General John A. Logan
John A. Logan was born on 9 February 1826 near the area, which is now known as Murphysboro, Jackson County, IL. Logan was an American soldier and political leader.
John Logan’s father was a physician who was also named John. John grew up with a love of politics and began Shiloh College in Shiloh Hill, Illinois, in 1840.
The Mexican War enticed John to volunteer in 1846, and although he missed the opportunity to earn combat time, he did learn Spanish as he served as the post Quartermaster.
The 1850s brought many changes in Logan’s life — he attended law school at Louisville University; married Mary S. Cunningham; and began a political career that led from county clerk to US Congressman.
At the onset of the Civil War, Logan fought at Bull Run as a civilian. Logan later volunteered for the war and rose from colonel to major general. Fighting in eight major campaigns, he distinguished himself at Vicksburg and commanded the entire Union forces at the Battle of Atlanta. At the war’s end, he saved Raleigh, NC from being burned by angry Union troops. Many historians consider him the premier volunteer general of the Civil War.
After the war, Logan returned to Congress. His concern for veterans led him to take part in Illinois’ first veterans’ memorial services at Woodlawn Cemetery in Carbondale in 1866. In 1868, he became the founder of Memorial Day as a national holiday.
In 1871 and again in 1874, Logan was elected to the US Senate. Throughout his political career, he was a strong advocate for public education. In 1884, he was James G. Blaines’ Vice-Presidential running mate. During the campaign, Logan commissioned the painting that became the center for Atlanta’s famed Cyclorama.
John A. Logan died 26 December 1886 in Washington, DC. He is buried at Soldiers Home Cemetery, Washington, DC.
Logan’s fame continued long after his death, as evidenced by the many towns and counties named for him. Fine equestrian statues were erected in Chicago and Washington in his honor. Bronze plaques from Arlington Cemetery to Denver attest to his creation of Memorial Day.
Much like the observance he created, his fame faded through the years. In May 1986, the Washington Post wrote that this was “pretty shoddy treatment” for the man who founded Memorial Day.
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