William B. Campbell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William B. Campbell
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Portrait of Campbell by Washington B. Cooper
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| 14th Governor of Tennessee | |
| In office October 16, 1851 – October 17, 1853 |
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| Preceded by | William Trousdale |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Johnson |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 5th district |
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| In office July 24, 1866 – March 3, 1867 |
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| Preceded by | Robert H. Hatton |
| Succeeded by | John Trimble |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 6th district |
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| In office March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1843 |
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| Preceded by | Balie Peyton |
| Succeeded by | Aaron V. Brown |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Bowen Campbell
February 1, 1807 Sumner County, Tennessee |
| Died | August 19, 1867 (aged 60) Lebanon, Tennessee |
| Resting place | Cedar Grove Cemetery (Lebanon, Tennessee) |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Frances Owen |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Tennessee Militia United States Army |
| Years of service | 1836–1837 1846–1847 1862–1863 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands | 1st Regiment Tennessee Volunteers |
| Battles/wars | Second Seminole War Mexican–American War • Monterrey (1846) • Veracruz (1847) • Cerro Gordo (1847) American Civil War |
William Bowen Campbell (born February 1, 1807 – died August 19, 1867) was an important American politician and soldier. He served as the 14th governor of Tennessee from 1851 to 1853. He was the last governor from the Whig Party in Tennessee. Campbell also served four terms in the United States House of Representatives, from 1837 to 1843, and again from 1866 to 1867.
During the Mexican–American War, Campbell led a group of soldiers called the First Regiment Tennessee Volunteers. They were known as the "Bloody First" because many of their soldiers were injured or died in battle. When the American Civil War began, Campbell did not support states leaving the Union. He even served for a short time as a general in the Union Army.
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Early Life and Education
William Campbell was born in Sumner County, Tennessee. His parents were David and Catherine Bowen Campbell. He studied law in Abingdon, Virginia, with his father's cousin, who was Virginia Governor David Campbell. He also attended classes at Winchester Law School.
In 1829, he returned to Tennessee and started his own law practice in Carthage. He became a lawyer in 1830. A year later, in 1831, he was chosen to be the attorney general for a state area. He then moved to Sparta, Tennessee.
Military and Political Journey
In 1835, Campbell moved back to Carthage. He was elected to represent Smith County in the Tennessee House of Representatives. However, he left his position in 1836 to fight in the Second Seminole War. He served as a captain under Colonel William Trousdale.
Serving in Congress
In 1837, Campbell ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He won against William Trousdale, his former commander. They had a lively campaign, but they remained friends. Campbell won reelection in 1839, again defeating Trousdale. In 1841, he ran without anyone opposing him. He resigned in 1843, near the end of his third term, to return to his law practice. That same year, he was made a major-general in the Tennessee militia.
Mexican-American War Hero
When the Mexican-American War started in 1846, Campbell joined the fight. He was chosen as a colonel for the First Regiment Tennessee Volunteers. His regiment arrived in Texas in July 1846.
At the Battle of Monterrey, his soldiers bravely attacked a fort. They lost one-third of their men, which is why they were called the "Bloody First." Campbell's group also fought in the Siege of Veracruz and the Battle of Cerro Gordo in 1847.
Governor of Tennessee
After the war, Campbell became a judge. In 1851, the Whig Party chose him to run for governor. His opponent was William Trousdale, who had won the previous election in 1849. Trousdale supported ideas that could lead to states leaving the Union. Campbell, however, believed in keeping the country united. He called the idea of states leaving the Union "treasonous."
Campbell used his war cry, "Boys, follow me!" from the Battle of Monterrey, as his campaign slogan. He won the election by a small number of votes.
As governor, Campbell asked people to find peaceful ways to solve disagreements between different parts of the country. He wanted to stop the "insane" talk of states leaving the Union. After his term ended in 1853, he did not run again. Instead, he became the president of a bank in Lebanon, Tennessee.
The Civil War and Later Life
After the Whig Party ended in the mid-1850s, Campbell joined the American Party. He continued to speak out against states leaving the Union. In 1860, he supported John Bell for president, who also wanted to keep the country together.
In 1861, many people in Tennessee wanted to leave the Union. Campbell was asked to run for governor against Isham Harris, who supported leaving. But Campbell said no. Governor Harris even offered him a command in the Confederate Army, but Campbell also turned that down.
Union Army General
In 1862, the Union Army took control of Middle Tennessee. President Abraham Lincoln appointed Campbell as a brigadier general in the Union Army. He accepted this role, but he resigned in January 1863. He had some health problems, and he also did not want to fight against his friends and neighbors.
After the war, Campbell joined the Democratic Party. He supported President Andrew Johnson's plans for rebuilding the country. Campbell was elected to the House of Representatives again in 1866. He defended President Johnson during his impeachment hearings in 1867.
Death
William Bowen Campbell died on August 19, 1867, at his family home called Camp Bell. He is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Family Life
William Bowen Campbell married Frances Owen in 1835. They had seven children together: Mary, Margaret, Fanny, William, Joseph, John Owen, and Lemuel.
Honors and Awards
Fort Campbell, Kentucky, a large military base, is named in his honor.
