To beat the continuing triple-digit temperatures, we took Clare’s brother and his twin daughters to a local history museum, the
General John A. Logan Museum in the neighboring town (and county seat) of Murphysboro.
Who was John Alexander Logan? “Many historians consider him the premier volunteer general of the Civil War.” » See
“John A. Logan, Citizen Soldier” by Susan Claffey.
After serving in the Mexican-American War, John A. Logan was elected county clerk for Jackson County, Illinois. He resigned to earn a law degree at the University of Louisville, after which he was elected prosecuting attorney of the Third Judicial District. In 1852 Logan was elected as a Democrat to the Illinois House of Representatives. In 1858, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. When the Civil War began, Logan was beginning his second term as a congressman. Torn between a dominant belief among his constituents and loyalty to the “Union,” he eventually declared himself for the Union.
While a congressman, Logan took part in the
Battle of Bull Run. Returning home, in August 1861 he spoke at the Marion, Illinois, town square. This speech and Logan’s decision to fight for the North are credited with bringing southern Illinois to the Union cause.
Logan volunteered for the Union, and U.S. President Abraham Lincoln authorized Logan to command a regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Infantry. During the war, Logan fought in eight major campaigns, survived several wounds and received a battlefield promotion to brigadier general from General Ulysses S. Grant.
After recovering from his wounds, Logan quickly returned to the front. After valiant fighting at the
Battle of Vicksburg, Logan was promoted to major general.
Logan showed his skill again during the
Battle of Dallas, GA. When Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson was killed during the fighting, Logan quickly assumed command of the Army of the Tennessee. Riding among the men to reform his lines, Logan grabbed the flag, raised it high and shouted “McPherson and revenge boys!” The blue lines firmed. Chanting “Black Jack! Black Jack!” the Army of the Tennessee advanced against a hail of Confederate fire and retook all lost ground. » See
General Logan at the Battle of Dallas, May 1864.
By the end of the war Logan’s troops were stationed outside the city of Raleigh, North Carolina. When word of President Lincoln’s assassination arrived, Union troops camped in Raleigh were prepared to rampage through the city in retaliation. Backed up with gun emplacements pointed at his own troops, Logan rode into their midst and, in front of their cannons, proclaimed that they will have to fire through him. The crowd dispersed, and after the war Raleigh honored Logan for saving the city; he was subsequently named to the city’s Centennial Hall of Fame.
In a
famous Mathew Brady photograph in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery collection, General Logan is shown seated next to General William Tecumseh Sherman.
»
Larger image
After the war, Logan returned to U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican. There he was one of the leaders in the effort to impeach President Andrew Johnson. Logan also helped found the Grand Army of the Republic. As its commander in 1868, he issued
General Order No. 11, which established the first Memorial Day. He was elected to the Senate twice and, in 1884, was James G. Blaine’s vice-presidential running mate on the Republican ticket. They lost, but Logan’s popularity with veterans contributed to the narrowness of the defeat.
A likely presidential candidate in 1888, Logan died suddenly on December 26, 1886, in Washington, D.C. from wounds suffered at the
Battle of Fort Donelson. His body
lay in state under the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol for one day. At the time of his death, Logan was only the 7th person to be laid in state there, and he is one of only 29 people (including eleven U.S. presidents) to receive that honor to date (in 2012).
»
June 2023 update. that number now stands at 44. »
See the list.
His funeral was held in the Senate chambers. Logan is buried in the
United States Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., where the Logan Mausoleum is the most prominent burial monument at the cemetery.
A year ago:
“Geek Toys III” 
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![The Tinkerer [SOOC]](https://media.365project.org/1/9428628_ceghprwx59_sq.jpg "The Tinkerer [SOOC]")
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@michelleyoung @sparkleplenty1 It is a grand old building, for a country so young and in a part of a young country that, in many respects, is even younger. Love the wrap-around porch: so dignified. I don't think the windows are actually blue-tinted, Joyce. Light playing tricks with us, I'm afraid.
@digitalrn He is quite the story. Quite well known once upon a time, but his fame and accomplishments faded over time for some reason.
@cjwhite Thanks, Carolyn!