Person Information
-
Show Citations
Joseph Lane
Birth: 12-14-1801
Death: 4-19-1881
Biography
Joseph Lane was born in North Carolina. As a teenager he moved to Indiana and later gained a seat as a member of the Indiana Senate. When the Mexican-American War began in 1846 he resigned his seat and was elected colonel of the 2nd Indiana Infantry. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Buena Vista (February 22-23, 1847), but is best known for his controversial actions in Vera Cruz after the capture of Mexico City in September 1847. His actions resulted in a massacre of Mexican soldiers and civilians on October 7, 1847. After the war, Lane became governor of the Oregon territory and from 1859-61 he represented Oregon in the U.S. Senate.
Letter References
Letter from Augustus Henry Seward to Frances Miller Seward, February 5, 1848
Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, November 14, 1847
Citations
Joseph Lane was born in North Carolina. As a teenager he moved to Indiana and later gained a seat as a member of the Indiana Senate. When the Mexican-American War began in 1846 he resigned his seat and was elected colonel of the 2nd Indiana Infantry. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Buena Vista (February 22-23, 1847), but is best known for his controversial actions in Vera Cruz after the capture of Mexico City in September 1847. His actions resulted in a massacre of Mexican soldiers and civilians on October 7, 1847. After the war, Lane became governor of the Oregon territory and from 1859-61 he represented Oregon in the U.S. Senate.