Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/733

238 subsequent election, held under the reconstruction acts, he was the nominee of the regular Republican convention of the State for governor, and defeated Lewis Dent, a brother-in-law of General Grant, who was the candidate of the Democrats. Alcorn had joined the Republican party in the hope of building up a white Republican party in the State and with the idea that many of his old Whig followers would join him. Governor Alcorn was elected to the Senate of the United States in 1871, and in November resigned his post as governor to take his seat in that body, where he served with honor. He was a member of the State constitutional convention in 1890. His death occurred at Eagle Nest, December 20, 1894.

Brigadier-General William E. Baldwin entered the Confederate service early in 1861 and was commissioned colonel of the Fourteenth Mississippi infantry. He was assigned to the army in central Kentucky and in February, with his command, constituted part of the force at Fort Donelson. The important part borne by him and his troops at that important post is best told in the report of General Pillow, who said: "I speak with special commendation of the brigades commanded by Colonels Baldwin, Wharton, McCausland, Simonton and Drake." And again, "Colonel Baldwin's brigade constituted the front of the attacking force, sustained immediately by Colonel Wharton's brigade. These two brigades deserve especial commendation for the manner in which they sustained the first shock of battle, and under circumstances of great embarrassment threw themselves into position and followed up the conflict throughout the day. Being mostly with these two brigades, I can speak from personal knowledge of the gallant conduct and bearing of the two brigade commanders. Colonels Baldwin and Wharton." Baldwin and his command were involved in the surrender of Donelson. After being exchanged he was assigned to the army of West Tennessee, and on December 6, 1862,