John C Breckinridge

  • American

The only vice president ever to take up arms against the government of the United States, John Cabell Breckinridge completed four years as vice president under James Buchanan, ran for president as the Southern Democratic candidate in 1860, and then returned to the Senate to lead the remnants of the Democratic party for the first congressional session during the Civil War. Although his cousin Mary Todd Lincoln resided in the White House and his home state of Kentucky remained in the Union, Breckinridge chose to volunteer his services to the Confederate army. The United States Senate formally expelled him as a traitor. When the Confederates were defeated, Breckinridge's personal secession forced him into exile abroad, bringing his promising political career to a bitter end. - US Senate Historical Office

Lineage

Timeline

Y/M/D Description Association Composition Place Locale Food Event
Y/M/D Description Association Composition Place Locale Food Event
1821/01/16 John Cabell Breckinridge is born at Cabell's Dale, the Breckinridge family estate near Lexington, Kentucky Born
1852/00/00 Late 1852, Congressman Breckinridge lives at the Petersen House. Home Petersen House Washington, DC
1861/02/13 Vice President Breckinridge, presiding over the joint session of Congress that counted the electoral votes, announces that Abraham Lincoln has been elected President of the United States, defeating VP John C Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen Douglas. US Vice President United States Capitol Washington, DC Election of President Abraham Lincoln
1861/12/04 The United States Senate expels John C Breckinridge of Kentucky after he joins the Confederate Army as a brigadier general. Confederate Commander US Senate Chamber United States Capitol
1864/05/15 Confederate army troops, including cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), led by John C Breckinridge battle Union forces led by Major General Franz Sigel in the Shenandoah Valley Confederate Commander New Market Battlefield Park New Market Battle of New Market
1864/07/11 Jubal Early's 4,000 cavalry and artillerymen harass the Federal line for miles in either direction. 10,000 infantrymen and 40 cannon, and his skirmishers forced the Federal pickets back into the fortifications. Confederate Commander Fort Stevens Washington, DC Battle of Fort Stevens
1865/05/26 The Grand Jury of the District indicts JOHN C BRECKINRIDGE for high treason. The overt act was the raid in July last within DC, killing citizens and destroying property. BKECKINRIDGE being present in person and JEFF DAVIS constructively. CSA Secretary of War Lewis F Powell Jr US Courthouse Richmond Battle of Fort Stevens
1875/00/00 Funeral for John Cabell Breckinridge In Memoriam First Presbyterian Church Lexington, KY
1887/00/00 John C Breckinridge Memorial is installed. In Memoriam John C Breckinridge Memorial Lexington Cemetery and Henry Clay Monument
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