Early life
John Cochrane was born in Palatine, New York on August 27, 1813, the grandson of John Cochran (military physician), John Cochran, Surgeon General of the Continental Army. He studied first at Union College, but then graduated from Hamilton College (New York), Hamilton College in 1831. While attending Union College, he became a member of the Sigma Phi, Sigma Phi Society. Afterwards he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1834, practiced in Oswego, New York, Oswego and Schenectady, and then moved to New York City.Career
In 1852, he campaigned for Franklin Pierce who appointed him Surveyor of the Port of New York and New Jersey, Port of New York in 1853.Tenure in Congress
He was a Democratic Party (United States), Democratic member of the 35th United States Congress, 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.Civil War
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 (United States), 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 (engineer), John Newton of the VI Corps (Union Army), 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.Later political career
Cochrane was New York State Attorney General from 1864 to 1865, elected on the ticket which was nominated by the National Union Party (United States), Union State Convention including United States Republican Party, Republicans and War Democrats. In 1864, he was nominated by the Radical Democracy Party (United States), 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 Party (United States), 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 New York City Council, Common Council of New York City. As such he was Acting Mayor of New York when Mayor A. Oakey Hall temporarily retired during the William M. Tweed, Tweed investigation.Personal life
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.See also
*List of American Civil War generals (Union)References
Sources
* * Retrieved on August 17, 2008 *Staff (September 16, 1863