John McArthur
| John McArthur | |
|---|---|
John McArthur
|
|
| Born |
November 17, 1826 Erskine, Scotland |
| Died | May 15, 1906 (aged 79) Chicago, Illinois |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General Brevet Major General
|
| Commands held | 12th Illinois Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | |
John McArthur (November 17, 1826 – May 15, 1906) was a Union general during the American Civil War. McArthur became one of the ablest Federal commanders in the Western Theater.
McArthur was born in Erskine, Scotland. He learned to be a blacksmith and emigrated to the United States at age 23 and settled in Chicago. He was the proprietor of the Excelsior Iron Works. He also served in the Chicago Highland Guards militia unit.
Following the outbreak of the Civil War, McArthur was appointed colonel of the 12th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Shortly after, he was elevated to command the 1st Brigade in Brig. Gen. Charles F. Smith's division and saw action at the Battle of Fort Donelson. Even though Smith's division was deployed on the left flank of the Union line, McArthur's brigade was detached to John A. McClernand's division to extend the right flank toward the Cumberland River. McArthur's brigade was never positioned correctly and when the Confederates made their breakout attempt, McArthur and Richard J. Oglesby's neighboring brigade suffered heavily. Despite this both brigades withdrew in relative good order.
Following Fort Donelson, McArthur was promoted to brigadier general on March 21, 1862, and led the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division of the Army of the Tennessee at the Battle of Shiloh. Members of his brigade wore Scottish caps and were thus nicknamed the "Highland Brigade". McArthur was wounded leading his brigade in a breakout of the Confederate encirclement on the first day of Shiloh. He led his brigade during the following Siege of Corinth.
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