IVIcCLENACHAN,. CHARLES THOMPSON ( 1829-1. An American lawyer. born in 'Washington, D. C. He graduated at German town College, and from 1845 to 1850 was an in structor in the New York Institute for the Blind. In 1850-61 lie was clerk of the board of council men of New York City. during the Civil War was quartermaster of the Seventh New York Regi ment, and in 1867 was admitted to the bar. For many years he was successively connected with the street and public works departments of his native city. His works include: The Lairs of the Fire ( 1855 ) The Atlantic Tekyraph Cable of 1858 (1563) ; and Time Book of the Ancient Accepted Rite of Scottish Freemasonry.
McCLER'NAND, .long ALEXANDER (1812 1900). An American soldier on the Federal side prominent in the Civil War. He was born in Breckenridge County. Ky., was brought up in Southern Illinois. and in 1832 was admitted to the bar. In 1833. after having served as a private in the Black Hawk War. he resumed the practice of his profession. and also engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1835 he became the editor and pub lisher of the Shawneetown 1 Ill.) Democrat. From 1836 until 1842 he represented his district in the State Legislature: and from 1843 to 1851 he was a Democratic member of Congress from Illinois. In 1851 he removed from Shawneetown to Jack sonville, and in 1859 became again a Representa tive in Congress. At the outbreak of the Civil
War. having been appointed brigadier-general on May 17. 1861. he raised. largely through his personal influence, the MeClernand brigade. This he commanded at the battle of Belmont. In February, 1862, lie gallantly led his command in the attack on Fort Donelson; was promoted in the following March to be a major-general of olunicer.; and commanded a di%•ision, April 6th and 7th, at the battle of Shiloh (q.v.). On January 4, 1863, he superseded lien. W. T. Sher man in the command of the expedition against Vicksburg (the latter general retaining the com mand of his own corps, the Fifteenth), but was soon afterwards relieved by General Grant. His disision having been combined with the naval force,: under Admiral Porter (January 11th), he commanded the expedition that finally carried by storm the garrison village of Arkansas Post. He also distinguished himself in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Big Black River, and Baker's Creek. In July, 1863, he was relieved of the command of the Thirteenth Army Corps, and on November 30, 1864. he resigned from the service and retired to private life, resuming the practice of the law at Springfield, Ill.