John C. Black
| John Charles Black | |
|---|---|
John C. Black
|
|
| Born |
January 27, 1839 Lexington, Mississippi |
| Died | August 17, 1915 (aged 76) Chicago, Illinois |
| Place of burial | Spring Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum, Danville, Illinois |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |
 Colonel Brevet Brigadier General
|
| Unit | 11th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Commands held | 37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | Lawyer, Pension Commissioner, U.S. Representative |
John Charles Black (January 27, 1839 – August 17, 1915) was a Democratic U.S. Congressman and received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a Union Army lieutenant colonel and regimental commander at the Battle of Prairie Grove during the American Civil War.
John Charles Black was born in Lexington, Mississippi on January 27, 1839 and moved to Danville, Illinois in 1847. His father was a minister of the Presbyterian Church. Black attended Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, and became a lawyer.
On April 14, 1861, Black (along with his brother, William P. Black) entered the Union Army as a private in the 11th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment on April 14, 1861. He became sergeant major on April 25, 1861.
After three months of service, the brothers were mustered out of the volunteers and organized Company "K" of the 37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. John Black became major of the regiment on September 5, 1861. He was wounded in the right arm at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, on March 7, 1862. In July 12, 1862, John Black was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and became commander of the 37th Illinois Infantry. Black led his regiment against a fortified Confederate position during the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas on December 7, 1862. The unit suffered heavy casualties and was eventually forced to retreat. Black himself was seriously wounded. An 1896 review of numerous actions during the war resulted in John Black being awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Prairie Grove. Black's brother William also received the medal, making them the first of five pairs of brothers to both receive the Medal of Honor as of 2005.
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