Hands-On: USA Maj. Gen. Michael K. Lawler

[Battleline]

Lawler's leadership style was unique, but oddly accepted for his time. Had he been in World War II, he likely would have been thrown out of the service (if Patton can be used as an example). If he tried a similar tactic today, Lawler would have been jailed and might have been put in front of a firing squad!

Maj. Gen. Michael K. Lawler (b. 1814, d. 1882) Michael Kelly Lawler was a hands-on officer, literally. Early in the Civil War, Lawler personally enforced discipline within the 18th Illinois by hitting those who refused to obey orders and feeding drunks in the guardhouse emetics, which forced vomiting. Lawler’s approach actually led to him being brought up on charges after he was wounded at Fort Donelson. He was acquitted by department commander Maj. Gen. Henry Hallack. Lawler was born in County Kildare, Ireland, Nov. 16, 1814. Before he turned two, Lawler’s family emigrated to the United States, first residing in New York City and then Frederick County, Maryland. Eventually, the settled in Gallatin County, Illinois, at the southeastern area of the state. Lawler married into a land-rich family and became a farmer with considerable acreage. He became active in militia and during the Mexican War, he was a captain in the 3rd Illinois. He fought in the campaign from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. After the war, he resumed farming and ran a general store in Shawneetown. In 1861, Lawler and the 18th Illinois were mustered into Federal service by U.S. Grant. When the 18th Illinois went into action against the forts in northern Tennessee, it was part of Col. Richard Oglesby’s First Brigade of Brig. Gen. John McClernard’s First Division. Lawler’s regiment was hit in the Confederate counterattack out of Fort Donelson Feb. 15, 1862, and Lawler was wounded. After his recovery, Lawler led troops in Kentucky and Tennessee under Brig. Gen. John A. Logan in defense against partisan activity. In the fall of the year, Lawler’s brigade was part of the advance on Corinth, Mississippi, and the battle there. He commanded the District of Jackson, Tennessee, in the early months of 1863, and then participated in the Vicksburg Campaign, fighting at Port Gibson, Thompson’s Mill and Big Black River Bridge. Lawler received a promotion to brigadier general of volunteers in May of 1863 (to rank form Nov. 29, 1862). At Vicksburg, his command made a bold assault which resulted in the capture of over 1,100 Confederates. Late in the command, his corps commander, Maj. Gen. John McClernard, called a meeting of officers to pass resolutions of praise for McClernard. Lawler refused to attend, calling the resolutions unprofessional. Lawler then commanded a division in Louisiana and served in Texas. He was back in Louisiana to head a division during the unsuccessful Red River Campaign. In May of 1864, he was McClernard’s chief of staff with the XIII Corps and led that command during McClernard’s period of poor health. He had a brief stint in the Military Division of West Mississippi before receiving a brevet promotion to major general (March 13, 1865). He was sent to command the District of Baton Rouge in the Department of the Gulf and stayed there until being sent to New Orleans at the end of May, 1865. Lawler was mustered out of service Jan. 15, 1866. After the war, Lawler resumed farming near Equality, Illinois, and died there July 26, 1882. He was buried nearby.

[Gil R.]

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