Joseph Holt | |
|---|---|
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| 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 McKee 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 |
| Spouse(s) | 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 American lawyer, soldier, and politician. As a leading member of the Buchanan administration, he succeeded in convincing Buchanan to oppose the secession of the South. He returned to Kentucky and successfully battled the secessionist element thereby helping to keep Kentucky in the Union. President Abraham Lincoln appointed him the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army. He served as Lincoln's chief arbiter and enforcer of military law, and supporter of emancipation. His most famous roles came in the Lincoln assassination trials.[1]
- ^ Elizabeth D. Leonard, Lincoln's Forgotten Ally: Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt of Kentucky (2011).