JAMES

See also:

• JAMES SHIELDS (181b-1879)

SHIELDS (181b-1879)  , American soldier, was born in Dungannon, county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1810: He emigrated to the United States in 1826, and in 1832 began to practice law in Kaskaskia, Illinois . He was prominent in Democratic politics, was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives in 1836—1838, was state auditor in 1841—1843, was judge of the supreme court of the state in 1843-1845, and was commissioner of the U.S . General Land Office in 1845—1847 . In the Mexican War he served as a brigadier-general of volunteers under General Zachary Taylor on the Rio Grande, under General John E . Wool in Chihuahua, and under General Winfield Scott in the southern campaign; he was breveted major-general for *gallantry at Cerro Gordo, where he was severely wounded, and he was again wounded at Chapultepec . In 1849—1855 he was a United States senator from Illinois; and in 1858—1859 was a senator from Minnesota . In 186o he removed to California . In August 1861, soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, he was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers; in March 1862 he succeeded to the command of General Frederick W . Lander's division; he was in command on the Federal side at Winchester (23 March 1862) and at Port Republic (9 June); and in March 1863 he resigned his commission . He then settled in Carrollton, Missouri, and in 1875 was a member of the State House of Representatives; in 1879 he was United States senator from Missouri for six weeks to fill an unexpired term . He died at Ottumwa, Iowa, on the 1st of June 1879 .