McNIEL, John, soldier, born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, in 1784: died in Washington, D. C., 23 February, 1850. He was commissioned captain in the 11th infantry on 12 March. 1813, and became major on 15 August At the battle of Chippewa, 5 July, 1814, the bayonet charge of this regiment under his command secured the victory to the Americans, for which he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel. He was brevetted colonel on 25 July, 1814, for services at the battle of Niagora, in which he was severely wounded, and he became lieutenant-colonel of the 1st infantry on 24 February. 1818, remaining in the service after the peace, he attained the rank of brevet brigadier-general on 25 July, 1824, and was made colonel of the 1st infantry on 28 August, 1826, but resigned his commission on 23 April, 1830, having been appointed in 1829 surveyor of the port of Boston, which office he held for several years.