John Harrison Wilson, The life of Charles Henry Dana

[227] time to time was a matter of special interest to the country and to the administration, and hence Dana's judgment as to the merits and character of that officer is important. He had watched McClernand narrowly, and early came to the conclusion that he had not the qualities necessary for high military command. In short, Dana regarded him merely as a smart man with a quick and active mind but without solid judgment, who had won Mr. Lincoln's support because he was an influential Illinois Democrat with a considerable following among the people of that State. For this reason it was doubtless the President's wish that he should play an important part to the end of the Vicksburg campaign, but his relief shortly after the siege began was made necessary by the issuance of an ill-advised order congratulating the Thirteenth corps in terms which both Sherman and McPherson considered not only unjust to their corps but a breach of army discipline which should not be overlooked. In this connection it must be conceded that Dana's frequent references to McClernand's shortcomings in his correspondence with Stanton had paved the way for the acquiescence of the government in Grant's final action in the case.

I have dwelt upon this episode first because it well illustrates Dana's independence in the performance of a public duty no matter how important the persons concerned might be, and next because McClernand, without reference to his real merits or to his political influence, was the only officer of high rank in that entire army who was not on good terms with Grant, and therefore not acting in cheerful subordination to his commands. It should be added that, notwithstanding his excitable temper and his high ambition, McClernand was not altogether responsible for the trying position in which he found himself during this campaign. Had it not been for the President's personal friendship and official assurances, there is but little reason to doubt that McClernand