New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-18
OBITUARY.
JOHN CABELL BRECKENRIDGE.

law at Transyvana Institute and was admitted 10 the
bar at Lexington lie migrated to Burlington, Iowa,
but in a short time returned to Lexington, where he
practiced his profession with considerable He
served Major of infantry during the latter part OF
the with Mexico and, while in that country, dstn-
gushed himself counsel for Gen Pillow in the series
OF singular prosecutions between him and his associates
and superors On his he elected to the State
Legislature Of Kentucky. where he first had Oppor
funity to exhibit his powers as debater In 1851 he
elected to the House OF Representatives in the
Ashland district, after animated contest with Cen
Leslie COombs. In 1883 he reelected after
still protractcd contest, Gov. Robert
Ietcher. One Of his first public acts the de-
livery of a eulogy soon after Henry Clay's
DEATH although he OF a different party from that
distinguished statesman In the discussion on the Kan
easNebraska bill he involved In personal alterca
ton with Mr.. Cutting Of NewYOrk which led to the
preliminares Of duel. The meeting was however,
avoided without any mputaon resting upon the charac
ter either sputant Upon the accession of President
Pierce he rendered the mission TO Spain, but family
affairs compelled him decline the honor and Mr. Soule
was appointed.
The Democratic Convention. which at Cincinnati in
June 15J0 having nominated Mr. Buchanan for President
proceeded select candidate for Vice President On
the first ballot John A. Qutman Of Mississippi received
the highest vote-59, but the second his name was
withdrawn and Mr.. Breckinridge unanimously NOM
mated In the election which followed the Democrats
carried 10 States electng their candidates by plurality
electoral
the succeeding four in the Senate but did nothing
more deserving OF record. During the turmoil
which preceded the next election, ne was spoken
Of available candidate. He was heart
lily In accord with the proSlavery element OF
the Democratic party. while he not unpopular with
those who dissatisfied with Southern dictaton-
He received FIVE and votes two success
sive ballots at the Democratic Convention which
assembled early in 1860 at Baltimore and nomin-
Ated Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois for President
AT the Scoeders Convention, which met in the city
the 2sth Of June received the unanimous vote of
Che los members present, and accordingly nom-
mated for Prsid mt. Gen Joseph Lane nominated
for voe-President by a similar vote. The platform
adopted the intensely prOSavery reported 10
the Convention by Mr.. Avery of North Carolina At the
election in November Mr. Breckenridge received 279211
popular votes 57Os71 in the Slave States
BE only Southern and had in all only -
votes in the Electoral College. The four slave States
which rejected him favor OF Douglas Bell Ken
trcky, Tennessee, Virginia and Missouri.
The pro-slavery party in Kentucky mpensated Brock
inrdge his defeat electn him the Senate in place
OF the venerable and Unonovnc John j. Crtenden who
had served the 90 had been twice Attorney
General OF the United states on the 18th OF February
as6l Mr. Breckenridge declared Abraham Lincoln Presi
dent, and the 4th of March he resigr ed the
chair in a few courteous words, to take his seat
on the floor member while Vce-President
Hamn LEFT the floor TO take the chair
with az little parade. The Senate remained in
extra session until the 2Sth OF March. The time was
passed discussing the state OF the Union and the
expediency asking the President to define his policy
Senator Breckenridge finally offered resolution de-
clsring tina. the Senate recommend and advise the
of the United troops from the limits OF the
Confederate States" Action this cool but sinister
proposal precluded by the adjournment OF the
Senate Mr Breckenridge, however had provoked a
reply from senator Douglas wherein the weakness OF his
opponents plea for disunon clearly demonstrated
Mr.. Brecknridge continued member of the Senate
and regularly in the extra session which assembled
on the Atm OF July against all measures calculated 10
did the Union widen the bounds Of freedom In
seDtembor however the National Government resolved
q make i.s minority fen in Kentucky which had been
the scene OF intestine conflicts. Ex-Gov Morehead was
ss.ordRsy arrested and conveyed to Fort Laiaye11e
Alarmed al This act Senator Breckenridge, WIN several
other eadng ssccsonsts fed to the camps in southern
yontuc and there openly gave in lis adhesion 10 the
Confederacy. H promptly appointed Brgaiier-
General and was ready for active service at the opening
of the Spring campaign
Gen Breckinridgc commanded the reserve Of the army
switch advanced on Pittsburg Landing and IN the ngh
,ng wbic1 ensued april and :, 1862 he was struck
- hv s,o,t hills When the battle lost he com
nandel the force OF which protected the To-
treat He again encountered the Union FORCES al baton
s2oupe august 81 in command OF IL regiments he at
sacked the forces OF Gen Williams and after desperate
6ghting for some he was competed 20 retreat
hev;ng lost from 600 10 400 men. Cen BrecknrldSe
commanded Ito corps which formed the extreme rSht OF
sh Co,fodAr,te forces at Murfreesboro and
- a., active parcipant in four days fighting ana
.,rish % on that eventfu battle ground On the iaS'
49, rhty his entire corps forming three maSnlhcshV
columns Of assault charged Union lines, ana swept
,he oppon forces before them until declma'ed Dy tne
sJnion batteries and assaed by the forces "nicn "u
,ncea 70 te rescue they hurled back in disorder
"a .ho da1, vvas won Gen Breckinridce again In
,, eold rjnr the desperate fighting at Chickamauga
To adoa IN Bcgs attempt to interp0se his forces Dc
<aen the Union army and Chattanooga, and was one OF
.he most energetic commanders on that sanguAry gay
= Going north, Gen Breckenridge was placed III
command of about 900 men in the Shenandoah valley
Here MAY Is. 1864 he encountered an equai Iorce
,nder Gen Sge which he routed with loss OF OV ihe
sn November he surprised Gen Gnlem near horrstown
I'm and utterly routed him. About February 1863
-. proo,iprdge who was then a Major-General, was
ected 10 succeed Mr. sheldon as secretary Oh wal III
g. Corfo1crate Cabinet In this position he acted with
cor and disuaved great resources In reenOrclng the
r-,, and furnishing IL with supplies lie reInaineo at
D. nest until the overthrow Of the COnederacy when ne
,scaned TO England He resided there ana IN Canaua
until he could return unmOlested he was never no"
oyer relieved from his disabilities. Since ms return W
I,,ct Cen Breckinridge had remained in retirement
ang no mart in political affairs He was lately Vislteo
nv President wilson who had an interesting inter-
view with his former associate
An incident Mr.. Breckinrdge's senatorial career
1bus related by COL Forney his Anecdotes OF Public
Men j."
porh the most dramatic scene that took place
an the Senate Chamber. old new, was that DetWen
ISreckinrdgc and Col L. d. Baker OF oregon on aug -
1851 five days before the adjournment SIC oe III Cit
darkest rerjod OF the war when the rebellion was most
Ge1aT aio LoDe The last week OF that July was Iu
sof sxctHmcut in Congress and the country ana Kh0"
how much labor and patience required 10 Keep awe e
hoa 20 49, roopIe THE course OF Powell and Breckln
ridge Of Kentucky Bright OF Indiana in opposing the