Nathaniel McLean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nathaniel Collins McLean
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Brig. Gen. Nathaniel McLean
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| Born | February 2, 1815 Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Died | January 4, 1905 (aged 89) Bellport, New York |
| Place of burial |
Woodland Cemetery,
Bellport, New York |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 75th Ohio Infantry Regiment 2nd Bde, 1st Div, XI Corps 1st Div, District of Kentucky 1st Bde, 2nd Div, XXIII Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Relations | John McLean (father) |
| Other work | Lawyer, Farmer |
Nathaniel Collins McLean (born February 2, 1815 – died January 4, 1905) was a lawyer and farmer. He also served as a general for the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Nathaniel McLean was born in Warren County, Ohio. His father, John McLean, was a very important person. He was a judge on the Supreme Court of the United States. He was also considered as a possible candidate for president in 1856 and 1860.
Nathaniel was very well educated. He finished Augusta College in Kentucky when he was just sixteen. Later, he went to Harvard College and earned a law degree. In 1838, he married Caroline Thew Burnett. She was the daughter of a judge from Cincinnati. After practicing law for a while, he became ill. Doctors suggested he travel to Europe to get better. Sadly, his wife died shortly after his trip. In 1858, he married again to Mary Louise Thompson from Louisville, Kentucky.
Civil War Service
When the Civil War began, Nathaniel McLean helped create the 75th Ohio Infantry Regiment. He became its leader, known as a colonel, on September 18, 1861. McLean and other officers trained the 75th Ohio in Wyoming, Ohio. They named their training camp "Camp John McLean" after his father. This group of soldiers became part of a larger unit called a brigade. It was led by Brig. Gen. Robert Milroy. They were sent to serve in western Virginia.
Battles in Western Virginia
In January 1862, McLean's troops moved from Cincinnati to Grafton, Virginia. They then marched to Huttonsville, Virginia, to join more Union forces. From there, General Milroy's brigade, with McLean's troops in front, marched toward Staunton, Virginia. Their goal was to keep Confederate General Stonewall Jackson busy. This would stop Jackson from attacking other Union soldiers in the Shenandoah Valley.
McLean's troops faced their first fight in Monterey, Virginia. They successfully pushed back two hours of attacks from a small Confederate force. Jackson soon focused on Milroy's march. On May 8, 1862, at the Battle of McDowell, the Union forces attacked. McLean led several regiments up a hill called Bull Pasture Mountain. He pushed the Confederate soldiers back. Both General Milroy and General Schenck praised McLean's attack as "gallant," meaning brave and impressive. The next day, Milroy's troops moved west. At the Battle of Cross Keys, McLean was put in charge of a larger group of soldiers, a brigade of four Ohio regiments.
Holding the Line at Second Bull Run
In June 1862, President Lincoln combined several Union armies into the Army of Virginia. McLean was given command of the "Ohio Brigade." This brigade was part of the I Corps of this new army.
During the Second Battle of Bull Run, McLean's brigade was placed on the far left side of the Union line. Their job was to slow down a Confederate attack that could have surrounded the Union army. McLean's troops faced heavy fighting and many soldiers were hurt. However, they held their position for about half an hour. This brave stand allowed the rest of the Union army to set up a new defense line and safely retreat.
Because of his important actions at Second Bull Run, Nathaniel McLean was promoted to brigadier general on September 29, 1862.
Challenges at Chancellorsville
After Second Bull Run, McLean's regiments helped defend Washington D.C. His corps, the XI Corps, later joined the Army of the Potomac. In May 1863, during the Battle of Chancellorsville, McLean was leading a brigade on the right side of the Union battle line. This was the exact spot where Confederate General Stonewall Jackson launched a surprise attack.
When the Confederates attacked, McLean was at headquarters. He asked for orders to turn his troops to face the enemy, but his commander refused. Despite this, McLean's Ohio Brigade quickly tried to defend themselves. They even attempted a counterattack before being forced to retreat. McLean then took command of his division again.
Service in the West
After Chancellorsville, McLean was sent to Cincinnati. He worked as a provost marshal general, which meant he handled prisoners of war and citizens who wanted to swear loyalty to the United States. He did not lead troops in battle for a year. Later, he was put in charge of a division in the District of Kentucky.
McLean also commanded a brigade during the Atlanta Campaign. This was a major series of battles in Georgia. At the Battle of Pickett's Mill in May 1864, McLean's brigade was supposed to distract the Confederates. However, they became separated from other Union troops. This caused problems for the Union forces, who suffered many casualties.
McLean was later transferred to North Carolina. He served there during General Sherman's Carolina Campaign. His corps helped capture Fort Fisher. The war was nearing its end, and McLean resigned from the army on April 20, 1865. This was just six days before a major Confederate surrender. During the entire war, General McLean was only off duty for a total of thirty days.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Nathaniel McLean went back to Cincinnati and continued his work as a lawyer. A few years later, he moved to Minnesota. There, he became a farmer and even helped build a church. In 1885, he moved again, this time to Bellport, New York. Within a year, he helped start another Episcopal church there. He passed away in Bellport in 1905.
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