William B. Bate Letter
In this February 7, 1877 letter to John H. Erskine, William B. Bate describes his problematic run and subsequent defeat in his most recent senatorial race.
Dates
- 1877 February 7
Conditions Governing Access
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Conditions Governing Use
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Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
In this February 7, 1877 letter to John H. Erskine, William B. Bate describes his problematic run and subsequent defeat in his most recent senatorial race.
Biographical/Historical Note
William Brimage Bate was born to James Henry and Amanda (Weathered) Bate near Castalian Springs (Sumner County) Tennessee on October 7, 1826. He completed an academic course of study and served in the Mexican War before being elected to the Tennessee State House of Representatives in 1849. Bate served in the House until 1851 and went on to graduate from the law department of Lebanon University in 1852, pass the bar, and begin practicing in Gallatin, Tennessee. He married Julia Peete (1834-1910) in 1856, and the couple had four children: Jennie Mastin (1860-1874), Amanda Rebella (1866-1871), Mary Irby Mazie (Bate) Mastin (1861-1941), and Suzanne (Bate) Childs (1869-1945). Bate was elected Attorney General for the Nashville District in 1854, where he remained until interrupting his career to serve with the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He rose to the rank of Major General before surrendering with the Army of Tennessee in 1865. After the War, Bate returned to his law practice in Gallatin before becoming Governor of Tennessee in 1882. He served until 1887, when he was elected to the United States Senate as a Democrat. William B. Bate died in Washington, D.C. on March 9, 1905. His funeral service was held in the Chamber of the United States Senate, and he is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Special Collections purchased this letter in June of 2002.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository