John Alexander McClernand

John Alexander McClernand 1812-1900, Union general in the American Civil War, b. Breckinridge co., Ky. He was admitted (1832) to the Illinois bar and sat as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives (1843-51, 1859-61). At the outbreak of the Civil War he resigned from Congress, raised a brigade of Illinois volunteers, and was made a brigadier general (May, 1861). He fought at Fort Donelson (Feb., 1862) and at Shiloh (April). Through political influence he superseded William T. Sherman (Jan. 2, 1863) in command of the river expedition in the Vicksburg campaign . After McClernand—upon Sherman's suggestion—had successfully assaulted Arkansas Post (Jan. 11), Ulysses S. Grant assumed his command. In Grant's successful advance on Vicksburg, McClernand led the 13th Corps, fighting at Port Gibson and Champion's Hill, but he was subsequently relieved (June) for insubordination. Restored to his command in Feb., 1864, he resigned his commission in November and returned to the legal profession.

McClernand, John Alexander (1812–1900) Union general, born near Hardinsburg, Kentucky. McClernand commanded a brigade under the command of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Promoted to major general after the victory at Fort Donelson (1862), McClernand widely boasted of his success, claiming more for his own brigade than was warranted. More self-aggrandizing claims and kudos to his own corps followed Shiloh (1862) and Vicksburg (1863), the latter angering Grant sufficiently to have him dismiss McClernand. Though restored to command the following winter, McClernand destroyed what little of his reputation remained during the botched and ill-fated Red River campaign. He resigned later that year (1864).