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| {{short description|U.S. Army and Confederate Army officer (1812-1880)}} | {{short description|U.S. Army and Confederate Army officer (1812-1880)}} | ||
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| ==Early life and antebellum career== | ==Early life and antebellum career== | ||
| Crittenden was born in ], on March 20, 1812. He was brother to ],<ref name="tsha">{{cite web |last1=Cutrer |first1=Thomas W. |title=Crittenden, George Bibb (1812–1880) |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/crittenden-george-bibb |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |access-date=15 January 2025 |date=December 1, 1994}}</ref> who was an influential politican who was ] in the late 1840s and early 1850s, was the ] in the administrations of Presidents ] and ], and a ].{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=69}} The younger Crittenden spent his youth in ], and was sent to a ] in ], in 1824. Crittenden was admitted to the ] in 1828, and graduated four years later |
Crittenden was born in ], on March 20, 1812. He was brother to ],{{sfn|Warner|2006|p=65}} and his father was ],<ref name="tsha">{{cite web |last1=Cutrer |first1=Thomas W. |title=Crittenden, George Bibb (1812–1880) |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/crittenden-george-bibb |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |access-date=15 January 2025 |date=December 1, 1994}}</ref> who was an influential politican who was ] in the late 1840s and early 1850s, was the ] in the administrations of Presidents ] and ], and a ].{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=69}} The younger Crittenden spent his youth in ], and was sent to a ] in ], in 1824. Crittenden was admitted to the ] in 1828, and graduated four years later,{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=69}} the 26th-ranked out of 45 cadets.{{sfn|Eubank|2009|p=9}} His appointment was secured by his father.<ref name="nps">{{cite web |title=George Bibb Crittenden and the Battle of Mill Springs |url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/george-bibb-crittenden-at-the-battle-of-mill-springs.htm |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=15 January 2025 |date=October 17, 2023}}</ref> Serving in the ], he saw service in the ] and was stationed for a time in the ]. He reached a ] rank of ].{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=69}} On April 30, 1833, he resigned from the military and enrolled in ], to study law.<ref name="tsha" /> He received a ] from the university later in the year, and began a legal practice.{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=69}} In 1836, he commanded a company in the Kentucky militia.{{sfn|Eubank|2009|p=9}} By the end of the decade, Crittenden had developed a serious drinking problem.{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=69}} | ||
| Crittenden later moved to the ], without informing his father.{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=69}} Joining the ], Crittenden participated as a second lieutenant in the 1842 ],<ref name="tsha" /> an incursion by Texian troops into Mexico that had been made without orders. The Texians were forced to surrender after being defeated in battle at ]. |
Crittenden later moved to the ], without informing his father.{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=69}} Joining the ], Crittenden participated as a second lieutenant in the 1842 ],<ref name="tsha" /> an incursion by Texian troops into Mexico that had been made without orders. The Texians were forced to surrender after being defeated in battle at ] in December 1842.{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=69}} By January 1843, Crittenden had become too ill to travel and entered a Mexican hospital.<ref name="tsha" /> In March, the Texian prisoners were informed that one out of every ten of them would be executed,{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=70}} after an escape attempt had been in made. In what is known as the Black Bean Episode, Mexican ] Domingo Huerta had a jar filled with 176 beans - one for each prisoner. Of the beans, seventeen were black, and the others white. Those who drew a black bean were to be executed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Black Bean Episode |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/black-bean-episode |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |access-date=15 January 2025 |date=November 15, 2024}}</ref> Crittenden was one of the survivors,<ref name="nps" /> and a story later spread that he had originally drawn a white bean, had given it to another Texian who had a family back home, and had then drawn a white bean again on the second try. Crittenden's father used his influence to produce pressure for his son's release, and ] provided critical assistance.{{efn|The historian Thomas Cutrer writes that Jackson had become involved in February.<ref name="tsha" />}} Crittenden was returned to ], via ] and ], arriving back in the United States on May 7, 1843.{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=70}} | ||
