Little Egypt Heritage Articles Stories of Southern Illinois Bill Oliver 13 October 2002 Vol 1 Issue: #7 ISSN: pending Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen of Little Egypt, Born in Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois on 9 February 1826, John Alexander Logan'a fame did not end with his death in Washington, D.C. on 26 December 1886. Yet today, over a century later the deed which projected him into the future has diminished. Those who still observe Memorial Day or Decoration Day have forgotten how or why it came about. John Logan, a son of a Jackson county doctor, wrote and issued General Order Number 11 on 5 May 1868, as Commander-in-Chief, for the purpose of "strewing flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, ..." But, that is story for another time. John Alexander Logan was nicknamed "Black Jack". We all know that Jack is nickname for John. He did have black, or very dark, eyes and hair, and also was dark in complexion. These physical traits no doubt contributed to his naming. Though he had military experience in the Mexican War, both as an enlisted man and an officer, John A Logan was a legislator when the War Between the States began and prior to the election of Lincoln he was a Douglas supporter, he boldly declared that, in the event Abraham Lincoln was elected, he would "shoulder his musket to have him inaugurated". Then when during the extra session of Congress called by President Lincoln in 1861, instead of staying in his Congessional Seat, John Logan left Washington, caught up with the Union Army. At the outbreak of the Battle of Bull Run, he began as an observer, but soon had procured weapons and faught with the ranks of Colonel Richardson's regiment. Promptly returning home in August, he resigned his position in Congress and worked diligently to organize the 31st Illinois Infantry. Being elected Colonel of the Regiment, he led a bayonet charge at Belmont and had a horse shot out from underneath him. At the Battle at Fort Donelson while leading the assault he was wounded. After recovering, he was assigned to General Grant's Command and received the rank of brigadier-general of volunteers. The General was always down on the line, racing back and forth, encouraging his men. Such daring acts not only made him popular with his men, it earned him promotions. He rose to major-general and commanded the 3rd division of the 17th army corps. As such, he commanded General McPherson's middle at the battle of Vicksburg. Because of As such he was the first to enter the captured city and was appointed the military governor. From there he succeded General Sherman in commandof the 15th army corps. Then joined Sherman's army as Commander of Army of the Tennessee. Gallantly leading his men under Sherman's march to the sea. After Savannah and the death of General Joseph E Johnson, General Logan refused to draw pay while in the state of inactivity. He returned home and though he was appointed minister to Mexico he declined the appointment to run for Congress. During his term in Congress, he served as one of the managers of the impeachment trial of President Johnson. He also served as chairman of the committee on military affairs. In 1871, after being elected to the 42nd Congress, he was appointed US Senator by the Illinois Legislature to begin service on 3 Marcy 1871. Following his term of office as Senator, "Black Jack" Logan went to Chicago where he resumed the practice of law. Where again on th 18th of March 1879 he returned to the US Senate. When in 1884, Jamees G Blaine was nominated for President, General Logan was nominated for Vice Presidency. Then in 1886, when General Logan suddenly died, James Blaine said of him, "General Logan was a man of immense force in a legislative body. His will was unbending, his courage, both moral and physical, was of the highest order. I never knew a more fearless man. He did not quail before public opinion when he had once made up his mind any more than he did before the guns of the enemy when he headed a charge of his enthusiastic troops. In debatge he was aggressive and ... effective ...I have had occasion to say before, and I now repeat, that, while there have been more illustrious military leaders in the United States and more illustrious leaders in legislative 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." Wado, Bill -- Notes: 1. . Link to Archived Articles http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/state/ Little Egypt Heritage articles will be posted on Sunday evening on the SOIL-L@rootsweb.com ILJackso-L@rootsweb.com ILJohnso-L@rootsweb.com ILMassac-L@rootsweb.com