The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-05-20
From the Union and merican.
Death of John G.. Breckin-


John Cabeu Breckenridge, the sad details
of whose last lingering illness and long an
ticipated death are detailed il this paper.
was born near Lexington, Jan. 81, 1921. Ed
ucated at Centre College, Danville, under
the auspices of his distinguished uncle, he
STUDIED law al the Pennsylvania Institute
and settled at Lexington, where the out
break of the Mexican war found him. He
went out as Major of the Third Kentucky
Volunteers, but had little opportunity for
active service. Returning home he was first
elected to the State Legislature. In 1851
was elected to Congress, and was reelected
in 1858 after sn exciting canvass. During
the discussion of the Kansas Nebraska bill,
he became involved in personal alteration
with Congressman B. F. Cutting, of New
York, leading to the preliminaries of duel,
which fortunately was avertcd. President
Pierce at one time rendered him the mission
to Spain, but circumstances led him to de-
cline the honor. In 1856 he was elected
Vice-PTesident of the United States, being
the youngest man who ever filled that office
II 1860 he was the nominee of the Southern
wing of the Democracy for the Presidency,
the boilers nomina ing Stephen 4 d. Douglass.
He received the electoral vote of al the cot
ton States, and this fact doubtless influenced
his subsequent career. Although elected
United States Senator from Kentucky the
same year. he remained in that body only
long enough to see the drift of eyerts and
defend the course of the South, when he
Joined that section. entering the army and
rising to the rank of Major General. he
wasErepulsed in an attack on Baton Rouge,
in August, 1861; commanded a corps under
Bragg at Stones river, near Nashville, in
December, 1862, and 1t the battle of Chicka-
manga, in September, 1868. He defeated
Gen. Franz Siegel, at Newmarket, in MAJ
1864; participated in Early's advance on
" ashington in July, and shared his defeat
near Winchester in September. In January
1EkE he W. apUp1Dfe1 Con faIarafa
tary of war. After the surrender OF Gen.
Lee, he went to Europe, whence he returned
in 1865 and has since lived among the scenes
of youth, quietly practicing the profess
sion of the law so far as his ealth permit
ted, and carefully holding aiOOf from
politics.
1t may not be amiss, in this connection, to
copy the tribute of a political opponent.
Speaking of Vice. President Wilson's recent
visit to the dying statesman and warrior
tie Chicago Tribune remarked:
Of all the men who took part in the re-
belliOn, no one made greater personal
sacrifice than John q. Breckenridge. A
man of ability and great personal popularity,
he soon won distinction. He was elected
Representative of the old district which had
given Henry Clay to Congress and this coun-
try. At the early age of IS years he was
elected Vice President of the United States,
and, in anticipation of the expiration of his
term was elected a Senator There was
nothing that could offer itself in the way OF
fame and honor that he might not reasona-
bly, expect. He had not even the excuse
which many othors pleaded. His State
did not secede; she did not join the Con
federacy, and, according to the doctrine OF
State allegiance be should have adhered TO
Kentucky, and shared her fortunes. In an
unfortunate moment he did otherwise. He
abandoned Kentucky and the Union, crossed
the line and linked his fortunes with the
Confederacy.
Had Mr.. Breckenridge remained in the
Union-had he, like 90 many other Kentuek-
ians. espoused the cause of the cOuntTy-he
woy Id have become one of the leading men
of the Union. His previous fame and high
position would have been ecipsed by the
new lustre that would have surrounded him
as patriot q statesman, and a soldier of
hi 5 country.