| Crittenden made his way back to Kentucky; biographer James M. Pritchard speculates that he resumed his legal career. When the ] began, Crittenden rejoined the army. He was appointed a ] on May 27, 1846, and served under ] ] in the ]. Crittenden was arrested for drunkenness, and after traveling to ] to plead with the ] after tendering a resignation. Having been restored for duty, Crittenden fought in ]'s army in 1847, during its campaign against ]. Due to his actions at the ] and the ], Crittenden was awarded a brevet promotion to major on August 20. In early 1848, he was arrested for drunkenness again, but his father was influential enough that Crittenden was able to continue his military career. A full promotion followed on March 15, 1848, but this was followed by another arrest for drunkenness. Following a ], Crittenden was ] from the military on August 19.{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=70}} | |||
| He rejoined the ] in 1846 and fought with the ] in the ]. He was given a ] promotion to ] for gallantry at ] and ] in 1847 and a permanent promotion to major in the ] in 1848. However, on August 19, 1848, he was discharged from the Army, but reinstated in March 1849. He eventually reached the permanent rank of ] in 1856. | |||
| Crittenden's father used his influence on behalf of his son, interceding with the Secretary of War and with family friend ].{{sfn|Eubank|2009|p=11}} The younger Crittenden was restored to duty on March 15, 1849.{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=70}} Additional personality problems had surfaced during the Mexican War; Crittenden nearly participated in a duel, although the confrontation was defused by others.{{sfn|Eubank|2009|p=12}} After a stay at ]'s ], Crittenden traveled across the country to the ] in 1849 with the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. The regiment was stationed at the ] for awhile before returning to Jefferson Barracks in 1851. Rumors of excessive drinking surfaced again, and his father suggested that he should resign from the military. The younger Crittenden promised to to improve his behavior, and after an 1852 transfer to the frontier, he served honorably.{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|p=70}} In 1856, ], the ], gave Crittenden a bottle of alcohol, but was told by Crittenden that he no longer drank.{{sfn|Eubank|2009|pp=12–13}} Promoted to ] on December 30, 1856, Crittenden was the post commander at ] from late 1860 to early 1861. While serving on the frontier, Crittenden fought against Native Americans, including an action against ] on January 2, 1861, that brought him national newspaper attention.{{sfn|Pritchard|2008|pp=70–71}} | |||
| ==American Civil War== | ==American Civil War== | ||
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| ==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| {{ |
{{notelist}} | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{Reflist}} | |||
| ==Sources== | |||
| * Eicher, John H., and ]. ''Civil War High Commands''. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2001. {{ISBN|0-8047-3641-3}}. | * Eicher, John H., and ]. ''Civil War High Commands''. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2001. {{ISBN|0-8047-3641-3}}. | ||
| * |
* {{cite book |last=Eubank |first=Damon R. |title=In the Shadow of the Patriarch: The John J. Crittenden Family in War and Peace |location=Macon, Georgia |publisher=] |date=2009 |isbn=978-0-88146-151-0}} | ||
| * {{cite book |last=Pritchard |first=James M. |date=2008 |editor-last1=Allardice |editor-first1=Bruce S. |editor-last2=Hewitt |editor-first2=Lawrence Lee |title=Kentuckians in Gray: Confederate Generals and Field Officers of the Bluegrass State |chapter=Maj. Gen. George Bibb Crittenden |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |location=Lexington, Kentucky |pages=69–75 |isbn=978-0-8131-2475-9}} | * {{cite book |last=Pritchard |first=James M. |date=2008 |editor-last1=Allardice |editor-first1=Bruce S. |editor-last2=Hewitt |editor-first2=Lawrence Lee |title=Kentuckians in Gray: Confederate Generals and Field Officers of the Bluegrass State |chapter=Maj. Gen. George Bibb Crittenden |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |location=Lexington, Kentucky |pages=69–75 |isbn=978-0-8131-2475-9}} | ||
| * Sifakis, Stewart. ''Who Was Who in the Civil War''. New York: Facts On File, 1988. {{ISBN|978-0-8160-1055-4}}. | * Sifakis, Stewart. ''Who Was Who in the Civil War''. New York: Facts On File, 1988. {{ISBN|978-0-8160-1055-4}}. | ||
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| George B. Crittenden | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1812-03-20)March 20, 1812 Russellville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | November 27, 1880(1880-11-27) (aged 68) Danville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Place of burial | Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Allegiance |  United States of America Republic of Texas Confederate States of America |
| Service | United States Army Army of the Republic of Texas Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1832–1833; 1846–1861 (USA) 1842–1843 (Republic of Texas) 1861–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel (USA) 2nd Lieutenant (Republic of Texas) Major General (CSA) |
| Commands | 2nd Division of the Army of Central Kentucky |
| Battles / wars | Black Hawk War Mexican–American War |
| Other work | State Librarian of Kentucky |
George Bibb Crittenden (March 20, 1812 – November 27, 1880) was a career United States Army officer who served in the Black Hawk War, the Army of the Republic of Texas, and the Mexican–American War, and later resigned his commission to serve as a general in the Confederate States Army in the American Civil War.
