John A. McClernand

Biography

John Alexander McClernand was a prominent Union general during the American Civil War, serving with distinction in the Western Theater. Born in Kentucky and raised in Illinois, McClernand combined a career in law and politics before the war, serving in Congress as a Democratic representative. During the conflict, he commanded the XIII Corps and played a significant role in the Vicksburg Campaign, though his aggressive independent streak sometimes created friction with superior officers, particularly General Ulysses S. Grant.