John B. Grayson
Encyclopedia
John Breckinridge Grayson (October 18, 1806 – October 21, 1861) was a career United States Army
officer and a graduate of West Point
. He is well known for being a Confederate
brigadier general during the American Civil War
, his service during the Mexican-American War, and for his early death only three months after joining the Confederate Army of pneumonia
and tuberculosis
.
estate of "Cabell's Dale". After his father's death when he was around ten John's mother married Peter Buell Porter
. Grayson was appointed to West Point through his ties to three very powerful families the Breckinridges, Graysons, and Porters. He graduated in 1826 and became a second lieutenant in the artillery. He was first assigned to Fort Monroe
where he remained for six years. He then served in a variety of southern forts from 1832 to 1835. In 1835 the Second Seminole War
broke out in Florida. John fought at Camp Izard and then at the Battle of Oloklikaha. After the Seminole War Grayson was assigned to New Orleans for eleven years. In 1847 Grayson left to fight in the Mexican-American War where he arrived as a captain of the artillery. John later became the Chief Commissariat of Major General Winfield Scott
. Grayson fought in many battles in Mexico including the Siege of Veracruz
, Battles of Cerro Gordo
, Contreras
, Churubusco
, Molino del Rey
, Chapultepec
, and the capture of Mexico City
. He became a major for his bravery at the battles of Contreras and Churubusco in 1847. Later that year Grayson was promoted to lieutenant-colonel because of his actions at the Battle of Chapultepec
. After the war John Grayson was assigned to Detroit, Michigan where he became the Chief of Commissariat for seven years from 1848 to 1855. He would hold this same in New Mexico until he resigned to join the Confederate Army.
in August 1861. Because of his long service and military skills Grayson was quickly appointed a Brigadier General in the Confederate Army. He then immediately became commander of the East and Middle Departments of Florida. Soon after arriving though Grayson caught both pneumonia
and tuberculosis
. He died soon after on October 21, 1861 in Tallahassee, Florida
, not having fought a single battle during the Civil War
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer and a graduate of West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
. He is well known for being a Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
brigadier general during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, his service during the Mexican-American War, and for his early death only three months after joining the Confederate Army of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
.
Early life and career
John Grayson was born in Kentucky in 1806 to Alfred W. Grayson and Letitia Breckinridge at the Breckinridge familyBreckinridge family
The Breckinridge family is a family of politicians and public figures from the United States. The family has included six members of the United States House of Representatives, two United States Senators, a cabinet member, two Ambassadors, a Vice President of United States and an unsuccessful...
estate of "Cabell's Dale". After his father's death when he was around ten John's mother married Peter Buell Porter
Peter Buell Porter
Peter Buell Porter was an American lawyer, soldier and politician who served as United States Secretary of War from 1828 to 1829.-Life:...
. Grayson was appointed to West Point through his ties to three very powerful families the Breckinridges, Graysons, and Porters. He graduated in 1826 and became a second lieutenant in the artillery. He was first assigned to Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe was a military installation in Hampton, Virginia—at Old Point Comfort, the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula...
where he remained for six years. He then served in a variety of southern forts from 1832 to 1835. In 1835 the Second Seminole War
Second Seminole War
The Second Seminole War, also known as the Florida War, was a conflict from 1835 to 1842 in Florida between various groups of Native Americans collectively known as Seminoles and the United States, part of a series of conflicts called the Seminole Wars...
broke out in Florida. John fought at Camp Izard and then at the Battle of Oloklikaha. After the Seminole War Grayson was assigned to New Orleans for eleven years. In 1847 Grayson left to fight in the Mexican-American War where he arrived as a captain of the artillery. John later became the Chief Commissariat of Major General Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852....
. Grayson fought in many battles in Mexico including the Siege of Veracruz
Siege of Veracruz
The Battle of Veracruz was a 20-day siege of the key Mexican beachhead seaport of Veracruz, during the Mexican-American War. Lasting from 9-29 March 1847, it began with the first large-scale amphibious assault conducted by United States military forces, and ended with the surrender and occupation...
, Battles of Cerro Gordo
Battle of Cerro Gordo
The Battle of Cerro Gordo, or Battle of Sierra Gordo, in the Mexican-American War saw Winfield Scott's United States troops flank and drive Santa Anna's larger Mexican army from a strong defensive position.-Battle:...
, Contreras
Battle of Contreras
The Battle of Contreras, also known as the Battle of Padierna, took place during August 19–20, 1847, in the final encounters of the Mexican-American War. In the Battle of Churubusco, fighting continued the following day.-Background:...
, Churubusco
Battle of Churubusco
The Battle of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Contreras during the Mexican-American War. After defeating the Mexican army at Churubusco, the U.S. Army was only 5 miles away from Mexico City, the capital of the nation...
, Molino del Rey
Battle of Molino del Rey
The Battle of Molino del Rey was one of the bloodiest engagements of the Mexican-American War. It was fought in September 1847 between Mexican forces under General Antonio Léon against an American force under General Winfield Scott at a hill called El Molino del Rey near Mexico City.-Background:On...
, Chapultepec
Battle of Chapultepec
The Battle of Chapultepec, in September 1847, was a United States victory over Mexican forces holding Chapultepec Castle west of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War.-Background:On September 13, 1847, in the costly Battle of Molino del Rey, U.S...
, and the capture of Mexico City
Battle for Mexico City
The Battle for Mexico City refers to the series of engagements from September 8 to September 15, 1847, in the general vicinity of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War...
. He became a major for his bravery at the battles of Contreras and Churubusco in 1847. Later that year Grayson was promoted to lieutenant-colonel because of his actions at the Battle of Chapultepec
Battle of Chapultepec
The Battle of Chapultepec, in September 1847, was a United States victory over Mexican forces holding Chapultepec Castle west of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War.-Background:On September 13, 1847, in the costly Battle of Molino del Rey, U.S...
. After the war John Grayson was assigned to Detroit, Michigan where he became the Chief of Commissariat for seven years from 1848 to 1855. He would hold this same in New Mexico until he resigned to join the Confederate Army.
Civil War service
After resigning his commission John joined the ConfederacyConfederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
in August 1861. Because of his long service and military skills Grayson was quickly appointed a Brigadier General in the Confederate Army. He then immediately became commander of the East and Middle Departments of Florida. Soon after arriving though Grayson caught both pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. He died soon after on October 21, 1861 in Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
, not having fought a single battle during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Notable family
- Secretary of State Peter B. PorterPeter Buell PorterPeter Buell Porter was an American lawyer, soldier and politician who served as United States Secretary of War from 1828 to 1829.-Life:...
, Step-Father - Colonel Peter A. PorterPeter A. Porter (colonel)Peter Augustus Porter was a Union Army colonel in the American Civil War. He died in the Battle of Cold Harbor.-Early life:...
, Half-Brother - Attorney General John Breckinridge, Grandfather
- Senator William GraysonWilliam GraysonWilliam Grayson was a soldier, lawyer, and statesman from Virginia. He was one of the first two U.S. Senators from Virginia, and belonged to the Anti-Federalist faction.-Biography:...
, Grandfather - Vice President and Confederate General John C. BreckinridgeJohn C. BreckinridgeJohn Cabell Breckinridge was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Kentucky and was the 14th Vice President of the United States , to date the youngest vice president in U.S...
, 1st Cousin