William Trousdale | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 13th Governor of Tennessee | |
| In office October 16, 1849 – October 16, 1851 | |
| Preceded by | Neill S. Brown |
| Succeeded by | William B. Campbell |
| United States Minister to Brazil | |
| In office October 8, 1853 – December 5, 1857 | |
| President | Franklin Pierce James Buchanan |
| Preceded by | Robert C. Schenck |
| Succeeded by | Richard K. Meade |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1790-09-23)September 23, 1790 Orange County, North Carolina, United States |
| Died | March 27, 1872(1872-03-27) (aged 81) Gallatin, Tennessee, United States |
| Resting place | Gallatin City Cemetery |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Relations | John Stockard (cousin) |
| Children | 7 |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Tennesseemilitia United States Army |
| Years of service | 1812–1813, 1814–1815, 1836–1837, 1847–1848 |
| Rank |  Colonel Bvt.Brigadier General |
| Commands | 2nd Tennessee Mounted Volunteers 14th U.S. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | |
William Trousdale (September 23, 1790 – March 27, 1872) was an American soldier andpolitician. He served as the 13thgovernor of Tennessee from 1849 to 1851, and wasUnited States Minister to Brazil from 1853 to 1857. He fought underAndrew Jackson in theCreek War, theWar of 1812 and theSecond Seminole War, and commanded the U.S. Fourteenth Infantry in theMexican–American War.[1] His military exploits earned him the nickname, "War Horse of Sumner County."[2]
Trousdale was born inOrange County, North Carolina, the son of James and Elizabeth (Dobbins) Trousdale. His father was ofScots-Irish descent, and had served in theContinental Army during theAmerican Revolution. Captain James Trousdale was given a land grant as payment for services in the Revolution, and used this grant to acquire several hundred acres inSumner County, Tennessee.[3] The family moved to this plot in 1796. In 1801, the family donated part of their land for the establishment of a new county seat for Sumner County, which was namedGallatin.[4] Trousdale attended public schools and studied under a tutor, the Reverend Gideon Blackburn.[3]
Trousdale joined Captain William Edwards's Mounted Riflemen in 1812.[1] When this company was called into service during the Creek War the following year, Trousdale was elected Lieutenant.[3] The company saw action at theBattle of Tallushatchee and theBattle of Talladega before returning home.[3]
In the Summer of 1814, after Trousdale had been at home for just a few months, he joined a militia company formed by Lieutenant-Colonel George Elliott.[1][3] This company joined Jackson's invasion of Florida later that year. At theBattle of Pensacola in November 1814, Trousdale took part in a charge that captured several cannons on the first day of fighting. He volunteered to be among the first wave of soldiers to assaultFort San Miguel, but the fort surrendered before the assault took place.[3]
Following the capture of Pensacola, Trousdale's unit hurried westward with Jackson's forces to defendNew Orleans from an impending British invasion. They arrived in the city in December 1814, and Trousdale took part in a series of firefights and night skirmishes against the British on December 23, December 27, and January 1. He fought in the decisiveBattle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.[3]
After the war, Trousdale returned home and studied law. He wasadmitted to the bar in 1820, and commenced practice in Sumner County.[3] He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1827 and 1829, and served on Gallatin's Board of Aldermen from 1831 to 1835. He was elected to theTennessee Senate in 1835, and served until the following year.[1]
At the outbreak of theSecond Seminole War in 1836, Trousdale formed his own company and was elected colonel of the Second Regiment, First Brigade.[3] His regiment took part in several skirmishes and helped defeat Seminole forces at theBattle of Wahoo Swamp in November 1836.[1]
In 1837, Trousdale once again ran for Congress for the6th District congressional seat, but lost toWilliam B. Campbell, his former subordinate in the Seminole War and his future gubernatorial opponent.[1] He ran again in 1839 and 1845, but being aDemocrat in a primarilyWhig district, he was never successful.[1][3] Trousdale campaigned for the unsuccessful Democratic presidential candidate,Martin Van Buren, in 1840.[3]
During theMexican–American War, Trousdale joined the Army with the rank of Colonel and commanded the14th U.S. Infantry. This regiment landed atVeracruz on June 13, 1847, and was placed under GeneralGideon Pillow's 3rd Division.[3] Trousdale's forces linked up withWinfield Scott's forces on July 8 and began the march inland toMexico City. Trousdale took part in theBattle of Contreras and theBattle of Churubusco on August 20, and was grazed in the shoulder while fighting in theBattle of Molino del Rey on September 8.[1][3] Trousdale commanded two regiments (the 14th and 11th) and an artillery battery at theBattle of Chapultepec on September 13.[3] During this battle, his right arm was shattered by enemy fire, though he continued fighting, and managed to lead a charge that captured an enemy cannon.[3] For his actions at Chapultepec, Trousdale wasbrevetted to brigadier general by PresidentJames K. Polk on August 23, 1848.[1]
In 1849, Trousdale received the Democratic nomination for governor. His Whig opponent,Neill S. Brown, had been opposed to the Mexican–American War, and was struggling with divisions over the issue of slavery in the national Whig Party. Trousdale, on the other hand, was riding a wave of popularity for his service in the war. As a result, Trousdale edged Brown by 1,400 votes in the general election.[4]
In Trousdale's reelection campaign in 1851, his opponent wasWilliam B. Campbell, a fellow Mexican–American War hero who had served under Trousdale in the Second Seminole War, and had defeated Trousdale for the 6th District congressional seat in 1837 and 1839. Like Brown in 1849, Trousdale's campaign was damaged by the actions of his own party. At theNashville Convention in 1850, which Trousdale had endorsed, southern Democrats called for secession should the United States implement theWilmot Proviso, banning slavery in territory acquired as a result of the Mexican–American War. Secession was unpopular in Tennessee at the time, and following a relatively dignified campaign, Campbell defeated Trousdale by 1,500 votes.[4]
In 1853, Trousdale was appointed "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary" toBrazil by PresidentFranklin Pierce. He arrived inRio de Janeiro in July 1853 and served until 1857. He spent much of his term advocating the opening of theAmazon River to international commerce.[3]
After returning to Sumner County, Trousdale spent the remainder of his life practicing law. He was consistently stricken withrheumatism, creating physical difficulties that prevented him from taking part in public life, as well as from serving in the Civil War in the 1860s. He nevertheless supported theConfederacy, and refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, even when Union soldiers occupied his home.[3]
Trousdale was married to Mary Ann Bugg in 1827. The couple had seven children.[1] His cousin was North Carolina state politicianJohn Stockard.[5]
Trousdale died on March 27, 1872, and is interred at Gallatin City Cemetery inGallatin, Tennessee.[6]
Trousdale County, Tennessee is named in his honor.[7] His family home, theFederal-style "Trousdale Place" located near the town square ofGallatin, has been a preserved historical site since 1900.[1]
| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Tennessee 1849, 1851 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Tennessee 1849–1851 | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | United States Minister to Brazil 8 October 1853 – 5 December 1857 | Succeeded by |
| Chargé d'Affaires |  | |
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| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | ||
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
