Source
Source for: Thomas McClurken, 25 DEC 1827 - 16 NOV 1861
Index
Birth source: S32Page: 419
_MIL S127_MIL S171 Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army for the Years 1861 - 65 Part 6, pages 261 & 538
_MIL S224Page: page 146
Text: The 30th regiment was mustered into the service at Camp Butler, August 28, 1861, with an aggregate strength of 992 men. The following is the original roster:
Major Thomas McClurken.
_MIL S106Page: page 124 of Part 3
Text: McClurken, Thomas, maj 30 Ill inf.
_MIL S32Page: pages 419 - 421
Text: MAJOR THOMAS McCLURKEN, ILL. VOL.
MORTALLY WOUNDED AT BELMONT, MO.., NOVEMBER 7, 1861.
MAJOR THOMAS MCCLURKEN was of Scottish ancestry, and a descendant of the McClurkens of South Carolina, who were prominent patriots in the Revolutionary War. His father, James McClurken, emigrated, in the year 1818, to the promised Canaan, Illinois, settled in the southern part of the State, became a prominent citizen, was a member of the Illinois Legislature, and filled other positions of high public trust. His son Thomas was born at Sparta, in Randolph county, on the 25th day of December, 1827. During his early life but few opportunities were offered to explore the caves of knowledge. The village school was the only spring at which to quench the thirst for intellectual culture. His education, therefore, was not the polished marble of collegiate study, but rather the rough hewn stone, quarried by his own individual effort. Parental love, anxiety, and care, had early sown the seed of good example, to which his early youth paid silent homage.
Accustomed, when quite young, to depend upon himself, he became ripe in the knowledge of men and events, and when but a youth, had spanned a. history of experience that might have been credited to sterner years.
He associated himself with his brother, who was then a prominent merchant in St. Louis. It was here he formed the acquaintance with the daughter of the Hon. Sidney Breese, of Illinois, a lady of estimable worth, and was married to her, in the year 1851. His mind having been cast in a mechanical mould, the habits of mercantile life were ill suited to his tastes, and surrendering his connections in St Louis, he returned to his native Sparta, to assume control of a large woollen manufactory. From this period (1851) to the time when he enlisted in the holiest of holy causes,-the preservation of the American Union,-he was actively engaged in developing the manufacturing facilities of Southern Illinois, and closely identified with every interest of public utility. In his deportment he was kind, genial, and urbane; and in the robe of his character were woven some of those rare qualities which attract, elevate, and adorn. His political persuasions, prior to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, were of the Democratic faith. But, from the period of 1854, he had been an active, earnest, and consistent advocate of the Republican party. When rebellion broke the bonds of thirty years' confinement; when Southern chivalry, drunk with its success at Sumter, rioted in armed legions on the banks of the Potomac, menacing the capital, Major McClurken, sacrificing the comforts and endearments of home, the profits of a growing, lucrative business, gave the weight of his influence to the cause, was soon at the head of a company of worthy men, marched to Camp Butler, Illinois, was attached to the then forming regiment of Colonel Philip B. Fouke, and was commissioned as its major, by the governor of the State. By his energy of character, and earnest solicitude for the comfort of his men, he won the esteem of his whole command. This esteem ripened into admiration by his cool, daring courage, on the fatal field of Belmont, where he fell, while gallantly cheering his men on to the charge. A ball penetrated his right temple, carrying away a part of the skull. In this dying state he fell into the hands of the enemy, but was the next day recovered by means of a flag of truce, and brought to Cairo, where he expired in the arms of his family, on the 16th of November.
Belmont, like Springfield, and Ball's Bluff, has passed into history; and whatever bearing they may have on the present struggle, a gratified people will long remember their respective heroes. The impartial historic pen, that will record the deeds of the noble Lyon, the gallant Greble, and the daring Baker, will do equal justice to the memory of the subject of our sketch, Major Thomas McClurken.
_MIL S247Page: Series 1, Volume 3, pages 280, 281, 282, 286, 354, 355 & 364. Series
2, Volume 3, pages 313 & 314
Text: From Series 1, Volume 3:
Pages 280 & 281:
On passing into the woods, the Thirtieth, the Seventh, and Twenty-second encountered a heavy fire on their right and left successively, which was returned with such vigor and effect as to drive back the superior force of the enemy and silence his firing, but not until the Sevent hand Twenty-second had been thrown into temporary disorder. Here Lieutenant-Colonel Wentz, of the Seventh, a gallant and faithful officer, and Captain Marckley, of the Thirtieth, with several privates, were killed, and Colonel Dougherty, of the Twenty-second, and Major McClurken, of the Thirtieth, who was near me, seriously wounded. Here my body servant killed one of the enemy by a pistol-shot.
