# John A. McClernand — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant character guide > John A. McClernand in Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** McClernand, General McClernand, Major-General John A. McClernand, General J. A. McClernand **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot A congressman turned major-general whose political rank outran his military skill, he bristled at serving under Grant and answered orders like a man reprimanding a subordinate. ## Who they are McClernand arrives in the western theater trailing political prominence and personal ambition, the senior major-general in Grant's department and therefore impossible to simply sideline. His insubordinate correspondence—more reprimand than protest—forces Grant to take the field himself rather than hand the command to Sherman, revealing how rank and ego can shape a campaign before a shot is fired. He matters because his presence turns every order into a test of authority during the Vicksburg approach. ## In the story ### [Appointed Colonel of the 21st Illinois—Personnel of the Regiment—General Logan—March to Missouri—Movement Against Harris at Florida, Mo.—General Pope in Command—Stationed at Mexico, Mo.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xviii) Democratic Congressman from Illinois; introduced to Grant alongside Logan; had taken strong early stands for the Union. ### [General Fremont in Command—Movement Against Belmont—Battle of Belmont—A Narrow Escape—After the Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xx) Implied as one of the higher officers who delivered eulogies upon the Union cause after capturing the camp. ### [General Halleck in Command—Commanding the District of Cairo—Movement on Fort Henry—Capture of Fort Henry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxi) Leads a force of 6,000 men into west Kentucky and commands the advance troops in the expedition. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxiv) Commanded a division next to Sherman; reported benefiting from Sherman's support. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxv) Division commander; some of his parties carried out burial instructions. ### [Halleck Assumes Command in the Field—The Advance Upon Corinth—Occupation of Corinth—The Army Separated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxvi) Assigned command of the reserve, composed of his own and Lew Wallace's divisions. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxvii) Not directly mentioned in excerpts; omitted as no clear presence. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxviii) Not directly mentioned in this chapter; omitted. ### [Van Dorn's Movements — Battle of Corinth — Command of the Department of the Tennessee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxix) Authorized from Washington to organize troops for opening the Mississippi. ### [The Campaign Against Vicksburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxx) Mentioned as a potential separate commander for an expedition against Vicksburg, which Grant views with concern. ### [Headquarters Moved to Holly Springs—General McClernand in Command—Assuming Command at Young’s Point—Operations Above Vicksburg—Fortifications About Vicksburg—The Canal—Lake Providence—Operations at Yazoo Pass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxi) Reluctantly approves the Arkansas Post attack; later reprimands Grant in insubordinate correspondence. ### [The Vicksburg Campaign: Running the Batteries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxii) Major-General commanding the Thirteenth Army Corps (right wing); leads the advance through Louisiana. ### [Attack on Grand Gulf — Operations Below Vicksburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxiii) Commands the 13th Corps; leads the advance and divides his force at Port Gibson. ### [Capture of Port Gibson — Grierson's Raid — Occupation of Grand Gulf — Movement Up the Big Black — Battle of Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxiv) Commands a corps; Grant considers detaching his corps to cooperate with Banks. ### [Movement Against Jackson—Fall of Jackson—Intercepting the Enemy—Battle of Champion's Hill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxv) Commands a corps; ordered to move on Edward's station and later to Bolton; his divisions are positioned to support the advance. ### [Battle of Black River Bridge—Crossing the Big Black—Investment of Vicksburg—Assaulting the Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxvi) Commands the 13th Corps; his division leads the pursuit and reports gaining enemy intrenchments during the May 22 assault. ### [Siege of Vicksburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxvii) Commands the left wing of the siege line; later relieved by Grant for publishing an unauthorized order. ### [Retrospect of the Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxix) Noted as one of the generals who ended the campaign fitted to command independent armies. ### [First Meeting with Secretary Stanton—General Rosecrans—Commanding Military Division of Mississippi—Andrew Johnson’s Address—Arrival at Chattanooga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xl) Not mentioned in excerpts. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlii) Mentioned indirectly as part of the command structure; not directly active in this chapter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/john_a_mcclernand - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters