George B. Crittenden

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Hog Farm (talk | contribs) at 03:51, 19 January 2025 (→American Civil War: save point). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 03:51, 19 January 2025 by Hog Farm (talk | contribs) (→American Civil War: save point)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

This article or section is in a state of significant expansion or restructuring. You are welcome to assist in its construction by editing it as well. If this article or section has not been edited in several days, please remove this template.
If you are the editor who added this template and you are actively editing, please be sure to replace this template with {{in use}} during the active editing session. Click on the link for template parameters to use. This article was last edited by Hog Farm (talk | contribs) 16 hours ago. (Update timer)

U.S. Army and Confederate Army officer (1812-1880)

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (October 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

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 / branch	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 Battle of Contreras Battle of Churubusco American Civil War Battle of Mill Springs
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, education, and move to Texas

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 politician, 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. The American National Biography describes him as "an apt pupil". His mother had died 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. After receiving a Bachelor of Laws, he started a law practice that same year. 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, by writing a letter to Santa Anna. Having been released in April 1843, Crittenden was returned to New Orleans, Louisiana, via Vera Cruz and Havana, arriving back in the United States on May 7.

United States military service

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, family friend Jefferson Davis, and Thomas Hart Benton (who had served in the Senate with the elder Crittenden). 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 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. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on December 30, 1856. Due to his influential connections, Crittenden received a leave of absence in 1859, which he used to travel in Europe. 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. Damon R. Eubank, the writer of a work about the Crittenden family, writes that John J. Crittenden's frequest interventions in his son's career prevented the younger Crittenden from learning from the issues that created the problems. According to Eubank, George Crittenden "did not have a strong sense of duty", had a tendency to make bad decisions about who to befriend, and could be easily convinced to make bad decisions. Eubank suggests that some of these personality issues could have stemmed from the death of his mother during his adolescence, and from pressure from his father to fulfill his role as the family's firstborn son.

American Civil War

War begins

In the 1860 United States presidential election, a split in the Democratic Party assisted the victory of Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party. Southern political leaders known as Fire-Eaters expressed fears that the incoming Republican administration would restrict slavery. Support for secession grew in the South. John J. Crittenden, who had developed a reputation during his decades of public service for assisting in compromises, submitted a group of constitutional amended in December 1860 known as the Crittenden Compromise. This compromise would have added constitutional protection for slavery south of the parallel 36°30′ north, protected slavery in states where it currently existed, prohibited slavery in territories north of the 36°30′ parallel, prevented the United States Congress from interfering with the interstate slave trade, and provided compensation for slaveowners who had been prevented from recovering fugitive slaves, among other provisions. The United States Senate did not approve the compromise. The state of South Carolina seceded in December, with six other southern states following in early 1861. The seceding states formed the Confederate States of America in February.

On the morning of April 12, Confederate military forces opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor; the American Civil War had begun. Four more states soon joined the Confederacy; Kentucky remained on the fence. George had incorrectly expected his father to support the Confederacy. John J. Crittenden asked George to "be true to the government that has trusted in you. And stand fast by your national Flag", but George resigned from the United States Army on June 10. He was appointed a colonel in the Confederate service, and was promoted to brigadier general on August 15. Six days later, he was assigned to the Confederate Army of the Potomac in Virginia, where he led a brigade. Davis, a friend of the Crittenden family, was now the Confederate president. In late October, Davis sent a letter to Crittenden stating that he was considering appointing him to command a Confederate force to claim Kentucky for the Confederacy.

Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky

On November 9, Crittenden was promoted to Major General and was assigned to command the Eastern District of Kentucky. Crittenden's command was the eastern end of the region commanded by Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston, which extended west to Missouri and the Indian Territory. Crittenden superseded Brigadier General Felix Zollicoffer, a Tennessee politician and newspaper editor who had been originally made a general with political considerations in mind. Davis appointed Crittenden, expecting that the Kentuckian would be popular with the residents of his home state and wanting a more experienced officer than Zollicoffer in command. Johnston defined Crittenden's command as encompassing eastern Tennessee and the portions of Kentucky that Crittenden's army could occupy. The population of east Tennessee was largely opposed to the Confederacy, creating a volatile political situation. Davis was not comfortable with Crittenden's ability to handle the political situation, or Crittenden's early efforts to resolve the matter. One of his political missteps involved Unionist newspaper editor William G. Brownlow. Crittenden attempted to encourage Brownlow to leave the Confederacy, offering him a pass through the lines. When Brownlow did not appear at the appointed time, he was arrested.