Page 282:
Our victory, though signal and extraordinary, cost many valuable lives.
Major Thomas McClurken, an accomplished and efficient officer, whose services were conspicuous on the field, was severely, and I fear mortally, wounded.
Page 286:
When we arrived at the corn field after the first attack in the woods we were again assailed. It was there that 12 or 15 of the Seventh Iowa Regiment fell. They had been separated from their command early in the action, and had been fighting by my side in my regiment during the day, and I must add that they obeyed all my commands cheerfully, and fought gallantly during the whole of the engagement. Major McClurken here fell like a true soldier, in front of the ranks. After passing through the corn field we received one volley on the left of my regiment from the retiring enemy, which wounded 2 of my men. That was the last of the engagement until we got to the boats. My regiment came to the boats in order, bringing off quite a number of the wounded.
Page 354 & 355:
General Polk then ordered us to return to the bank of the river, as no further good could be accomplished by our muskets when opposed to their floating batteries. Our loss in this affair was, as per detailed statement herewith transmitted, 12 killed and 42 wounded; amongst them was the gallant Butler, who fell while bravely discharging his duty. Lieutenant Alexander, of the Cannon Guards, Company D, fell during the hottest of the fire, while gallantly cheering on his men to action. As to the enemy's loss I cannot state with any accuracy, but we counted in the immediate range of our fire over a hundred dead bodies, besides a larger number wounded and prisoners; amongst the latter was Major McClurken, Thirtieth Illinois Regiment, who was shot from his horse while cheering on his men to attack our lines.
Page 364:
After the troops were landed we began taking on the dead and wounded and some prisoners, among the latter of whom were Major McClurken, of the Illinois troops, and Adjutant Boler; also a Yankee flag was brought in displayed on our jack-staff, to the great delight of our people.
From Series 2, Volume 3:
Pages 313 & 314:
This application was based on the fact that I had on a former occasion granted a similar request made of me in behalf of the wives of Colonels Dougherty and McClurken, captured at Belmont, and the assurance of the commanding general at Cairo that he would reciprocate the courtesy if events should make it desirable.
The War of the Rebellion - Volume 3, http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/search/searchAction_OR.cfm?keyWords=McClurken, Series 1, Volume 3, pages 280, 281, 282, 286, 354, 355 & 364. Series 2, Volume 3, pages 313 & 314. From Series 1, Volume 3: Pages 280 & 281: On passing into the woods, the Thirtieth, the Seventh, and Twenty-second encountered a heavy fire on their right and left successively, which was returned with such vigor and effect as to drive back the superior force of the enemy and silence his firing, but not until the Sevent hand Twenty-second had been thrown into temporary disorder. Here Lieutenant-Colonel Wentz, of the Seventh, a gallant and faithful officer, and Captain Marckley, of the Thirtieth, with several privates, were killed, and Colonel Dougherty, of the Twenty-second, and Major McClurken, of the Thirtieth, who was near me, seriously wounded. Here my body servant killed one of the enemy by a pistol-shot. Page 282: Our victory, though signal and extraordinary, cost many valuable lives. Major Thomas McClurken, an accomplished and efficient officer, whose services were conspicuous on the field, was severely, and I fear mortally, wounded. Page 286: When we arrived at the corn field after the first attack in the woods we were again assailed. It was there that 12 or 15 of the Seventh Iowa Regiment fell. They had been separated from their command early in the action, and had been fighting by my side in my regiment during the day, and I must add that they obeyed all my commands cheerfully, and fought gallantly during the whole of the engagement. Major McClurken here fell like a true soldier, in front of the ranks. After passing through the corn field we received one volley on the left of my regiment from the retiring enemy, which wounded 2 of my men. That was the last of the engagement until we got to the boats. My regiment came to the boats in order, bringing off quite a number of the wounded. Page 354 & 355: General Polk then ordered us to return to the bank of the river, as no further good could be accomplished by our muskets when opposed to their floating batteries. Our loss in this affair was, as per detailed statement herewith transmitted, 12 killed and 42 wounded; amongst them was the gallant Butler, who fell while bravely discharging his duty. Lieutenant Alexander, of the Cannon Guards, Company D, fell during the hottest of the fire, while gallantly cheering on his men to action. As to the enemy's loss I cannot state with any accuracy, but we counted in the immediate range of our fire over a hundred dead bodies, besides a larger number wounded and prisoners; amongst the latter was Major McClurken, Thirtieth Illinois Regiment, who was shot from his horse while cheering on his men to attack our lines. Page 364: After the troops were landed we began taking on the dead and wounded and some prisoners, among the latter of whom were Major McClurken, of the Illinois troops, and Adjutant Boler; also a Yankee flag was brought in displayed on our jack-staff, to the great delight of our people. From Series 2, Volume 3: Pages 313 & 314: This application was based on the fact that I had on a former occasion granted a similar request made of me in behalf of the wives of Colonels Dougherty and McClurken, captured at Belmont, and the assurance of the commanding general at Cairo that he would reciprocate the courtesy if events should make it desirable.
