How old was John C. Breckinridge when he became vice president of the United States?

Thirty-six-year-old Breckinridge took office on the 4th of March 1857 as the youngest vice president in U.S. history.

Why did the U.S. Senate expel John C. Breckinridge from his seat in December 1860?

The U.S. Senate expelled him by a vote of 36 to 0 on December 4 because a resolution stated he joined enemies of his country.

What role did John C. Breckinridge play during the Battle of Shiloh on the 6th of April 1862?

Breckinridge formed the Confederate rearguard after General Joseph E. Johnston died during the fighting that day.

Which battle did John C. Breckinridge win with cadets and troops on May 15 1864?

Confederate forces defeated 6,300 federal troops at New Market on May 15 while about 4,800 men including 261 cadets fought Sigel.

John C. Breckinridge

John Cabell Breckinridge entered the world on the 16th of January 1821 at Thorn Hill. This estate sat near Lexington in Kentucky. He was the fourth child and only son of Joseph Cabell Breckinridge and Mary Clay Smith. His mother came from a prominent lineage. Samuel Stanhope Smith founded Hampden, Sydney College in 1775. John Witherspoon signed the Declaration of Independence as her grandfather. The family moved to Frankfort in February 1821. Governor John Adair needed assistance with his duties as secretary of state. An illness called the prevailing fever struck Frankfort in August 1823. Both parents fell ill during this outbreak. Cabell Breckinridge died while his wife survived. The widow joined her children in Lexington. They relied on support from her mother-in-law. Young John attended Pisgah Academy in Woodford County. His grandmother taught him political philosophies from her late husband. That husband served in the U.S. Senate under Thomas Jefferson. In 1834 he enrolled at Centre College in Danville. Schoolmates included Beriah Magoffin and Theodore O'Hara. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in September 1838.

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Breckinridge read law with Judge William Owsley after returning to Kentucky. He enrolled in Transylvania University in November 1840. George Robertson and Thomas A. Marshall instructed him there. On the 25th of February 1841 he received a Bachelor of Laws degree. He practiced briefly in Iowa before settling in Georgetown. Mary Cyrene Burch became his wife on the 12th of December 1843. Six children followed including Joseph Cabell born in 1844. He moved back to Lexington in 1845. James B. Beck became his law partner. Kentuckians elected him to the House of Representatives in August 1849. He won Fayette County by over 400 votes more than his nearest competitor. The district had never elected a Democrat before this moment. Breckinridge enslaved five humans during this period. He publicly opposed impairing legal protection for slavery. Despite this stance he represented free blacks in court. He supported voluntary emancipation efforts. The Kentucky Colonization Society aimed to relocate free blacks to Liberia. His political career began amidst these contradictions. He served as leader of the House Democratic caucus. Most measures considered were local or petty in nature.

The 1856 Democratic National Convention met in Cincinnati. William Alexander Richardson suggested nominating Breckinridge for vice president. This move would balance James Buchanan's ticket. A delegate from Louisiana placed his name before the convention. Ten men received votes on the first ballot. Mississippi's John A. Quitman led with 59 votes. Eight state delegations cast 55 votes for Breckinridge. Kentucky cast its 12 votes for Linn Boyd. Large numbers of delegates voted for him on the second ballot. They changed their votes to make it unanimous. Thirty-six-year-old Breckinridge took office on the 4th of March 1857. He was the youngest vice president in U.S. history. He exceeded the constitutional age requirement by only one year. Relations between him and President Buchanan remained strained. Buchanan resented that Breckinridge had supported Stephen Douglas earlier. Meetings between the two were infrequent. Buchanan rarely consulted him on patronage appointments. When Breckinridge asked for a private interview he was told to ask Harriet Lane. Later three intimates conveyed Buchanan's apologies for the misunderstanding. The Democrats won the election with 174 electoral votes.

Breckinridge took his seat as senator in December 1860. Seven states had already seceded when he arrived. Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter on the 12th of April 1861. Union forces occupied Paducah on September 6. Union General Thomas E. Bramlette intended to arrest him next. On the 19th of September 1861 he left Lexington. He traveled to Abingdon then to Bowling Green. The state legislature requested his resignation immediately. An open letter dated October 8 declared Kentucky free to choose its course. He exchanged six years in the Senate for the musket of a soldier. He was indicted for treason in Frankfort on the 6th of November 1861. The U.S. Senate expelled him by a vote of 36, 0 on December 4. A resolution stated he joined enemies of his country. Breckinridge commissioned as brigadier general on the 2nd of November 1861. Simon Bolivar Buckner recommended him for this role. He commanded the 1st Kentucky Brigade. This unit became known as the Orphan Brigade. They felt orphaned by Kentucky's Unionist government.

