General John A. McClernand

Another big personality in the civil war, John Alexander McClernand led a multi-faceted life, a lawyer, newspaper publisher, politician, and Union general. Like his friend Lincoln, he was born in Kentucky and raised in Illinois. At the start of he Civil war, McClernand was made Brigadier General of volunteers . He proved to be an exceptional recruiter.  Later he served under General Grant, fighting in the Belmont, Shiloh and Vicksburg campaigns. Eventually, Grant found his military inexperience, constant need for recognition and self promotion to be a detriment. McClernand, taking advantage of his political connections in Washington, tried to outmaneuver Grant and assume independent control. Naturally, General Grant took exception to these actions and McClernand was soon relieved of his command. To some, it is a classic case of career Army officers rejecting a politician in uniform.