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John A. McClernand

John Alexander McClernand
John A. McClernand(01085v).jpg
McClernand as a U.S. Army general
Member of the United States House of Representatives for Illinois' 6th district
In office
November 8, 1859 – October 28, 1861
Preceded by Charles D. Hodges
Succeeded by Anthony L. Knapp
Member of the United States House of Representatives for Illinois' 2nd district
In office
March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1851
Preceded by Zadok Casey
Succeeded by Willis Allen
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
1840–1843
In office
1836
Personal details
Born May 30, 1812
Breckinridge County, Kentucky
Died September 20, 1900(1900-09-20) (aged 88)
Springfield, Illinois
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Sarah McClernand,
Minerva McClernand
Children Edward John McClernand
Occupation Military officer
Profession Politician, lawyer
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1832, 1861–1864
Rank Union Army major general rank insignia.svg Major General of Volunteers
Battles/wars

Black Hawk War
American Civil War


Black Hawk War
American Civil War

John Alexander McClernand (May 30, 1812 – September 20, 1900) was an American lawyer and politician, and a Union general in the American Civil War. He was a classic case of the politician-in-uniform coming into conflict with career Army officers, graduates of the United States Military Academy. He was a prominent Democratic politician in Illinois and a representative in the U.S. Congress before the war and then served as a subordinate commander under Ulysses S. Grant in the Western Theater, fighting in the battles of Belmont, Fort Donelson, and Shiloh in 1861–62.

A close friend and political ally of Abraham Lincoln, McClernand was given permission to recruit a force to conduct an operation against Vicksburg, Mississippi, which would rival the effort of Grant, his department commander. Grant was able to neutralize McClernand's independent effort after it conducted an expedition to win the Battle of Arkansas Post, and McClernand became the senior corps commander in Grant's army for the Vicksburg Campaign in 1863. During the Siege of Vicksburg, Grant relieved McClernand of his command by citing his intemperate and unauthorized communication with the press, finally putting an end to a rivalry that had caused Grant discomfort since the beginning of the war. McClernand left the Army in 1864 and served as a judge and a politician in the postbellum era.


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