James Wilkinson

:This article is about the American general. For other uses, see James Wilkinson (disambiguation).

Second Military Career

In March 1791, he led a force of Kentucky volunteers against Indians north of the Ohio River, and in October he received a commission to the U.S. Army as lieutenant colonel, commandant of the 2nd Infantry. He was promoted to Brigadier General and served on the frontier under General Anthony Wayne, commanding the right wing in the Battle of Fallen Timbers in August 1794. During this time, he secretly maintained contacts with the Spanish government and informed them of plans for General George Rogers Clark to attack New Orleans in 1793-1794. He was appointed commander at Detroit in 1796 and partially redeemed himself by rejecting entreaties to lead a rebellion in the Natchez, Mississippi area. Despite his treachery, upon Wayne's death, he became the senior officer of the U.S. Army from December 15, 1796 to July 13, 1798.

Related Topics:
1791 - Ohio River - U.S. Army - Anthony Wayne - Battle of Fallen Timbers - 1794 - George Rogers Clark - New Orleans - 1793 - Detroit - 1796 - Natchez, Mississippi - December 15 - July 13 - 1798

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Wilkinson was transferred to the southern frontier in 1798 and was designated to treat with the regional Indian tribes. He was again the senior officer of the United States Army, from June 15, 1800 to January 27, 1812. Along with Governor William C. C. Claiborne, he shared the honor of taking possession of the Louisiana Purchase on behalf of the United States in 1803.

Related Topics:
June 15 - 1800 - January 27 - 1812 - William C. C. Claiborne - Louisiana Purchase - 1803

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In 1804-1805, he exchanged communications with Aaron Burr, which many suspect concerned Burr's conspiracy to set up an independent nation in the west. Some embittered associates later claimed that Wilkinson was the mastermind behind the plot of which Burr was accused. In 1805, U.S. President Thomas Jefferson appointed Wilkinson as the first governor of the newly organized Louisiana Territory. He was removed from this office after being publicly criticized for heavy-handed administration and abuse of power. Perhaps in an attempt to save himself, he betrayed Burr's plans to Thomas Jefferson. Wilkinson testified at Burr's trial, resulting in public accusations against him and two congressional inquiries of his private ventures and intrigues. President James Madison ordered his court martial in 1811. He was found not guilty on December 25, 1811.

Related Topics:
Aaron Burr - U.S. President - Thomas Jefferson - Louisiana Territory - James Madison

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Wilkinson was commissioned a major general in the War of 1812 and in March 1813, Wilkinson and his soldiers occupied Mobile, Alabama in what was then Spanish West Florida. He was then assigned to the St. Lawrence River sector, after Henry Dearborn's reassignment. He led two failed campaigns (Battle of Crysler's Farm and Battle of La Colle Mill) and was relieved from active service, but he was cleared by a military inquiry. He published his memoirs, Memoirs of My Own Times, in 1816 and visited Mexico in pursuit of a Texas land grant in 1821. While waiting for Mexican approval of his Texas scheme, Wilkinson died in Mexico City where he was also buried.

Related Topics:
War of 1812 - Mobile, Alabama - West Florida - St. Lawrence River - Henry Dearborn - Battle of Crysler's Farm - Battle of La Colle Mill - 1816 - Mexico - Texas - 1821 - Mexico City

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Wilkinson's Spanish involvement, although suspected, was not proven until long after his death following research in Spanish archives.

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Wilkinson married Ann Biddle of the famous Biddle family, in 1778 and had four children with her. After Ann's death on March 5, 1810, he married Celeste Laveau Trudeau, with whom he had two children.

Related Topics:
Ann Biddle - Biddle family - Celeste Laveau Trudeau

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