confederate militia, the Marion Rangers, but only lasted two weeks before he quit and went West. It is not known exactly why Twain quit the militia. He defended his actions throughout the years by describing his confusion while enrolling and explained he was ignorant of the politics behind the war.

Years after his military service, Twain continued to face criticism on all sides for his involvement in the war and his alleged deserter status. 

Photo: Twain in 1850 at age 15...