Early life and antebellum career
Crittenden was born in Russellville, Kentucky, on March 20, 1812. He was brother to Thomas L. Crittenden, and his father was John J. Crittenden, who was an influential politican who was governor of Kentucky in the late 1840s and early 1850s, was the United States Attorney General in the administrations of Presidents William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor, and a United States Senator. The younger Crittenden spent his youth in Frankfort, Kentucky, and was sent to a boarding school in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1824. Crittenden was admitted to the United States Military Academy in 1828, and graduated four years later, the 26th-ranked out of 45 cadets. His appointment was secured by his father. Serving in the 4th Infantry Regiment, he saw service in the Black Hawk War and was stationed for a time in the Arkansas Territory. He reached a brevet rank of second lieutenant. On April 30, 1833, he resigned from the military and enrolled in Transylvania University, to study law. He received a LL. B. from the university later in the year, and began a legal practice. In 1836, he commanded a company in the Kentucky militia. By the end of the decade, Crittenden had developed a serious drinking problem.
Crittenden later moved to the Republic of Texas, without informing his father. Joining the Army of the Republic of Texas, Crittenden participated as a second lieutenant in the 1842 Mier expedition, an incursion by Texian troops into Mexico that had been made without orders. The Texians were forced to surrender after being defeated in battle at Mier in December 1842. By January 1843, Crittenden had become too ill to travel and entered a Mexican hospital. In March, the Texian prisoners were informed that one out of every ten of them would be executed, after an escape attempt had been in made. In what is known as the Black Bean Episode, Mexican Colonel Domingo Huerta had a jar filled with 176 beans - one for each prisoner. Of the beans, seventeen were black, and the others white. Those who drew a black bean were to be executed. Crittenden was one of the survivors, and a story later spread that he had originally drawn a white bean, had given it to another Texian who had a family back home, and had then drawn a white bean again on the second try. Crittenden's father used his influence to produce pressure for his son's release, and Andrew Jackson provided critical assistance. Crittenden was returned to New Orleans, Louisiana, via Vera Cruz and Havana, arriving back in the United States on May 7, 1843.
Crittenden made his way back to Kentucky; biographer James M. Pritchard speculates that he resumed his legal career. When the Mexican–American War began, Crittenden rejoined the army. He was appointed a captain on May 27, 1846, and served under Major William W. Loring in the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. Crittenden was arrested for drunkenness, and after traveling to Washington, D.C. to plead with the United States Secretary of War after tendering a resignation. Having been restored for duty, Crittenden fought in Winfield Scott's army in 1847, during its campaign against Mexico City. Due to his actions at the Battle of Contreras and the Battle of Churubusco, Crittenden was awarded a brevet promotion to major on August 20. In early 1848, he was arrested for drunkenness again, but his father was influential enough that Crittenden was able to continue his military career. A full promotion followed on March 15, 1848, but this was followed by another arrest for drunkenness. Following a court martial, Crittenden was cashiered from the military on August 19.
