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[326] Williamson county, Tenn., June 8, 1806. In 1827 he was graduated at the university of Nashville, after which he commenced the practice of law at Columbia and rapidly rose to prominence. He was a delegate to the National Democratic convention of 1844, and aided largely in securing the nomination of his neighbor, James K. Polk, for the presidency. In July, 1846, he abandoned peaceful pursuits to accept a commission as brigadier-general of Tennessee volunteers in the Mexican war. At first he served with Taylor in northern Mexico, but was transferred to Scott's command at the beginning of the siege of Vera Cruz. In this siege he took an active part, and was appointed one of the American commissioners to receive the surrender of the city. At Cerro Gordo he commanded the right wing, and in the impetuous charge received a severe wound. On April 30, 1847, he was commissioned major-general. He fought with great gallantry at Churubusco, Molino del Rey and Chapultepec, in which last affair he was a second time wounded. A sharp difference between General Scott and himself led to a court-martial, requested by himself. By the decision of this court he was fully acquitted of the charge of insubordination which Scott had brought against him. After the close of the Mexican war he resumed the practice of law, and also engaged in planting. In the great Southern convention held in Nashville in 1850, he took a conservative course and opposed extreme measures. At the beginning of the war for Southern independence he was appointed, by Governor Harris, major-general in the provisional army of Tennessee, in which capacity he aided largely in the organization of the State forces. On July 9, 1861, he was commissioned brigadier-general of the provisional army of the Confederate States. Being assigned to General Polk's department as second in command to that officer, he fought the battle of Belmont successfully against General Grant. At Fort Donelson he was second in command to Brigadier-General Floyd, and
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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