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Post by runaheap on Sept 23, 2008 10:02:37 GMT -6
I recently finished this book, and of course being from Southern Illinois found much of interest. General John Alexander Logan is the only non West Point Officer (in either Army) to command an entire Army. This occurred during the Atlanta campaigne when General McPherson was killed. His subsequent relief and the elevation of General Oliver O Howard to Command the Army of the Tennessee would create a rift between Sherman and Logan that would resurface in 1870 when Then Senator Logan Chaired the Military Affairs Committee. Logan was responsible for the Reduction in Force and Pay Decrease (Infantry Regiments would be cut in half to 24 and a 14% reduction in pay across the board). Sherman's pay as General of the Army would be reduced to $13,500 from $19,000 annually. Logan had gotten even for the slight he felt he had been given from Sherman in July of 1864. I believe Logan to be one of the ablest Combat Commanders of a Regiment, Brigade, Division, Corp or Army of any Citizen Soldier of either Army. Of all the Politically appointed Officers during this War, He outshines all of them. During the 1880's he was reported to have commissioned a huge painting depicting the "Battle of Atlanta". Logan would ride his War record toward the White House, but he was allocated the Vice Presidential slot with James Blaine as the Presidential Candidate. McKinley won! Logan's proudest accomplishment was the creation of Memorial Day with his association with the GAR, and with the Senate, he created the legislation.
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