The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-01-01
John O. Breokinridge.

Its announced. upon the testimony Of de-
serters from the rebel army, that Maj. Gen.
John c. Breckinridge died from wounds ~.
oeived In the fighting ut Ringold. Gen. Breek.
inridge was born near Lexington, Kentucky
Jan. q, 1921. Having studied law at the Tran.
sylyania Institute. In his State. he resided Iors
short time In Iowa, but soon returned to Ken
tucky and settled In Lexington, where he De-
came one Of the leading members OF his pre-,
-fession, In the Mexican war he was elected
Major OF the Sd Regiment Of Kentucky Volun.
teers, but as his regiment was mustered lato,
he had but little opportunity for active service:
On his return, he was elected to the House OF
Representatives OF Kentucky. In 1851, be was
elected to tho Federal House Of Representatives
over General Leslie COMBS, and In 1853, over
Gov. Robert Letcher. Upon the accession OF
President Pierce, Mr.. Breckenridge was offered
the Ministry to Spain, previously to the ap-
pointment Of Mr.. Soule. but declined u. In
1855, he was nominated and elected Vice Presi-
dent, in conjunction with Buchanan as Prcsi.
dent, and entered upon the office March =
1857.
the Presidency by that wing Of the Democracy
which demanded from the Federal Government
the protection of slavery in oil tho Territories
Of the United States, and he received the eiecto.
raj votes of all the Slave States. with the cx:
ception Of Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and
Virginia. As President Of the o. 8. Senate,
Mr.. Breckenridge had to count the electora!
vote, and to proclaim Mr.. Lincoln President OF
the United States. During the election cam;
paign, Mr.. Brcckinridge. IN reply 70 repeated
inquiries, declared that, In his opinion, the
election of Mr.. Lincoln to the Presidency would
not Justify any State In seeding from tho
Union. On April 20. 1861, Mr.. Breckinridgs
addressed large audience ut Louisville, yio-
lently denouncing President Lincoln's call for
$4,000 volunteers as illegal, advising the call OF
q State Convention to protest against the war,
and, In case that should fail, recommending
that Kentucky unite her fortunes with tha
Sonth. In July, 1861, Mr.. Breckenridge took
his seat In the u. s. Senate as Senator from
Kentucky. While there, he violently opposed
every measure for the suppression OF the rebel
lion. Soon after hc openly Joined the rebels.
and In n manifesto to the people OF kentucky,
dated Bowling Green. Oct. =, declared the
Union dissolved. On Nov. o, he was indicted
by the Grand Jury Of Frankfort, KY, Tor
high treason. and on Dec. he was formally ex-
PEELED from tho U. 8. Senate, the vote being
yeas, 81; nays, none. MIR. Brcckinr'agc has
since been an officer In the rebel army, in which
he was appointed Major General. On Aug. .,
1852, hc made, at tho head Of large rebel
force, an attack upon the Union troops under
Gen. Thomas Williams st Baton Rouge. Ho
drove the Union troops from their position, but
they rallied soon after and compelled the rebels
to retreat. On Aug. IA, Breckinridgc addressed
q note to Col. Paine. commanding the U. y.
forces ut Baton Rouge, complaining Of pretend:
cd outrages committed by Union troops, and
threatening that In future, upon any depar-
ture from the usages OF civilized warfare, "he
would raise the black Gag, and neither give
nor ask quarter" At tho time OF bis death no
Was connected with the army OF Bragg, for
whose removal he had signed petition, In com.
mon with most OF the other Generals OF the