John C. Fremont

1813–1890

Fremont, John Charles, an American explorer and general; born at Savannah, Georgia, January 21, 1813; was appointed professor of mathematics in the United States navy, and in 1839 was commissioned a lieutenant in the corps of Topographical Engineers. He commanded in 1843 an expedition through the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, visited Great Salt Lake, and explored the sources of the Columbia River. He was brevetted a captain in 184.5, and was sent to make explorations in California, but was ordered to leave by the Mexicans. In 1846 he was again ordered to California, where he found the Mexican Governor preparing to attack the American settlements. He placed himself at the head of the set-tiers, and was fitthem chosen Gov-, error of Califu. _ . War was soon afterward declared betwe' the United , States and Mexico, the foiLner sending forces under Cont. Stockton and Gen. Kearney to take posser-ion of California. Difficulties having arisen between these commanders, Fremont, who had meanwhile been promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, be-came a partisan of the former and refused to obey the orders of the latter, who was his superior officer. He was court-martialled for disobedience of orders and mutinous conduct, was found guilty, and was ordered to be dismissed from the service. This sentence was remitted by President Polk, but Fremont resigned his commission. In 1848 he fitted out at his own expense a large exploring expedition, with which he reached California in 1849. He was in 1856 nominated by ' the National Republican Convention for the Presidency. He received one hundred and fourteen electoral votes, while James Buchanan received one hundred and seventy-four and Mil-lard Fillmore eight. At the commencement of the civil war Fremont was commissioned a major-general, served in Missouri and major-general, Virginia, and resigned his command in June, 1862. He was in 1877 appointed Governor of Arizona. Died 1890.


Key events during the life of John Charles Fremont:


Year
Event
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Other Resources


Story Links
Book Links
Fremont's Expedition  in  The Adventures of Kit Carson  by   John S. C. Abbott
Fremont Crossed the Mountains  in  Stories of American Life and Adventure  by  Edward Eggleston
The Slavery Quarrel  in  Story of the Great Republic  by  H. A. Guerber


Image Links


An Oto Council
 in Trails of the Pathfinders

Fremont the explorer
 in Story of the Great Republic


Contemporary
Short Biography
Kit Carson Famed Frontiersman who guided Fremont on his expedition to Colorado, and served during the Mexican-American war.