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Major-Generals and brigadier-generals, Pro-Visional army of the Confederate States, Accredited to Kentucky.
Major-General John Cabell Breckinridge was born near
Lexington, Ky., in January, 1821, and was educated for the profession of law, which he practiced at
Lexington.
He was major of the Third regiment Kentucky volunteers in the
Mexican war, and then began in the legislature of 1849 an illustrious political career.
In 1851 he was elected to Congress from the Ashland district, and re-elected in 1853.
He declined the mission to
Spain offered by
President Pierce and retired from public life; but in 1856 he was chosen
Vice-President of the
United States, and before the expiration of his term the
Kentucky legislature elected him to the Senate for six years from March 4, 1861.
He was the choice of the
Southern States for
President in 1860, and received the main part of the electoral vote of his party in the
United States.
On October 8, 1861, he issued an address from
Bowling Green resigning his senatorship and proclaiming his devotion to the
Southern cause.
He was commissioned brigadier-general November 2, 1861, and given a brigade at
Bowling Green.
At
Shiloh he distinguished himself in command of the Reserve corps, taking an active part in the battle and covering the subsequent retreat.
Having been promoted major-general April 14, 1862, he was ordered with his division to
Vicksburg in June.
He defeated the enemy at
Baton Rouge, took possession of
Port Hudson, marched to the relief of
Bragg, and took a conspicuous part in the
battle of Murfreesboro.
