James R. Slack
| James R. Slack | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 28, 1818 Bucks County, Pennsylvania |
| Died | July 28, 1881 (aged 62) Chicago, Illinois |
| Place of burial | Mt. Hope Cemetery, Huntington, Indiana |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1866 |
| Rank |
 Brevet Major General
|
| Commands held | 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | lawyer, Indiana legislator |
James Richard Slack (September 28, 1818 – July 28, 1881) was an Indiana politician and a Union general during the American Civil War.
Slack was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 1818. His family moved to Indiana in 1837 where he worked as a farm hand on his father's farm. He also worked as a teacher, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1840. He moved to Huntington, Indiana where he became involved in politics, first as county auditor then as a state senator.
On December 13, 1861 Slack was appointed colonel of the 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Shortly after he assumed command of a brigade in the Army of the Mississippi. During the Battle of Island Number Ten he commanded the 1st Brigade in General John M. Palmer's 3rd Division of the Army of the Mississippi. After that, Slack led his regiment in several expeditions in the Mississippi Valley.
In 1863 he was again in brigade command during the Vicksburg Campaign where he led the 2nd Brigade, 12th Division, XIII Corps. During the siege of Vicksburg he was transferred to command the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, XIII Corps. He remained in command of this brigade during the Red River Campaign. During the fall of 1864 he commanded the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, XIX Corps and was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on November 10, 1864.
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