Major Thomas McClurken.

Illinois Civil War State Records.

Major Thomas McClurken, 30th., Illinois, Infantry, Field & Staff, Age 32, was a farmer, Enlisted August 28, 1861, at Springfield, Illinois, for 3 years.  Mustered in August 28, 1861, at Camp McClernand, Illinois, Remarks Killed at Belmont, Missouri.

Surgeon General Files.

Major Thomas McClurken, 30th., Illinois, received at the battle of Belmont, Missouri, November 7, 1861, a gun shot to the head and 3 inches of his skull was shot away, and part of his brain was showing.  Died November 15, 1863.

Field Reports.

Here are part of some reports that states McClurken, name.

 

No. 33. Report of Colonel S. F. Marks, Eleventh Louisiana Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Third Division, November 8, 1861.

 

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.

 

No. 6. Report of Colonel Philip B. Fouke, Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, November 9, 1861.

 

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..  

Major-General, John A. McClernand, had this to say, on November 12, 1861.:

Major Thomas McClurken, an accomplished and efficient officer, whose services were conspicuous on the field, was severely, and I fear mortally, wounded.


No. 40. Report of Captain W. L. Trask, steamer Charm, February 14, 1862.
He is talking about the action of November 7, 1861.

After the troops were landed we began taking on the dead and wounded and some prisoners, among the latter of whom were Major McClurken. 

February 23, 1862, Major-General L. Polk, Confederate forces.

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 conrtesy if events should make it desirable.