Breckinridge; Statesman Soldier Symbol

Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1974. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Hardcover. Very good/Good. xxii, 687, [3] pages. Frontis illustrations. Abbreviations Used in Footnotes. Footnotes. Illustrations. Bibliography. Index. DJ is price clipped. DJ has some wear, soiling, edge tears and chips. Some wear and soiling at rear endpaper. This is one of the Southern Biography Series. This work was the winner of the Jules F. Landry Award for 1973. Embossed initials on title page. Historian William C. Davis sheds light on Breckinridge's life throughout three key periods, spanning his career as a celebrated statesman, heroic soldier, and proponent of the reconciliation. Davis was a long-time editor of Civil War Times Illustrated as well as a noted author of numerous articles and books. John Cabell Breckinridge (January 16, 1821 - May 17, 1875) was an American lawyer, politician, and soldier. He represented Kentucky in both houses of Congress and became the 14th and youngest-ever Vice President of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. He was a member of the Democratic party. He served in the U.S. Senate during the outbreak of the American Civil War, but was expelled after joining the Confederate Army. He was appointed Confederate Secretary of War in 1865. In February 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis appointed him Secretary of War. Concluding that the war was hopeless, he urged Davis to arrange a national surrender. After the fall of Richmond, Breckinridge ensured the preservation of Confederate records. He then escaped the country and lived abroad for more than three years. When President Andrew Johnson extended amnesty to all former Confederates in 1868, Breckinridge returned to Kentucky.