Scottish Iron: USA Maj. Gen. John McArthur

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. John McArthur (b. 1826, d. 1906) Professionally, John McArthur dealt with iron. As a leader of men, he operated with an iron will. McArthur earned brevet promotions all the way up to major general by the end of the Civil War. McArthur was born in Erskine parish in Renfrewshire, Scotland, near the banks of the River Clyde. As a young man, he learned the blacksmith trade. At the age of 23, he emigrated to the United States and ended up in Chicago as operator of the Excelsior Iron Works. He also became interested in the military, serving in the Chicago Highland Guards militia unit. In 1861, he was named captain of that unit. With the call for volunteers, McArthur was appointed colonel of the 12th Illinois Infantry May 3, 1861. This was a 90-day unit which extended its service time to three years. Originally sent to Cairo, Illinois, the 12th Illinois became part of Brig. Gen. Charles F. Smith’s 2nd Division, District of Cairo. By the end of 1861, McArthur was leading the 1st Brigade. That unit participated in the capture of Fort Heiman, Kentucky, located near Fort Henry, Tennessee. In the siege of Fort Donelson, McArthur impressed enough to earn a promotion to brigadier general in March of 1862. Commanding a brigade in the division of Brig. Gen. W.H.L. Wallace, McArthur was wounded in the foot on the first day of the Battle of Shiloh (April 6, 1862). When Wallace died, McArthur came back to command the 2nd Division. He led the division through much of 1862, including the Battle of Iuka, Mississippi, and the siege of Corinth. That November, he received command of another division, which became the 6th Division, XVII Army Corps. During the Vicksburg Campaign, McArthur’s division generally was under the command of Maj. Gen. James McPherson, but frequently was moved around as it was considered one of the army’s most mobile units. After the capture of Vicksburg in July of 1863, McArthur was named military commander of Vicksburg. He received one of the Army of the Tennessee’s gold medals for his actions. Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant tried in vain to get McArthur promoted. In July of 1864, McArthur was called to the Atlanta area by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman. McArthur’s new command was responsible for protecting the lines of communication and supply near Atlanta. After the fall of Atlanta, McArthur was sent to the 1st Division, XVI Corps, which he took to Missouri to oppose Maj. Gen. Sterling Price’s 1864 raid. In December of 1864, McArthur’s division was sent to Nashville. There, Dec. 16, McArthur rolled up Lt. Gen. John B. Hood’s left flank, leading to the destruction of what was left of the once proud Confederate Army of Tennessee. For that, McArthur received a brevet promotion to major general by the end of the year. In 1865, McArthur’s command was sent to Alabama under Maj. Gen. E.R.S. Canby. Fighting near Mobile, Alabama, McArthur also designed usable mortars made from gum trees. He commanded the garrison at Selma, Alabama, until being mustered out August of 1865. After the war, he returned home, but his ironworks failed. While Chicago postmaster, a bank failure cost his office over $70,000. The Great Chicago Fire happened while he was director of Chicago’s public work. McArthur overcame all of that to stay active in veterans and Scottish organizations until his death in Chicago, May 15, 1906. He was buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.

[Gil R.]

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