Crittenden's father used his influence on behalf of his son, interceding with the Secretary of War and with family friend Jefferson Davis. The younger Crittenden was restored to duty on March 15, 1849. Additional personality problems had surfaced during the Mexican War; Crittenden nearly participated in a duel, although the confrontation was defused by others. After a stay at St. Louis, Missouri's Jefferson Barracks, Crittenden traveled across the country to the Oregon Territory in 1849 with the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. The regiment was stationed at the Columbia Barracks for awhile before returning to Jefferson Barracks in 1851. Rumors of excessive drinking surfaced again, and his father suggested that he should resign from the military. The younger Crittenden promised to to improve his behavior, and after an 1852 transfer to the frontier, he served honorably. In 1856, David Meriwether, the Territorial Governor of New Mexico, gave Crittenden a bottle of alcohol, but was told by Crittenden that he no longer drank. Promoted to lieutenant colonel on December 30, 1856, Crittenden was the post commander at Fort Union from late 1860 to early 1861. While serving on the frontier, Crittenden fought against Native Americans, including an action against Comanches on January 2, 1861, that brought him national newspaper attention.
American Civil War
Just before the start of the Civil War, Crittenden accepted a commission as colonel, in the Confederate States Army infantry on March 16, 1861, although he would not resign his U.S. Army commission until June 10. He was promoted to brigadier general on August 15, 1861, and served briefly as a brigade commander in the Confederate Army of the Potomac in Virginia. He was promoted to major general on November 9, 1861, and commanded the District of East Tennessee. On January 19, 1862, he and Confederate Brig. Gen. Felix Zollicoffer were defeated by Union Brigadier General George H. Thomas at the Battle of Mill Springs, one of the first important Confederate defeats in the war, breaking the Southern hold on eastern Kentucky.
He briefly commanded the 2nd Division of the Army of Central Kentucky in 1862 but was relieved on March 31. He was arrested the next day on charges of drunkenness by the order of Maj. Gen. William J. Hardee and restored on April 18. General Braxton Bragg ordered a court of inquiry in July and Crittenden resigned as a general officer, reverting to colonel in October 1862.
Postbellum career
He served as the state librarian of Kentucky from 1867 to 1871. He died in Danville, Kentucky, and is buried in the State Cemetery, Frankfort, Kentucky.
See also
Notes
- The historian Thomas Cutrer writes that Jackson had become involved in February.
References
- ^ Cutrer, Thomas W. (December 1, 1994). "Crittenden, George Bibb (1812–1880)". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- Warner 2006, p. 65.
- ^ Pritchard 2008, p. 69.
- ^ Eubank 2009, p. 9.
- ^ "George Bibb Crittenden and the Battle of Mill Springs". National Park Service. October 17, 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ^ Pritchard 2008, p. 70.
- "Black Bean Episode". Texas State Historical Association. November 15, 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- Eubank 2009, p. 11.
- Eubank 2009, p. 12.
- Eubank 2009, pp. 12–13.
- Pritchard 2008, pp. 70–71.
- Warner, p. 66.
Sources
- Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher. Civil War High Commands. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
- Eubank, Damon R. (2009). In the Shadow of the Patriarch: The John J. Crittenden Family in War and Peace. Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press. ISBN 978-0-88146-151-0.
- Pritchard, James M. (2008). "Maj. Gen. George Bibb Crittenden". In Allardice, Bruce S.; Hewitt, Lawrence Lee (eds.). Kentuckians in Gray: Confederate Generals and Field Officers of the Bluegrass State. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky. pp. 69–75. ISBN 978-0-8131-2475-9.
- Sifakis, Stewart. Who Was Who in the Civil War. New York: Facts On File, 1988. ISBN 978-0-8160-1055-4.
- Warner, Ezra J. (2006) . Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders (Louisiana Paperback ed.). Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press. ISBN 978-0-8071-3150-3.
External links
Categories:- 1812 births
- 1880 deaths
- People from Russellville, Kentucky
- Crittenden family
- Confederate States Army major generals
- United States Army colonels
- Army of the Republic of Texas officers
- American people of the Black Hawk War
- American military personnel of the Mexican–American War
- United States Military Academy alumni
- People of Kentucky in the American Civil War
- Transylvania University alumni
- People from Danville, Kentucky
- Kentucky lawyers
- Burials at Frankfort Cemetery