Crittenden set up his headquarters at Knoxville, Tennessee, on December 1, but was ordered to Richmond, Virginia, on December 8, for a conference with the Confederate government. This meeting resulted in orders for Crittenden to command Zollicoffer's troops, but not to exercise command in east Tennessee except explicitly ordered to do so by Johnston. Northeastern Kentucky was also clawed from Crittenden's command in favor of Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall. Crittenden's command now consisted of Zollicoffer's troops and another brigade commanded by William Carroll. Meanwhile, Zollicoffer had advanced his troops from the Cumberland Gap to Mill Springs, Kentucky, a position on the south side of the Cumberland River with defensive advantages. However, the Tennessean soon decided to move across the river with his men. The inexperienced Zollicoffer thought that having his troops in a bend of a river with the river to his back would protect the flanks and rear of his command, but instead the position was a trap. While the Cumberland River could not be forded at Zollicoffer's position, it could be elsewhere. This created a situation where Union troops could cross the river and get around the Confederate position, and retreat over the river would be difficult and likely to result in a disastrous situation where his men were attacked in the process of the crossing.

Zollicoffer had informed Johnston that he intended to cross the river by sending a letter on November 30; Johnston received this message on December 4. Zollicoffer did not learn that Crittenden had been made his superior officer until December 10, by which time Crittenden had left for Richmond. By the time Zollicoffer learned that Crittenden had gone to Richmond, Crittenden was back in Knoxville. After Crittenden's return from Richmond, he ordered Zollicoffer back across the river, but the latter officer considered this impossible and did not comply with the order. Communication between the two officers was hampered by Crittenden remaining in Knoxville; the historian Steven E. Woodworth writes that Crittenden "could and should" have traveled to Zollicoffer's position to observe the situation in person. Woodworth attributes part of the failure to get Zollicoffer's troops back to a more tenable position to Crittenden's recall to Richmond, but criticizes Crittenden's handling of the situation, writing that Crittenden "ought to have known of the movement in advance and prevented it", stating that results were "a severe indictment of Crittenden's generalship". Johnston's command style gave both Crittenden and Zollicoffer discretion. Eubank believes that the situation could possibly have been salvaged if Crittenden had journeyed to Kentucky in mid-December.

Mill Springs and retreat

Crittenden finally joined Zollicoffer in person in early January, and on January 6 issued a statement to the civilian population of Kentucky which included the appeal "Will you join in the moving columns of the South or is the spirit of Kentucky dead?". He was surprised to find Zollicoffer still north of the Cumberland River. Carroll's brigade arrived later in the month. By January 18, Union forces commanded by Brigadier General George Thomas were at Logan's Cross Roads, nearing the Confederate camp. Another Union column, under the command of Brigadier General Albin Schoepf, was intending to join Thomas's troops, but was several miles away at Somerset and was separated from Thomas by a flooded creek. Outnumbered by the combined Union force, Crittenden decided to attack while his opponents were still separated and sent his troops on a night march to attack Thomas on the morning of January 19. Crittenden's men were poorly trained and badly armed; the weather during the march and battle was rainy and the antiquated flintlock muskets many of the Confederates were armed with could not be fired when wet. Zollicoffer was killed early in the battle when he mistakenly rode up to the Union line. The battle was a Confederate defeat, and Crittenden's men fled from the field. The battle broke the right flank of Johnston's defensive line.

