John C. Black

John Charles Black was an American politician and Union Army officer during the American Civil War. Serving in the infantry, he rose to the rank of colonel and eventually received the brevet rank of brigadier general of volunteers. He was highly regarded for his leadership and bravery under fire, particularly during the Western campaigns of the war.

He received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a Union Army lieutenant colonel and regimental commander at the Battle of Prairie Grove on December 7, 1862. Despite being severely wounded, Black led a charge against a Confederate battery, demonstrating exceptional gallantry in the face of intense enemy opposition.

Following his military service, Black entered politics as a Democrat, serving as a U.S. Congressman from Illinois. His legacy remains defined by both his distinguished combat record and his subsequent public service to his home state and the nation.