[John Clifford]. American soldier, born in Philadelphia, PA, on the 10th of August 1814; graduated at West Point in 1837; served in the Seminole and Mexican Wars; became a lieutenant in the war in Florida; in the Mexican war; in Florida again against the Seminoles; then in southern garrison duty until April 29, 1861, when he resigned. Siding with the Confederates, he was commissioned a colonel of a cavalry regiment, and was on the staff of General Joseph Johnston; became a lieutenant-general; commanded in the Mississippi district, being defeated at Champion Hills and Big Black, on May 16 and 17, respectively; defended Vicksburg against the assault of the Federal troops, but yielded to General Grant, July 4, 1863. After the war he was an inspector of artillery; farmed in Virginia; in 1876 removed to Philadelphia; and died at Penllyn, near that city, on the 13th of July 1881.
