Description
Carte view of of Major General John Logan. Upon the outbreak of hostilities in 1861, Logan volunteered his services as a soldier and served with a Michigan regiment at the Battle of First Bull Run on 21 July 1861. After the battle, he returned home to Illinois to recruit a regiment, the 31st Illinois, and was named the regiment’s colonel. Nicknamed “Black Jack” for his black hair and dark eyes and complexion, Logan led his regiment into combat for the first time at Belmont in November 1861. He proved to be a natural military leader and later fought with distinction at Fort Donelson, Corinth, and Vicksburg, and rose to the rank of major general of volunteers. During the Atlanta campaign, he commanded XV Corps, was wounded, and then temporarily commanded the Army of the Tennessee. He was replaced as corps commander by Major General O.O. Howard, a decision made by Major General William T. Sherman because of Sherman’s mistrust of “political” generals, not because of Logan’s fighting abilities. The decision led Logan to despise professional soldiers, especially West Pointers, for the rest of his life. Logan, however, dutifully served under Sherman for the rest of the war until the surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston in April 1865 in North Carolina. Many historians consider Logan the best of the Union Army’s political generals. Very nice view with a rare back mark by Barr & Young who would work as Army photographers located at Fort Pickering in Memphis, Tennessee.
The future general would begin the war serving a colonel for the 31st Illinois Volunteer Infantry. A regiment which he primarily helped raise. Fighting in the Western Theater he would see action at the Battle of Belmont on November 7, 1861 where he would have his horse shot out from under him.
