The Last Roll: Lieut. Rice McLean

The Last Roll

Lieut. Rice McLean.

Rice McLean was born in Marshall County, Tenn., August 8, 1835. His father, A. M. McLean, was a leading and public-spirited citizen of the country and substantial in business.

When the war began, in 1861, Rice McLean was among the first to offer his services to his native State, and enlisted in a cavalry company recruited by Capt. D. W. Alexander, an old citizen of the neighborhood. With this company Rice participated in the first West Virginia campaign, under Gen. R. E. Lee. This company did valiant service in that campaign, and won a fine reputation by its faithful and heroic service. After this the company was ordered to the Army of Tennessee, and Rice McLean was made first lieutenant of the company. It became part of a battalion that participated in Bragg's Kentucky campaign.

In 1862, before the battle of Murfreesboro, this with other detachments was organized as Company A, 4th Tennessee Cavalry, of which Baxter Smith was colonel. It was placed in the brigade of Gen. John A. Wharton, of Texas. The other regiments forming the brigade were the 8th and 11th Texas, the 1st Kentucky for a while, and then the 3d Arkansas, the latter forming the brigade up to the surrender, on May 3, 1865, at Charlotte, N. C.

Captain Alexander, while a most gallant officer, having been wounded and being quite old, the command of the company devolved largely upon Rice McLean. He was its fearless leader, participating in all of its battles and marches from Murfreesboro till its surrender with Joe Johnston, in 1865. No officer in the command made more character in the faithful discharge of the duties of a soldier, and many instances could be related of how he was called upon when some daring or perilous service was demanded. He was wounded several times in action, and was usually back at his post of duty before his wounds were fully healed. His reputation in his regiment was that of one of its bravest, most reliable officers. Every old soldier knows unmistakably what this means and the honor the assertion gives after four years' service in the Confederate army.

As a citizen, Rice McLean was a most exemplary one, well known as an honest, upright man in every condition of life. He was conspicuously prompt and energetic, and was amiable, sympathetic, and lovable in his character. He died in December, 1897, in Livingston, Ky., where he had lived for some years after he returned from the army, in 1865. He possessed an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances, who honored, loved, and respected him.

[The foregoing is by a fellow-officer who knew him well.]