Background
Mcclernand, Edward John was born on December 29, 1848 in Jacksonville, Illinois, United States. Son of Major General John Alexander (commander 13th Army Corps in Civil War) and Sarah (Dunlap) M.
Mcclernand, Edward John was born on December 29, 1848 in Jacksonville, Illinois, United States. Son of Major General John Alexander (commander 13th Army Corps in Civil War) and Sarah (Dunlap) M.
Educated Jacksonville and Springfield, Illinois, 1856-1866. Graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1870.
An 1870 graduate of West Point, his career spanned 42 years, as he served in the Army until his retirement on December 29, 1912. He spent his early school years in Jacksonville and Springfield before graduating from West Point in 1870. His first assignment was to Fort
Ellis, Montana with the 2nd United States. Cavalry in 1870, beginning nearly 30 years in various cavalry assignments primarily in the American West.
He returned to the east coast in 1879 as a Tactical Officer at West Point, returning to the frontier with assignments in Montana, California, and Washington starting in 1883. McClernand fought in the Spanish–American War, serving in the Santiago campaign.
He later saw service in the Philippine Insurrection, commanding the 1st Cavalry Regiment. He was promoted to Brigadier General shortly before he retired from active service on December 29, 1912.
He was recalled to active duty the next day, serving as President of the Cavalry Board until 1914.
He lived in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he wrote "With the Indians and the Buffalo in Montana," for the Cavalry Journal in 1925. He died on February 9, 1926 and was buried in Section 3, Lot 1931-Southwest of Arlington National Cemetery.
Married Sarah Pomp, November 14, 1888.