LOGAN, Joart A., b. Jackson co., Ill., 1826; received a limited common-school education; at the outbreak of the war with 3Iexico enlisted as a private, but became quartermaster of his regiment, with the rank of first lieut.; after the close of the war was elected clerk of the court of his native county; in 1852 graduated at the Louisville university. and afterwards was admitted to the bar; was a member of the state legisla ture in 1852-53 and 1836-57, and prosecuting attorney from 1853 to 1857; was elected to congress in 1858 and again in 1860, resigning his seat in 1861 to enter the army-. He was made colonel of the 31st Illinois volunteers, and led the regiment in the battles of Belmont and fort Donelson; was wounded in the latter engagement, and in Mar., 1862, was appointed brig.gen. of volunteers, and a few months later, maj.gen.; in the Vicksburg campaign was in command of a division of the 17th corps, distinguishing himself at Port Gibson, Champion hills, and in the siege and surrender of Vicksburg.
In 1863 he was put in command of the 15th corps, which he led with valor until the death of McPherson, when he took coinmand for a time of the army of the Tennessee. On being relieved by gen. O. O. Howard he returned to the cornmand of his corps, which he led until the fall of Atlanta, when he obtained leave of absence to engage in the effort to re-elect Abraham Lincoln for president. He afterwards rejoined ills corps, leading it in the march through the Carolitia.s, and until he succeeded gen. Howard in connnand of the army of the Tennessee. Having resigned from the army in Aug., 1865, he was in the following Nov. appointed minister to Mexico, but declined. He was sub sequently electcd to congress for two successive terms, and in 1871 to the senate of the United States, of which he is still (1881) a member. He is an earnest advocate of the principles of his party, and is a strong aud ready speaker.