Joseph Holt

Joseph Holt
Judge Advocate General of the United States Army
In office September 3, 1862 – December 1, 1875
President	Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant
Preceded by	John F. Lee
Succeeded by	William McKee Dunn
25th United States Secretary of War
In office January 18, 1861 – March 5, 1861
President	James Buchanan
Preceded by	John B. Floyd
Succeeded by	Simon Cameron
18th United States Postmaster General
In office March 9, 1859 – December 31, 1860
President	James Buchanan
Preceded by	Aaron V. Brown
Succeeded by	Horatio King
Personal details
Born	(1807-01-06)January 6, 1807 Breckinridge County, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	August 1, 1894(1894-08-01) (aged 87) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Mary Harrison Margaret Wickliffe
Education	Centre College
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army (Union Army)
Years of service	1862-1875
Rank	Brigadier general
Commands	Judge Advocate General's Corps
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Joseph Holt (January 6, 1807 – August 1, 1894) was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician. As a leading member of the Buchanan administration, he succeeded in convincing Buchanan to oppose the secession of the South. He returned to Kentucky and successfully battled the secessionist element thereby helping to keep Kentucky in the Union. President Abraham Lincoln appointed him the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army. He served as Lincoln's chief arbiter and enforcer of military law, and supporter of emancipation. His most famous roles came in the Lincoln assassination trials.^[1]