LOGAN, John Alexander, American sol dier and politician: b. Jackson County, Ill., 9 Feb. 1826; d. Washington, D. C., 26 Dec. 1886. He studied at Shiloh College, volunteered as a private in the Mexican War, became a lieuten ant in the First Illinois Infantry, after the war studied law, was graduated from Louisville University in 1851, was admitted to the bar, and was elected to the Illinois legislature in 1852 and 1856. In 1858 he was elected a repre sentative in Congress as a Douglas Democrat, in 1860 was re-elected, but resigned his seat in 1861, and on 13 September was appointed colonel of the 31st Illinois Infantry. He led this regi ment in the attacks on Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, and was wounded at the latter. On 5 March 1862, he was made a brigadier-general- of volunteers, and after commanding the 3d division of McPherson's corps (the 17th) in the northern Mississippi campaign, became major-general on 26 Nov. 1862. He fought at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson and Champion Hill, commanded the centre at Vicksburg and was appointed military governor of the town upon its capture. In November 1863 he was made commander of the Fifteenth corps, which he led until the fall of Atlanta, save for a short period when in command of the Army of the Tennessee. He then returned to take part in the Lincoln presidential campaign, but rejoined his corps, continued with it till Johnston s sur render, 26 April 1865, and afterward for a time commanded the Army of the Tennessee. In 1866-69 he sat in the 40th and 41st congresses as a Republican. He was one of the managers of the impeachment proceedings against Presi dent Andrew Johnson. He was also re-elected
to the 42d Congress, but before taking his seat was chosen by the Illinois legislature to the Senate, where he served from 1871 to 1877. He began legal practice in Chicago, but on 18 March 1879 again entered the Senate. While in Congress he distinguished himself by his elo quence. He was consistently opposed to the restoration of Fitz-John Porter to the army, and in June 1880 made a four days' speech on the Porter bill. At the Republican National Convention in Chicago in June 1884, he was a candidate for nomination to the Presidency, and after Blaine's nomination was nominated Vice-President by acclamation. Shortly after the defeat of this ticket, Logan was again chosen Republican senator from Illinois. Blaine said of him: "While there have been more illustrious military leaders in the United States and more illustrious leaders in legisla tive halls, there has, I think, been no man in this country who has combined the two careers in so eminent a degree as General Logan.x' Major-General Logan published a volume on the Civil War entitled 'The Great Conspiracy: Its Origin and History' (1886) and 'The Vol unteer Soldier of America' (1888). Consult Andrews, G. F. Byron, 'Biography of General John A. Logan, with an Account of his Public Services in Peace and 'in War> (New York 1884), and Dawson, 'Life and Services of General John A. Logan> (Chicago 1887).