U.S. PRESIDENTS IN THE MILITARY (Pierce-Lincoln)

With Presidents Day coming up fast here’s another seasonal post.

FRANKLIN PIERCE

From 1831-1847 Pierce served in the peacetime New Hampshire Militia, rising to the rank of colonel.

Conflict – Mexican War: Service – Because of his experience with military norms and exercises Franklin Pierce was named a General of Volunteers. In 1847 he led his men to Vera Cruz, which had been taken in an amphibious operation in March by General Winfield Scott. He then led his 2,500-strong troop in transporting additional supplies for Scott despite guerilla attacks and fighting in his ongoing campaign to take Mexico City.

General Pierce saw further action in battles at Contreras, Churubusco, Molina del Ray, Chapultepec and Mexico City itself. Pierce had an unfortunate tendency toward undignified injuries, and an early bashing of his testicles caused complications which surfaced again and again throughout the war.

Franklin had a horse fall on him at one point, repeatedly fell unconscious from pain related to his testicle injury and so often fell from his horse that he eventually had himself tied to the saddle to prevent additional instances. After taking part in the occupation of Mexico City, Pierce resigned from the army on March 20th, 1848, more than a month after the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ended the war.

JAMES BUCHANAN

Conflict – War of 1812: Service – Buchanan served as an officer in Shippen’s Cavalry. He participated in raids to steal horses and other supplies from the British during their campaign to take Washington D.C. After serving through the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814, he left the army.  

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Conflict – Black Hawk War: Service – When the war started in early April 1832, Lincoln enlisted in the Illinois Militia and was elected captain of his unit. The future president did not like being a captain. He resigned and reenlisted as a private. Ultimately, he finished out his time in the war as part of Jacob Early’s spy/ scout unit.

Lincoln was deeply affected by his service, especially the death and destruction wrought in the Battles of Kellogg’s Grove and Stillman’s Run. The war ended on August 27th, and Abe’s service was sufficient to receive a Land Grant.