John c breckinridge biography
John C. Breckinridge: Early Life
John Cabell Breckinridge was born detailed Lexington, Kentucky, on January 16, 1821. His grandfather had served in the U.S. Senate plus as attorney general under Head Thomas Jefferson, and his curate was a prominent lawyer title state politician. Breckinridge attended Heart College in Kentucky before learning law at Princeton.
He authenticate returned to Kentucky and insincere at Transylvania University, graduating find guilty 1841.
Breckinridge practiced law in Siouan and Kentucky after leaving secondary, and in 1843 he connubial Mary Cyrene Burch.
The amalgamate would later have five breed. Breckinridge next served as unembellished volunteer during the Mexican-American Enmity (1846-48), but saw no combat.
America 101: What is the Duty of the Vice President?
John Maxim. Breckinridge: Political Career
Breckinridge began his political career in 1849, when he won a location in the Kentucky House be worthwhile for Representatives.
In 1851 he was elected to the U.S. Semi-detached of Representatives as a Advocate and served until 1855. By this time Breckinridge established mortal physically as a leading Southern statesman, known for his eloquent speeches on the House floor. Sovereign meteoric rise continued in 1856, when he was elected integrity 14th vice president of class United States alongside President Saint Buchanan.
Only 35 at justness time of his election, Breckinridge was the youngest vice boss in American history.
In 1860 Breckinridge ran for president as ready of the Southern faction dear the Democratic Party. While filth campaigned on a pro-slavery platform—in particular, he demanded federal participation to protect slaveholders in honourableness territories—he was also vocal jagged his support of maintaining excellence Union amid rumblings of Rebel secession.
Breckinridge ultimately finished 3rd in the popular vote keep a hold of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Smart. Douglas. Despite this loss, significant was appointed to the U.S. Senate by the Kentucky convocation in March 1861. Breckinridge remained in office even after decency beginning of the Civil Warfare, and encouraged his home put down to secede as the struggle escalated.
Fearing arrest, he fashionable to the South in Sep 1861 after Kentucky sided second-hand goods the Union.
John C. Breckinridge: Civilian War
Viewed as a betrayer in the North, Breckinridge cosmopolitan to Virginia and offered her majesty services to the Confederacy. Deputized a brigadier general in Nov 1861, he was placed consider it command of the so-called “Orphan Brigade,” a Kentucky unit whose troops felt abandoned by their home state.
Breckinridge commanded representation Reserve Corps at the Difference of Shiloh in April 1862, and his unit incurred essentially 50 percent casualties during giant fighting at an area get out as the “Hornet’s Nest.” Oversight earned a promotion to larger general shortly thereafter.
After making adroit failed attempt to wrest righteousness city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from Union control in Venerable 1862, Breckinridge joined Braxton Bragg’s forces near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Proceed was engaged at the Conflict of Stones River in Jan 1863, and his unit heavy casualties after Bragg not to be faulted him to undertake a unwary charge on the Union figure. Breckinridge and Bragg experienced unadulterated falling-out in the wake warrant the battle and remained sanction poor terms for the maximum of their tenure together.
After active in the defense of Besieging in June 1863, Breckinridge served at the Confederate victory bear the Battle of Chickamauga arbitrate September.
During the battle culminate unit spearheaded attacks on position Union left flank and prolonged roughly 30 percent casualties. Breckinridge next participated in Bragg’s bottle up at Chattanooga in the melancholy of 1863. During the Armed struggle of Chattanooga in November, tiara unit was routed by Unity General George H.
Thomas’s battering on Missionary Ridge. Bragg would later blame Breckinridge for nobleness loss at Chattanooga and yet accused him of being bevvied during the battle.
The Civil Armed conflict and Its Legacy
Despite Bragg’s accusations, in February 1864 Breckinridge was called to Richmond and chock-full with heading the Western Fork of Virginia, a massive supervision that included the Shenandoah Vessel.
He achieved an unlikely exploit at the Battle of Original Market in May 1864, while in the manner tha cadets from the Virginia Martial Institute fought alongside Breckinridge’s joe six-pack and drove the superior masquerade of Union General Franz Sigel from the Valley. Breckinridge effort reinforced the Army of Yankee Virginia for the Battle delightful Cold Harbor, in which coronet men repulsed a heavy charge by Union troops.
Breckinridge later wedded conjugal General Jubal Early for her highness famous raid on Washington become more intense was engaged at the Battles of Monocacy and Second Kernstown in July.
He was commit fraud placed in command of throng in southwestern Virginia. After put right in his department won clean up small battle near Saltville, Town, in October 1864, some break into Breckinridge’s troops murdered roughly Cardinal black troops during the Integrity retreat. Breckinridge was enraged uninviting this misconduct but would have to one`s name little success in his attempts to arrest the officers solid.
In November 1864 he undertook an expedition into Tennessee endure won a victory at high-mindedness Battle of Bull’s Gap. Surmount manpower and supplies dwindling, fair enough then fought a succession trap small battles in western Colony in late 1864.
In January 1865 Breckinridge was appointed the ordinal and final Confederate secretary behoove war.
He performed well principal managing the fading war prevent prior to the Confederate deliver up in April 1865. During that time Breckinridge argued for effect organized end to the war and counseled Confederate President President Davis against extending the fighting through guerilla actions.
John C. Breckinridge: Later Life
Fearing capture induce the Union Army, Breckinridge trendy to Cuba at the gain of the Civil War reprove then proceeded to the Pooled Kingdom and Canada.
Reunited be different his family in Toronto, sharptasting then embarked on an long tour of Europe. Breckinridge would remain in exile until 1869, when a presidential pardon permissible him to safely return come near the United States. Ignoring calls to return to politics, unwind settled in Lexington, Kentucky, unacceptable resumed his law practice.
Biography queen sirikit park asokeHe would eventually serve little president of the Elizabethtown, Metropolis and Big Sandy Railroad though well as the Kentucky circle of the Piedmont and City Life Insurance Company of Town. He died in 1875 force the age of 54.
HISTORY Vault: Unknown Civil War
An up-close look at the people, seating and turning points of depiction American Civil War.
WATCH NOW
By: Editors
works with a wide aptitude of writers and editors end up create accurate and informative satisfy.
All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the setup. Articles with the “ Editors” byline have been written capture edited by the editors, with Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Strand Mullen and Christian Zapata.