_MIL S42Page: Thomas McClurken Major
Occupation source: S33Page: 156-157
Text: One of the most important additions to the business of Sparta, was the erection, in 1850, of a Woolen Factory, by the Messrs.(James & Thomas) McClurken. It was constructed at a heavy expense, and has been in successful operation ever since. The present (1859) proprietor, Mr. Thomas McClurken, has made additions to its manufacturing capacity during this season, and now the wool growers of this and adjoining counties have a ready market for their wool.
Residence source: S33Page: 161
Death source: S32Page: pages 419 - 421
Text: MAJOR THOMAS McCLURKEN, ILL. VOL.
MORTALLY WOUNDED AT BELMONT, MO.., NOVEMBER 7, 1861.
MAJOR THOMAS MCCLURKEN was of Scottish ancestry, and a descendant of the McClurkens of South Carolina, who were prominent patriots in the Revolutionary War. His father, James McClurken, emigrated, in the year 1818, to the promised Canaan, Illinois, settled in the southern part of the State, became a prominent citizen, was a member of the Illinois Legislature, and filled other positions of high public trust. His son Thomas was born at Sparta, in Randolph county, on the 25th day of December, 1827. During his early life but few opportunities were offered to explore the caves of knowledge. The village school was the only spring at which to quench the thirst for intellectual culture. His education, therefore, was not the polished marble of collegiate study, but rather the rough hewn stone, quarried by his own individual effort. Parental love, anxiety, and care, had early sown the seed of good example, to which his early youth paid silent homage.
Accustomed, when quite young, to depend upon himself, he became ripe in the knowledge of men and events, and when but a youth, had spanned a. history of experience that might have been credited to sterner years.
He associated himself with his brother, who was then a prominent merchant in St. Louis. It was here he formed the acquaintance with the daughter of the Hon. Sidney Breese, of Illinois, a lady of estimable worth, and was married to her, in the year 1851. His mind having been cast in a mechanical mould, the habits of mercantile life were ill suited to his tastes, and surrendering his connections in St Louis, he returned to his native Sparta, to assume control of a large woollen manufactory. From this period (1851) to the time when he enlisted in the holiest of holy causes,-the preservation of the American Union,-he was actively engaged in developing the manufacturing facilities of Southern Illinois, and closely identified with every interest of public utility. In his deportment he was kind, genial, and urbane; and in the robe of his character were woven some of those rare qualities which attract, elevate, and adorn. His political persuasions, prior to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, were of the Democratic faith. But, from the period of 1854, he had been an active, earnest, and consistent advocate of the Republican party. When rebellion broke the bonds of thirty years' confinement; when Southern chivalry, drunk with its success at Sumter, rioted in armed legions on the banks of the Potomac, menacing the capital, Major McClurken, sacrificing the comforts and endearments of home, the profits of a growing, lucrative business, gave the weight of his influence to the cause, was soon at the head of a company of worthy men, marched to Camp Butler, Illinois, was attached to the then forming regiment of Colonel Philip B. Fouke, and was commissioned as its major, by the governor of the State. By his energy of character, and earnest solicitude for the comfort of his men, he won the esteem of his whole command. This esteem ripened into admiration by his cool, daring courage, on the fatal field of Belmont, where he fell, while gallantly cheering his men on to the charge. A ball penetrated his right temple, carrying away a part of the skull. In this dying state he fell into the hands of the enemy, but was the next day recovered by means of a flag of truce, and brought to Cairo, where he expired in the arms of his family, on the 16th of November.
Belmont, like Springfield, and Ball's Bluff, has passed into history; and whatever bearing they may have on the present struggle, a gratified people will long remember their respective heroes. The impartial historic pen, that will record the deeds of the noble Lyon, the gallant Greble, and the daring Baker, will do equal justice to the memory of the subject of our sketch, Major Thomas McClurken.
Death source: S123Page: page 748
Text: 30th Reiment
Maj. Thomas McClurken
Died at Belmont. Illinois Historical and Statistical, page 748, 30th Reiment Maj. Thomas McClurken Died at Belmont.
Occupation source: S33Page: 161
Residence source: S11Text: Thomas McClurken
Eloise McClurken