John C.
Breckinridge was Vice President just before Lincoln took office
, and a candidate for President in 1860, but he is best remembered as
a General Breckinridge of the Confederate States of America.
He was Born near Lexington in Cabell's Dale Kentucky in 1821. His
education included Centre College and Transylvania University. He
passed the bar and practiced private law until his election to the
Kentucky state legislature in 1848.
During the Mexican American War he had served in the Army as an
officer. In 1850 he was elected to Congress. When James Buchanan of
Pennsylvania was nominated for President in 1856 Breckinridge was seen
as the perfect balance for the Democrats ticket.
Four years later the Democratic Party split and the
"Southern" Democrats made their own nominations. As it
turned out Republican Abraham Lincoln and "Northern"
Democrat Stephen Douglas were on the ballot in the Northern states,
and "Southern" Democrat John C. Breckinridge and
Constitutional party candidate John Bell (former Speaker of the House)
were on the ballot in the South. John C. Breckinridge received 18 per
cent of the total popular vote.
Breckinridge was chosen to replace John Crittenden as the US Senator
from Kentucky in 1861 (Crittenden compromise) where he continued to
work for a peaceful resolution to the secession crises but finally
gave up and left for the South.
He was commisioned a general in the Confederate army and was promoted
to Brigadier General after the battle of Shiloh in 1862. He later
fought at Vicksburg 1863, and Shenendoah 1865. In the final months of
the war he served as the CSA secretary of war.
After Lee's surrender he fled to England by way of Cuba and he stayed
there for three years.
He took advantage of the Amnesty and returned to practice private law
in Lexington Kentucky. His post war career as a private attorney
lasted until his early death at the young age of 54.
John C. Breckinridge was working for a peaceful solution when
circumstances forced him to take sides in what was to be America’s
bloodiest conflict. Was he really dedicated to the cause of secession,
or did his conscience force him to side with his constituents?
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