Cochrane, John, 1813-1898

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Cochrane was the grandson of John Cochran, Surgeon General of the Continental Army. He studied first at Union College, but then graduated from Hamilton College in 1831. While attending Union College, he became a member of the Sigma Phi Society. Afterwards he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1834, practiced in Oswego and Schenectady, and then moved to New York City.

In 1852, he campaigned for Franklin Pierce who appointed him Surveyor of the Port of New York in 1853. He was a Democratic member of the 35th and 36th United States Congresses, serving from 1857 to 1861, where he took a prominent part in the debates on land reform, revenue, and other public questions.

At the outbreak of the American Civil War he became a colonel of the 65th New York Volunteer Infantry (also known as the 1st United States Chasseurs), which he commanded in the Peninsular Campaign. In July 1862, he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers, but resigned his commission in February 1863, ostensibly on account of failing health but more likely as a result of his political maneuverings after Fredericksburg. Before that date, he had commanded a brigade under Brigadier General John Newton of the VI Corps. This brigade was present at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Cochrane had also agitated for the removal of Ambrose Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Alexander Shaler replaced Cochrane as commander of the brigade.

Cochrane was New York State Attorney General from 1864 to 1865, elected on the ticket which was nominated by the Union State Convention including Republicans and War Democrats.

In 1864, he was nominated by the Radical Democracy Party for the vice-presidency on the ticket with John C. Frémont, but Frémont soon withdrew. He was a delegate to the 1868 Republican National Convention.

As leader of the New York delegation to the Liberal Republican Convention at Cincinnati in 1872, he was instrumental in securing the nomination of Horace Greeley for the presidency.

Afterwards he became a Democrat again, and was elected a Sachem of Tammany Hall. In 1872 and 1873, he was President of the Common Council of New York City. As such he was Acting Mayor of New York when Mayor A. Oakey Hall temporarily retired during the Tweed investigation.

Cochrane, who was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, died at his home at 7 East Sixty-Second Street in Manhattan, and was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, New York.

Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn New York - Cochrane, John - 65th Infantry National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn Cochrane, John - New York - 1863 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Cochrane, John - Tennessee - 1863 National Archives at Washington, D.C
Place Name Admin Code Country
Montgomery County NY US
Manhattan NY US
Albany NY US
Fredericksburg VA US
Schenectady NY US
New York City NY US
Clinton NY US
Washington City DC US
Oswego NY US
Subject
Civil War, 1861-1865
Democratic Party
Fredericksburg, Battle of, Fredericksburg, Va., 1862
Peninsula Campaign, 1862
Republican Party
Tammany Hall
Occupation
Lawyers
Politicians
Soldiers
Surveyors
Activity

Person

Birth 1813-08-27

Death 1898-02-07

Male

Americans

English

Information

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