(1784-1850) A United States army officer, he distinguished himself in leading the bayonet charge which secured victory in the Battle of Chippewa in the War of 1812. For his conduct in this battle, and in the Battle of Bridgewater, where he was severely wounded, he was successively brevetted as lieutenant colonel and colonel. In 1824, he received the brevet rank of brigadier general in recognition of his superior service as a brevet colonel for 10 years. He later received appointment as Surveyor of the Port of Boston, a post he held from 1830 to 1841. The husband of Elizabeth Andrews Pierce, son in law of Governor Benjamin Pierce, and brother in law of President Franklin Pierce, after retiring McNeil lived at the Pierce family home in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. He died in Washington, D.C. on February 23, 1850 and was buried at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Authentic, antique portrait engraving, in uniform with epaulettes and cradling his sword across his elbow. Executed from a painting by Willard. Engraved by O. Pelton. "Gen'l John McNeil" is printed below his likeness as well as his printed facsimile autograph. 6 x 9 1/2. Minor edge wear and age toning. |