Major General John C. Breckinridge (CSA)

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Major General John Cabell Breckinridge (CSA)

John Cabell Breckinridge was born at Thorn Hill, his family's estate near Lexington, Kentucky on 16 January 1821. He received a Bachelor of Laws degree from Transylvania University and was licensed to practice the next day. In 1845, he formed a partnership with future U.S. Senator James B. Beck.

A supporter of the Mexican-American War, Breckinridge sought appointment to the staff of Maj. Gen. William Orlando Butler, but Butler could only offer him an unpaid aide position. In 1847, he finally received a commission as major of the 3rd Kentucky Infantry. Thomas Crittenden was appointed lieutenant colonel. When the 3rd Kentucky reached Mexico City on 18 December, the fighting was almost over and they never participated in combat remaining in the city as an army of occupation until 30 May 1848.

Following the war, Breckinridge became involved in Kentucky politics as a Democrat. He co-founded the Kentucky Statesman, a semi-weekly Democratic newspaper. He visited his cousin, Mary Todd, and met her husband, Abraham Lincoln, and the two became friends despite their political differences. Breckinridge served as U.S. Representative from Kentucky's 8th District from 1851 to 1855. President Franklin Pierce nominated him to replace Pierre Soulé as U.S. Minister to Spain. He was confirmed by the Senate, but Breckinridge declined desiring to care for his sick wife and rebuild his personal wealth. He engaged in land speculation in Minnesota and Wisconsin territories and promoted the advancement of horse racing in Kentucky.

Breckenridge supported re-nomination of Pierce at the 1856 Democratic National Convention. When Pierce's hopes dwindled, he threw his support behind his friend, Stephen Douglas. However, James Buchanan eventually became the nominee. Breckinridge was suggested as a balance to the ticket to placate disgruntled Pierce and Douglas supporters, and he was nominated for vice president on the second ballot. He actively campaigned for his and Buchanan's election, unlike most political nominees of the time and won election in November. At thirty-six years old at inauguration, Breckenridge was the youngest vice-president in U.S. history. However, Buchanan resented Breckinridge and the two rarely worked together.

Breckinridge was nominated by Southern Democrats for President, while Stephen Douglas received the Northern Democratic nomination, and John Bell was nominated by the Constitutional Union Party in 1860. Breckinridge believed in the right of secession and was accused of favoring the breakup of the Union. In order to win, he needed not only support from the South but also the North so he had to distance himself from the South and risk losing its support to Bell. Ultimately, Breckinridge came third in the popular vote but second in the Electoral College to Abraham Lincoln.

As Vice President, Breckinridge announced the results of the election. He also appointed "an able committee, representing every major faction" – Committee of Thirteen on the Disturbed Condition of the Country. Breckinridge had been elected Senator from Kentucky earlier and after swearing in Hannibal Hamlin as vice-president, he was sworn in as a newly elected senator.

Breckinridge urged compromise to preserve the Union, but the situation deteriorated. In Kentucky, Unionists controlled the state legislature and gained more support when Confederate forces moved into Kentucky. He fled behind Confederate lines and was commissioned a brigadier general and expelled from the Senate.

Following the Battle of Shiloh, he was promoted to major general and in October 1862 was assigned to the Army of the Mississippi under Braxton Bragg. After Bragg charged that Breckinridge's drunkenness had contributed to defeats at Stone River and Missionary Ridge, and after Breckinridge joined other high-ranking officers in criticizing Bragg, he was transferred to the Trans-Allegheny Department, where he won his most significant victory in the 1864 Battle of New Market.

After participating in Jubal Early's campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley, he was charged with defending supplies in Tennessee and Virginia. In February 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis appointed him Secretary of War. Breckinridge concluded that the war was hopeless and urged David to arrange a national surrender. After the fall of Richmond, Breckinridge ensured the preservation of Confederate records. He fled with Davis and attempted to create a diversion to allow Davis to escape.

After harrowing near-misses with Federal forces, Breckinridge finally made it to Cuba. He then moved to Britain and was reunited with his family in Toronto, Canada. From 1866 to 1868, he toured Europe. Desiring to return to America but still fearing capture, Breckinridge moved his family back to Niagara in June 1868. He refused to seek a pardon. James Beck, his old law partner, then in Congress, advised Breckinridge to return to the U.S. prior to President Andrew Johnson issuing a general pardon to all former Confederates because he feared it might only apply to those in America.

He returned to Kentucky and resisted all encouragement to resume his political career. War wounds sapped his health and he died on 17 May 1875 in Lexington, Kentucky.