History of Blacksburg, (Rockbridge County) Virginia United States of America

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John Buchanan Floyd, statesman, was born near Blacksburg, Va., June 1, 1807; son of John and Letitia (Preston) Floyd. He was graduated at South Carolina college in 1826 and became a lawyer. He resided near Helena, Ark., 1836-39, and practised law in Washington county, Va., 1839-57. He was a representative in the general assembly, 1847-49 and 1853; governor of the state, 1849-52; Democratic elector in 1856, and secretary of war under President Buchanan, 1857-60. He resigned his cabinet office in December, 1860, on account of the President sending reinforcements to the U.S. forces in Charleston harbor. Having been accused of exercising his privilege while in office in favor of a prearranged plan for the secession of the southern states, and of providing an anticipated demand for arms and ammunition by overstocking southern arsenals he demanded from congress an investigation and speedy trial. A special committee of the house investigated the charges and declared them totally unfounded. After his departure from Washington he was indicted as privy to a defalcation which had occurred in his department. Hearing of it at Abingdon, Va., he returned to Washington, gave bail and demanded a trial, whereupon the prosecution was droppead. On the secession of Virginia he joined the Confederate army, was commissioned brigadier-general, and saw his first service at Carnifex Ferry, Va., Sept. 10, 1861, where he was wounded. He was then transferred to the west, and at Fort Donelson, Feb. 14, 1862, reached the field after the engagement had begun. He declared the position untenable and recommended continuous bard fighting with preparation to retreat if necessary. He directed the battle for two days, which resulted in driving back the Federal right and opening the road to retreat, but General Pillow, second in command, ordered his own division back to their original position, leaving General Floyd's brigade unsupported, and compelling it to return to the lines. He turned over the command to Buckner and withdrew his brigade, the bulk of the Confederate forces being left under General Buckner, who capitulated to General Grant, Feb. 16, 1862. President Davis relieved both Floyd and Pillow of their commands, whereupon the state of Virginia conferred upon Floyd the commission of major general which he held till the failure of his health, due to the hardships of the service. He was married in his early manhood to his cousin, Sally Buchanan (1802-1879), daughter of Gen. Francis Preston, sister of Senator William C. and Gen. John S. Preston of South Carolina, niece of Patrick Henry of Virginia, and granddaughter of Gen. William Campbell, the hero nf King's Mountain. Having no children they adopted Eliza M. Johnston, a relative, who became the wife of Robert W. Hughes of Norfolk, Va., judge of the U.S. district court. General Floyd died at Mrs. Hughes's home near Abingdon, Va., Aug. 26, 1863.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Blacksburg, (Rockbridge County) Virginia

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