Marshall, Humphrey, 1812-1872

Humphrey Marshall, the grandson of politician and historian Humphrey Marshall (1760-1841), was a politician, attorney, and Confederate general. Born in 1812 in Frankfort, Marshall graduated from West Point in 1832 and briefly served in the military before resigning his commission to pursue a career in law and politics. Marshall's military career resumed during the Mexican War, when he served as colonel of the 1st Kentucky Cavalry, which fought at the Battle of Buena Vista. After the war, as a Whig and later a Know Nothing, Marshall acted as ambassador to China from 1852 to 1854 and then served two terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1855 to 1859. After supporting Kentucky neutrality in 1860 and 1861, Marshall joined the Confederate army and earned a brigadier general's commission, commanding troops in eastern Kentucky and Tennessee. In the summer of 1863, Marshall resigned his commission and represented Kentucky in the Confederate Congress. When Richmond fell in April 1865, Marshall fled the city with the Confederate government and eventually reached Mexico. After the war, he returned to Louisville, where he practiced law and died on March 28, 1872.

From the description of Humphrey Marshall papers, 1827-1921 (bulk 1840-1872). (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 77530350

Kentucky lawyer, U.S. congressman, diplomat, Confederate general and congressman.

From the description of Humphrey Marshall : miscellaneous papers, 1835-1863. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49254293

Army officer, lawyer, U.S. representative from Kentucky, and C.S.A. representative from Virginia.

From the description of Humphrey Marshall papers, 1771-2002 (bulk 1846-1856). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 558717192

Biographical Note

• 1812, Jan. 13: Born, Frankfort, Franklin County, Ky.
• 1832: Graduated, United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.
• 1833: Married Frances E. McAllister Resigned from the United States Army Studied law and was admitted to the bar
• 1833 - 1834 : Practiced law in Frankfurt, Ky.
• 1834 - 1846 : Practiced law in Louisville, Ky.
• 1846: Colonel of the First Kentucky Calvary during the Mexican War, where he fought at the Battle of Buena Vista
• 1849 - 1852 : Elected as a Whig to the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses of the House of Representatives
• 1852 - 1854 : Appointed United States Commissioner to China
• 1855 - 1859 : Elected on the American Party ticket to the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth Congresses of the House of Representatives
• 1861 - 1863 : Served as a brigadier general in the Confederate Army
• 1863: Resigned from the Confederate Army Moved to Richmond, Va., and practiced law
• 1864: Elected to the Second Confederate Congress as a representative from Virginia
• circa 1865: Moved to New Orleans, La.
• 1866: Returned to Louisville, Ky., and resumed his practice of law
• 1872, Mar. 28: Died, Louisville, Ky.

From the guide to the Humphrey Marshall Papers, 1771-2002, (bulk 1846-1856), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)