Joseph Holt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Holt
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Judge Advocate General of the United States Army | |
| In office September 3, 1862 – December 1, 1875 |
|
| President | Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant |
| Preceded by | John F. Lee |
| Succeeded by | William Dunn |
| 25th United States Secretary of War | |
| In office January 18, 1861 – March 5, 1861 |
|
| President | James Buchanan |
| Preceded by | John B. Floyd |
| Succeeded by | Simon Cameron |
| 18th United States Postmaster General | |
| In office March 9, 1859 – December 31, 1860 |
|
| President | James Buchanan |
| Preceded by | Aaron V. Brown |
| Succeeded by | Horatio King |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 6, 1807 Breckinridge County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | August 1, 1894 (aged 87) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | Mary Harrison Margaret Wickliffe |
| Education | Centre College |
| Signature | .png) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army (Union Army) |
| Years of service | 1862-1875 |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Commands | Judge Advocate General's Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Joseph Holt (January 6, 1807 – August 1, 1894) was an important American lawyer, soldier, and politician. He played a key role during the American Civil War. He helped convince President James Buchanan to oppose the Southern states leaving the Union. Holt also worked hard to keep his home state of Kentucky loyal to the Union. Later, President Abraham Lincoln chose him to be the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army. In this role, he was in charge of military law. He is most famous for leading the trials after Lincoln's assassination.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Joseph Holt was born in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, on January 6, 1807. He went to college at St. Joseph's College and Centre College. After finishing school, he became a lawyer in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
He married Mary Harrison and moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1832. There, he worked as an editor for a newspaper and as a prosecutor. Later, he moved to Mississippi and continued to practice law. Sadly, his wife Mary died from tuberculosis. Joseph returned to Louisville to get better.
Working for President Buchanan
After his first wife passed away, Joseph Holt married Margaret Wickliffe. In 1857, President James Buchanan appointed Holt to be the Commissioner of Patents. This meant he moved to Washington, D.C..
In 1859, President Buchanan made him the United States Postmaster General. This job involved overseeing the country's mail system. As the country faced the possibility of civil war, many government officials resigned. But Holt strongly believed in keeping the United States together. He was also against slavery.
In 1861, Holt became the United States Secretary of War. He and another official, Edwin M. Stanton, convinced President Buchanan to speak out against states leaving the Union. When Lincoln became president, Holt went back to Kentucky. He worked hard to make sure Kentucky stayed with the Union, which it did.
Serving as Judge Advocate General
In 1862, Joseph Holt joined the United States Army as a colonel. President Abraham Lincoln then appointed him as the Judge Advocate General of the Union Army. This important job meant he was the chief legal officer for the army. He helped make sure military laws were followed.
Holt believed that slavery needed to end forever to prevent future conflicts. He worked to expand military law to include trials for civilians who were not in the army. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1864. This made him the first Judge Advocate General to hold such a high rank.
President Lincoln offered Holt other important jobs, like Secretary of the Interior and Attorney General. But Holt turned them down. He wanted to continue his work as Judge Advocate General. He was also considered to be the Vice President in 1864, but Andrew Johnson was chosen instead.
Holt took strong actions to support the Union during the war. He worked to stop people who encouraged soldiers to leave the army. He also helped arrest and try a Congressman who spoke out against the Union.
The Lincoln Assassination Trials
On April 14, 1865, President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Other government leaders were also attacked. As Judge Advocate General, Joseph Holt became the main prosecutor in the trial of those accused of helping Booth.
Holt worked with two assistant prosecutors, John Bingham and Henry Lawrence Burnett. The trial began on May 10, 1865. Eight people were accused of being involved in the plot. Holt and his team explained that there were two plans. The first plan was to kidnap Lincoln. The second, and more serious, plan was to kill Lincoln, Vice President Johnson, and Secretary of State William H. Seward.
On June 29, 1865, all eight people were found guilty of being part of the conspiracy. Four of them were sentenced to be executed, and the others received prison sentences. They were executed on July 7, 1865.
The trial was very public and caused some controversy. This made it harder for Holt to continue his political career. He later wrote a pamphlet to defend his actions during the trial.
Later Life
Joseph Holt continued to serve as Judge Advocate General until he retired on December 1, 1875. He lived a quiet life after retirement. He passed away in Washington, D.C., on August 1, 1894. He is buried in his family cemetery in Kentucky. Several places are named after him, including Holt County, Nebraska, Holtsville, New York, and Holt, Michigan.
Images for kids
-
Joseph Holt's signature.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Holt para niños
