William W. Belknap

William W. Belknap was an American soldier, politician, and the 30th United States Secretary of War. A veteran of the American Civil War, he served with distinction under Ulysses S. Grant before being appointed to the President's Cabinet. His tenure is primarily remembered for the Trader post scandal that led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives and subsequent resignation in 1876, a first for a Cabinet secretary.

Early Life and Education

Born in Newburgh, New York, he was the son of career soldier William G. Belknap, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the Mexican–American War. He attended local schools before enrolling at Princeton University, graduating in 1848. After studying law under an attorney in Georgetown, Delaware, he was admitted to the bar in 1851. He soon moved west, establishing a legal practice in Keokuk, Iowa, where he became active in local Democratic politics before the war.

Military Career

With the outbreak of the American Civil War, Belknap helped raise a company of volunteers for the Union Army. He was commissioned as a major in the 15th Iowa Infantry Regiment in 1861. He saw action in several major campaigns in the Western Theater, including the Battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Corinth, and the Atlanta Campaign. Recognized for his bravery and leadership, particularly at the Battle of Atlanta, he received a series of promotions, culminating in a brevet to the rank of major general of volunteers in 1865. His service brought him to the attention of General Ulysses S. Grant.

Impeachment and Resignation

Appointed Secretary of War by President Grant in 1869, Belknap initially oversaw the post-war demobilization of the United States Army and administration of the Reconstruction South. His tenure, however, became mired in corruption. In 1876, a House committee investigation revealed he had accepted annual kickbacks from a Fort Sill Sutler named Caleb P. Marsh in exchange for the lucrative Fort Sill trading post franchise. Facing imminent impeachment by the House of Representatives for crimp and high crimes and misdemeanors, he rushed to the White House and resigned on March 2, 1876. The House impeached him anyway, and he was tried by the Senate. Although a majority of senators voted to convict, they fell short of the required two-thirds majority, partly because some believed the Senate lacked jurisdiction over an official who had already resigned.

Personal Life

Belknap's personal life was marked by tragedy. He married his first wife, Carrie Tomlinson, in 1854; she died in 1862. He later married her sister, Amanda Tomlinson Bower, in 1863, who also predeceased him in 1866. In 1873, he married John McLean, a wealthy socialite from Washington, D.C., whose extravagant lifestyle is believed to have motivated his corrupt activities. After his resignation, he returned to practicing law in Washington, D.C.. He died of a heart attack in 1890 and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Legacy

Belknap's legacy is overwhelmingly defined by scandal. His impeachment remains a significant case study in constitutional law regarding the accountability of executive officials. The Trader post scandal contributed to the public perception of corruption within the Grant administration and fueled the call for civil service reform. Despite his earlier honorable military service, his name is permanently associated with one of the most notorious episodes of the Gilded Age.

Category:1829 births Category:1890 deaths Category:United States Secretaries of War Category:American people impeached by the United States House of Representatives Category:People from Newburgh, New York Category:Union Army generals Category:Princeton University alumni