Johnston decided to attack Grant at Shiloh on the 6th of April 1862. Breckinridge's reserves joined the battle near Corinth. Johnston died during the fighting that day. P.G.T. Beauregard ordered generals to break off fighting around 6 o'clock. Breckinridge formed the Confederate rearguard. Of 7,000 troops under his command 386 were killed and 1,628 wounded. He received promotion to major general on the 14th of April 1862. Van Dorn ordered him to recapture Baton Rouge on August 5. His forces numbered around 3,000 due to illness and desertions. He captured prisoners and destroyed supplies before withdrawing. Bragg resented Breckinridge's close ties to other commanders. Relations deteriorated further after Murfreesboro. On the 31st of December 1862 Union forces attacked at Stones River. Breckinridge was slow to cross the river. His attacks proved ineffective against Union positions. Nearly one-third of his men fell in just over an hour. An anecdote records him crying out My poor Orphans among survivors. Bragg charged Breckinridge with drunkenness at Chattanooga. Historian Lowell Harrison noted he could consume large amounts without getting drunk. Bragg removed Breckinridge from command in late November.

Jefferson Davis assigned Breckinridge to the Eastern Theater in February 1864. Robert E. Lee ordered a reconnaissance mission near Winchester on May 5. About 4,800 men including 261 cadets fought Sigel. They defeated 6,300 federal troops at New Market on May 15. The victory protected Lee's flank and defended a railroad junction. Floodwaters made the Potomac impassable for invasion plans. At Second Battle of Kernstown on July 24 Confederate troops numbered 13,000. They defeated 10,000 Federal troops under George Crook. This allowed Confederates to resume their invasion of the North. Breckinridge played an important role halting Grant at Cold Harbor. A cannonball struck his horse during that battle. He remained unable to walk or ride when Lee ordered him to take command. Early and Breckinridge chased Hunter more than sixty miles away. Union forces attempted to turn back the expedition at Monocacy on July 9. Lincoln watched the fight from Fort Stevens ramparts. This marked the only time two former presidential opponents faced each other across lines. Philip Sheridan forced their retreat at Third Battle of Winchester on September 19.

James A. Seddon resigned as Secretary of War on the 19th of January 1865. Jefferson Davis appointed Breckinridge to the vacant position on February 6. He administered his office more efficiently than predecessors. His first act promoted Robert E. Lee to general-in-chief. Lucius B. Northrop served as commissary general until removed. Isaac M. St. John improved supply flow to troops. By late February Breckinridge concluded the cause was hopeless. He delegated daily operations to assistant John Archibald Campbell. Lee sent a telegram on April 2 ordering withdrawal from Richmond. Breckinridge ordered bridges over James River burned upon exit. He joined Lee's forces at Farmville on April 5. They arrived in Danville on April 11. Lee had surrendered on April 9 before their arrival. At Bennett Place he assisted Joseph Johnston with surrender negotiations. Sherman later praised Breckinridge's negotiating skills. On April 18 he heard news of Lincoln assassination. The President died four days earlier in Petersen House. Eyewitness accounts recall him saying Gentlemen the South has lost its best friend. He rode into Abbeville on April 28.

John C. Breckinridge.

Legal Training And Early Politics

Legal Training And Early Politics

Rise To Vice Presidency

Senate Expulsion And War Entry

Western Theater Command

Eastern Theater Victories

Confederate Secretary Of War

Rise To Vice Presidency

Senate Expulsion And War Entry

Western Theater Command

Eastern Theater Victories

Confederate Secretary Of War

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Common questions

John C. Breckinridge.

1. Legal Training And Early Politics

1. Legal Training And Early Politics

2. Rise To Vice Presidency

3. Senate Expulsion And War Entry

4. Western Theater Command

5. Eastern Theater Victories

6. Confederate Secretary Of War

2. Rise To Vice Presidency

3. Senate Expulsion And War Entry

4. Western Theater Command

5. Eastern Theater Victories

6. Confederate Secretary Of War

Continue Browsing

Common questions

Legal Training And Early Politics

Legal Training And Early Politics

Rise To Vice Presidency

Senate Expulsion And War Entry

Western Theater Command

Eastern Theater Victories

Confederate Secretary Of War

Rise To Vice Presidency

Senate Expulsion And War Entry

Western Theater Command

Eastern Theater Victories

Confederate Secretary Of War