The Shasta courier., 1865-09-16
Maj. Gen. John A. Logan.



COMPILED FROM ARMY AND NAVY GAZETTE.
This ldistir guished officer was born in
jackson county, Illinois. on the 9th of Feb
ruary, 1926. His father emgrated from
Ireland and settled in Illinois in 1923. His
mother, Elizabeth jenkins, was "a native Of
Tennessee. During Logan's boyhood, schools
were scarcely known in Illinois, and with
he exception of an attendance in 1910, on a
county academy. dignfed y the name of
Shloah College, his education was obtained
from such initerant school masters as hap
pened to visit his locality. Upon the outbreak
Of the war with Mexico, young Logan, though
but twenty years of age. Immediately volun-
teered, and was elected lst Lieutenant in a
company of the lst regiment of Illinois Vol
unteers. In 1913 he returned to Illinois
and commenced the study of law. in which
he made rapid progress. In lS49 he was
elected clerk of his native county. In 1872
he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the
then Third Judicial District. He now estab
lished his residence at Benton, Franklin
county, and in the Autumn of the same
year, was elected to the State Legislature to
represent Franklin and jackson counties
On November Odd. 1855. lie married. at
Shawneetown. Miss Mary S. Cunningham
In May 1856. he was appointed Presiden
tiai Electo for the Ninth Congressional
District, and the following November was
re elected to the Legislature. In 1853 he
carried the Ninth Congressional District by
large majority over his Republican com
petitor. And again in 1860 was on the
Democratic ticket, as formerly reelected to
Congress. In the Presidential paign of
1860, he was Il strong supporter of Douglas !;
= But. - said be, in speech at GreenviIe, in
Bond county, . if Mr.. Lincoln is elected
will shoulder my musket to have him inau-
gurated.'
The preparation for war which sounded
over the North in the Spring and Autumn
OF 1861, fired the martial spirit of Logan,
and when the troops commenced to move
from Washington into Virginia, he left his
seat in Congress where he had been using
all his efforts for the support of the Govern
ment, and procuring a musket. followed and
overlook Col. Richardson's regiment in the
ranks Of which he fought with distinguished
bravery at the battle of Bull Run, and was
among the last to leave that disastrous field
In the latter part August he returned to
his home, ana in Il speech to his fellow citi
gems in Marion, derll ed his intention to
enter the service Of the Government as a
private, II in any manner he could serve his
country best. in defending and bearing the
old blood stained lanner over every foot of
suil in the United States.
Lagan's eloquence soon rallied the gal
LIANT Illnoisi;lns to his standard-and in two
weeks the 31-t Illinois Volunteers was or
ganlzed at Cairo, and John A. Logan unan-
imously elected Colonel. S'even weeks later,
November |. 1861. Colonel Logan led his
command in It's first fight. the battle of Bel
mont Everywhere where the fight was
thickest. Logan rode at the head of bis regi-
ment who. though they had never seen an
armed foe before, fought like veterans. At
Fort Donesor, wnile leading his men to a
desperate assault he received severe wound
from ii mu,ket ball in the left arm ard shoul-
der. But Logan perfectly fearless, his left
side streaming with blood and flesh wounds
in his thigh, called upon his men to hold
their ground and though faint and reeling
on his horse, still chung to his saddle until
the arrival If rentorcements made every
thing safe, when he was reluctantly taken
from his saddle to he treated by the surgeon.
Although his life was in imminent peril his
iron constitution at length triumphed, and
be reported to Gen. Grant in time to par'ici
pate in the battle ot Plttshurg Landing. For
his noble cond uct he was promoted to the
rank of Brigadier General. his commission
bearing date of March 5, 1862 In the Sum
merof 1862 he WAS warmly pressed to become
a candidate for Congress, but l. gan positive
ly declined. In lette to 0. NJ. Hatch.
Secretary of State of Illinois, in reference to
this subject, he SAYS;
:" No. / am tn day soldier of the Re
public and SO will remain. changeless and
lmnfutab.e until her last and weakest enemy
has expired and passed away. Ambitious
men who have not true love of count, y at
their heart may bring forth crude and bodi
less questions to agtate the pulse of our ma
tion. but for none of such am l."
In Grants Winter campaign of lS62-3, in
Mississippi, Logan displayed great ability in
handling his troops. and was promoted to the
rank OF Major General of Volunteers, his
commission dating Nov. 90. 1862 In the
ficksburg campaign, Logan WAS assigned
the command Of the Third Division. and was
attached % the Seventeenth Army Corps then
Commanded by Gen. James B. Mcpherson.
At Fort Gibson the weight and courage of
Logan 5 veterans turned the scale into de.
clded wet ry. lG the movement to the rear
OF Vlcksburg, Logan and his division were
IN advance. Alter short march, be found
FIX thousand rehels strongly entrenched at
aymond. Without moments hesitation.
ne attacked them. but the rebels tenaciouslv
held their ground in spite # the desperate
charges OF Logan's men. In the hight Of
the action, Mcpherson and staff arrived on
the held. BY a sudden dash of the enemy
portion OF Logan's line WAS crushed. and de.
ieat seemed certain. Logan road up TO Ne,
phers n, weeping bitterly. A few words
passed., and with the velocity of the wind.
Logan read in the midst of his scattered men
lie called upon them to rally and follow
BY one of fhose acts of daring, terribly des.
perate, Logan led his men to the Va muz
z'es oi the enemies guns. He drove them
back and IN twenty minutes the field was
won. From Raymond Logan pushed on with
his corps, AMI participated in the brilliant
rout oil the enemy at jackson. Nav 18th. and
two days after was again distinguished at the
battle Of Cf mpion's HILL During the siege
Of Vicksbulg, b. held the center Of MrPb,r
sons line, confronting Fort Hill, the Lty
IN the rnhoI unrks II ,ro.T :,