McLane, George

Died: 1860-10-13 New Mexico Territory

Son of prominent Federalist and Jacksonian Democrat Louis McLane, George McLane volunteered for military service at the beginning of the Mexican War. In May 1846, he received a commission into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in the newly created Mounted Riflemen under the command of Persifor F. Smith. McLane participated in General Winfield Scott's expedition from Veracruz to Mexico City. He distinguished himself in several engagements, most notably at Cerro Gordo (where he was wounded), Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepec. He was breveted first lieutenant for his gallant and meritorious conduct at Contreras and Churubusco and breveted captain for Chapultepec. In October 1847, he received promotion to first lieutenant. After the war, he remained in the Mount Rifleman, engaging in garrison duty in the American Southwest. In December 1856, he received promotion to captain. He died in a skirmish between his regiment and Navajo Indians.

Wm. Hugh Robarts, Mexican War Veterans: A Complete Roster of the Regular and Volunteer Troops in the War Between the United States and Mexico, From 1846 to 1848 (Washington, DC: Brentano's, 1887), 13; Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army(Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1903), 1:674; J. Thomas Scharf, History of Delaware. 1609-1888 (Philadelphia: L. J. Richards, 1888), 1:323; Baltimore: Its History and Its People (New York and Chicago: Lewis, 1912), 2:175-76.