Major General John Alexander McClernand: Politician in Uniform

Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Summer 2000 by Balsamo, Larry T

Major General John Alexander McClernand: Politician in Uniform. By Richard L. Kiper. (Kent, Ohio: The Kent State University Press, 1999. Pp. Xii, 386. Illustrations, maps, index. $35.00)

During the Civil War President Abraham Lincoln found it necessary and expedient to appoint hundreds of politically prominent civilians directly to high military rank. Most of these individuals lacked a formal military education or relevant military experience. Some of these "amateurs" such as John A. Logan and Frank Blair became effective commanders at the corps level. Others, such as Nathaniel Banks, Benjamin Butler, Franz Sigel, and John McClernand have been judged by scholars of the Civil War over the last century as at best barely mediocre if not incompetent. Many would agree with General Henry Halleck's 1864 comment to William T. Sherman that "it seems but little better than murder to give important commands to such men as Banks, Butler, McClernand ... and yet it seems impossible to prevent it." Now in this new biography of McClernand historian Richard Kiper provides us with a more balanced picture of one of the most controversial figures of the war.

John Alexander McClernand was a native of Kentucky and a lifelong resident of Shawneetown, Jacksonville, and Springfield, Illinois. A lawyer and newspaper editor he served his Democratic Party with distinction in the U.S. Congress during the turbulent 1840s and 1850s. An exponent of moderation and compromise, he was a close ally and chief lieutenant of Stephen A. Douglas. Upon the death of the "Little Giant" in June of 1861 McClernand was the most prominent Democrat in Illinois to support the Union cause. At the time of his selection as Brigadier General McClernand's sole military experience consisted of a three month stint as a volunteer staff officer during the Black Hawk War.

According to Kiper, McClernand was brash, energetic, assertive, confident, and patriotic. He tirelessly sought an independent command with which he expected to clear the Mississippi River of rebel opposition. Ever the politician, he was not at all shy about seeking the support of prominent Prairie State Republicans such as Governor Richard Yates, Congressman Elihu Washburne, and Senator Lyman Trumbull to further his military ambitions and safeguard the welfare of his troops. He communicated directly with President Lincoln, which was counter to the standing regulations of the War Department.

McClernand saw plenty of action as brigade, division, and corps commander and the author notes that he made his share of mistakes. He lost contact with one of his regiments at Belmont and was responsible for a failed and unauthorized attack at Fort Donelson. His slowness of movement allowed time for rebel forces to mount a spirited defense of Port Gibson. Kiper also points out that McClernand had ability, learned fast, and on numerous occasions did quite well. His stalwart actions at Shiloh helped prevent a near-total debacle. His leadership of the successful action at Arkansas Post was a prime example of efficient planning. None doubted his personal courage and coolness under fire wherever he and his troops were engaged.

McClernand was convinced that a "cabal" of West Point trained generals was determined to thwart his ambitions and destroy his career. The Illinois General had arrayed against him a powerful group of antagonists including Admiral David Dixon Porter and Generals Ulysses Grant, William T. Sherman, Henry Halleck, and James B. McPherson. Kiper seems on firm ground when he concludes that these powerful adversaries and Secretary of War Stanton worked together to deny McClernand the true independent command he wanted so badly in late 1862 and early 1863. On the other hand, the author also clearly shows that McClernand was overly ambitious and insubordinate. He was his own worst enemy and his rash violation of Grant's departmental regulations caused his removal from command of his corps shortly before the fall of Vicksburg. When restored to active duty in 1864 it was only for a few months in one of the backwater theaters of operation.

This is by no means a full-scale biography. McClernand's rich pre-war career is covered in only one chapter and the same is also true of the last thirty-five years of McClernand's life. Kiper writes clearly. The numerous maps are well placed and aid the reader in understanding the battlefields where John McClernand and his command fought. Those who read this good book based on solid research will gain a much better understanding of John Alexander McClernand's role in the American Civil War.

Larry T. Balsamo is Professor and Chair of the Department of History at Western Illinois University. Recently he was guest editor of a special issue of Illinois History Teacher entitled "Illinois and the Civil War."