The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

General Nathaniel McLean-- Part 2: Not One of Gen. Howard's Favorites

He was the brother of Eveline  Aurilla McLean Taylor, wife of  Joseph Taylor, brother of President Zachary Taylor (not that all this genealogy gets confusing or anything).

With the Army of the Potomac, he commanded  the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division of XI Corps during the Battle of Chancellorsville where he fell into disfavor with Corps commander General Oliver  O. Howard, because of his inability to  organize his troops after Stonewall Jackson's flank attack during the battle and was relieved of his command.

Transferred to the Ohio Valley, he became Provost Marshall of the Department of Ohio.

The following year, he was put in command of a brigade of the 1st Division of the XIII Corps during the Atlanta Campaign.  After the Battle of New Hope Church he again faced the displeasure of General Howard again and was relieved of command a second time.

He was transferred to General Sherman's command to lead the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division of the XXIII Corps for the Carolinas Campaign.

He resigned on April 20, 1865, and returned to Cincinnati and his law business and later moved to Minnesota and became a farmer.

--Old Secesh


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