Everything about John Mcclernand totally explained
John Alexander McClernand (
May 30 1812 –
September 20 1900) was an
American lawyer and politician, and a
Union general in the
American Civil War.
Early life and political career
McClernand was born in
Breckinridge County, Kentucky, near
Hardinsburg, but his family moved to
Shawneetown, Illinois when he was quite young. His early life and career were similar to that of another Illinois lawyer of the time,
Abraham Lincoln. He was largely self-educated and was admitted to the Illinois
bar in 1832. In that same year he served as a volunteer
private in the
Blackhawk War (Lincoln briefly served as a captain).
In 1835 McClernand founded the
Shawneetown Democrat newspaper, which he edited. As a
Democrat he served in 1836 and in 1840–43 in the
Illinois House of Representatives, and in 1843–51 and in 1859–61 was a representative in the
United States Congress, where in his first term he vigorously opposed the
Wilmot Proviso, but in his second term was a strong
Unionist and introduced the resolution of
July 15 1861, pledging money and men to the national government. He was known for his bombastic oratory and his adherence to
Jacksonian principles. His dislike of
abolitionists generated favor among his constituents, many of whom were originally natives of slaveholding states, as he was. In 1860 he was defeated in a bid for the
speakership of the House of Representatives; the coalition of representatives opposing him objected to his moderate views on slavery and the importance of retaining the Union.
As a politician, McClernand remained a staunch Unionist Democrat, much like his mentor,
Stephen Douglas. McClernand served as Douglas' ally and liaison in the House during the
Compromise of 1850 debates, and later served as one of his campaign managers in the divisive
Democratic presidential nomination convention held in
Charleston, South Carolina in 1860.
Civil War
He resigned from Congress, raised the "McClernand Brigade" in Illinois, and was commissioned
brigadier general of volunteers on
May 17 1861. His commission as a general was based not on his brief service in the Blackhawk War, but on Lincoln's desire to retain political connections with the Democrats of Southern Illinois. He was second in command under
Ulysses S. Grant at the
Battle of Belmont (Missouri) in November 1861, and commanded the 1st Division of Grant's army at
Fort Donelson; his division, whose flank wasn't properly anchored on an obstacle, was struck by a surprise attack on
February 15 1862, and driven back almost two miles before he was able to get reinforcements. On
March 21 1862, he was promoted to
major general of volunteers for his service at Donelson. At the
Battle of Shiloh he commanded a division, which was practically a reserve to
William T. Sherman's. His service as a major general was tainted by political maneuvering, well resented by his colleagues. He sought to replace General
George B. McClellan in the Eastern Theater and criticized Grant's maneuvers in the Western.
In October 1862, McClernand used his political influence with
Illinois Governor Richard Yates to obtain a leave of absence to visit
Washington, D.C. and President Lincoln, hoping to receive an important independent command.
Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton agreed to order him north to raise troops for the expedition against
Vicksburg. Early in January 1863, at
Milliken's Bend, McClernand superseded Sherman as the leader of the force that was to move down the Mississippi. On
January 11 1863, he took
Arkansas Post, an expedition considered by Grant and most historians as a distraction from a general campaign against Vicksburg. On
January 17, Grant, after receiving the opinion of
Admiral Andrew H. Foote and General Sherman that McClernand was unfit, united a part of his own troops with those of McClernand and assumed command in person, and three days later ordered McClernand back to Milliken's Bend. During the rest of the
Vicksburg Campaign there was much friction between McClernand and his colleagues; he intrigued for the removal of Grant, spreading rumors to the press of Grant drinking on the campaign.
It was Grant's opinion that at
Champion Hill (
May 16 1863) McClernand was dilatory, but Grant bided his time, waiting for insubordination that was blatant enough to justify removing his politically powerful rival. After a bloody and unsuccessful assault against the Vicksburg entrenchments (ordered by Grant), McClernand wrote a congratulatory order to his corps, which was published in the press, contrary to an order of the department and another of Grant. He was relieved of his command on
June 18, two weeks before the fall of Vicksburg, and was replaced by General
Edward O. C. Ord.
President Lincoln, who saw the importance of conciliating a leader of the Illinois
War Democrats, restored McClernand to a field command in 1864, the
XIII Corps of the Department of the Gulf. Illness limited his role and he resigned from the Army on
November 30 1864. He played a prominent role in the funeral of Lincoln, his old friendly rival.
Postbellum life
McClernand was district judge of the Sangamon (Illinois) District in 1870–73, and was president of the
1876 Democratic National Convention. McClernand's last public service was on a federal advisory board overseeing the
Utah Territory. Despite his resignation, he was able to receive an Army pension due to an act of Congress.
John McClernand died in
Springfield, Illinois. He is buried there in
Oak Ridge Cemetery.
His son,
Edward John McClernand, was notable in the
Indian Wars and later in the
Philippines. His wife Sarah was the daughter of
James Dunlap, another general in the
Union Army.
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