The panicked Confederate troops abandoned their wounded comrades and all of their artillery when they crossed the Cumberland River in retreat. Crittenden's retreat continued all the way to Chestnut Mound, Tennessee, about 50 miles (80 km) from Nashville. Pritchard describes the state of Crittenden's army when it reached Tennessee as "nothing more than an armed mob". Rumors spread that Crittenden had been drunk during the battle, and Woodworth considers them to possibly have been true. Further charges of treason and "constant inebriation" spread. Woodworth summarizes the character traits shown by Crittenden during the campaign as "irresponsible, lazy, alcoholic". The deceased Zollicoffer was not blamed for the defeat, while even Union newspapers ridiculed Crittenden. Crittenden's father believed that his son had been "deluded" by those around him. Davis believed Crittenden to be innocent of the charges against him, but authorized Johnston to conduct an investigation. His troops did not want to remain under his command, and due to the morale issues, Crittenden's command was disbanded and the troops moved to other units.

In February, Crittenden requested that a court of inquiry be opened about his conduct. Crittenden was at first ordered to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to command a division, but Johnston then concentrated his forces at Corinth, Mississippi. Crittenden was placed in command of the reserve corps of Johnston's army, but while stationed with his corps at Iuka, Mississippi, was caught with Carroll in a state of inebriation. At the time, Crittenden's troops were reported to have been "in a wretched state of discipline". Crittenden was arrested on April 1, and was removed from command. Ten days later, he submitted a resignation and requested to be placed on leave, but his resignation was not accepted. On July 24, a court of inquiry was opened into Crittenden's conduct. When the inquiry was completed, the court recommended that Crittenden be court martialed. The court martial was conducted by Major General William J. Hardee. Crittenden's defense was that a technicality made the court martial illegal. Confederate Adjutant General Samuel Cooper decided that since Crittenden was not chosing to actively defend himself against the charges, he should be allowed to resign. Crittenden believed that this finding would appear to be an admission of guilt on his part, and he protested to Davis. Davis ordered the offending phrases removed from the report, and Crittenden was allowed to resign. Crittenden resigned on October 23.

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.

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.
^ Nelson 1999, p. 739.
Eubank 2009, p. 2.
^ 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.
Friend 1965, p. 372.
Eubank 2009, p. 11.
Eubank 2009, p. 12.
Eubank 2009, pp. 12–13.
Eubank 2009, p. 13.
Pritchard 2008, pp. 70–71.
Eubank 2009, pp. 13–14.
Bearss 2007, p. 22.
"The Crittenden Compromise". United States Senate. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
McPherson 1988, pp. 252–254.
Bearss 2007, pp. 22–23.
Bearss 2007, pp. 28–29.
Bearss 2007, pp. 33–34.
Eubank 2009, p. 35.
^ Pritchard 2008, p. 71.
Woodworth 1990, pp. 51, 61.
Woodworth 1990, pp. 61–63.
Woodworth 1990, pp. 63–65.
^ Eubank 2009, p. 60.
Woodworth 1990, p. 64, 66.
Woodworth 1990, p. 64–65.
Pritchard 2008, pp. 71–72.
Woodworth 1990, pp. 65–66.
Woodworth 1990, pp. 66–67.
Eubank 2009, p. 59.
^ Pritchard 2008, p. 72.
Eubank 2009, p. 61.
Woodworth 1990, p. 67.
Woodworth 1990, pp. 67–68.
Woodworth 1990, p. 125.
^ Woodworth 1990, p. 68.
Eubank 2009, pp. 64–65.
Woodworth 1990, pp. 68–69.
^ Woodworth 1990, p. 69.
Pritchard 2008, pp. 72–73.
Eubank 2009, p. 67.
^ Pritchard 2008, p. 73.

Sources

Bearss, Edwin C. (2007) . Fields of Honor. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic. ISBN 978-1-4262-0093-9.
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.
Friend, Llerena B., ed. (1965). "Sidelights and Supplements on the Perote Prisoners". The Southwestern Historical Quarterly. 68 (3): 366–374.
McPherson, James M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-503863-0.
Nelson, Paul David (1999). "Crittenden, George Bibb". In Garraty, John A.; Carnes, Mark C. (eds.). American National Biography. Vol. 5. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 739–740. ISBN 0-19-512784-6.
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.
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.
Woodworth, Steven E. (1990). Jefferson Davis and His Generals: The Failure of Confederate Command in the West. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas. ISBN 0-7006-0567-3.

External links

George B. Crittenden at Find a Grave

Categories:

Misplaced Pages