Joshua Bullitt

Joshua Fry Bullitt (February 22, 1821 - February 16, 1898) was a justice on the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

Biography

Bullitt attended Centre College and studied law at the University of Virginia. He was admitted to the bar in 1844, and served as Louisville's state Representative beginning in 1851. Bullitt was married to Elizabeth B. Smith in 1846. In 1861 he was elected to the Court of Appeals (Kentucky's highest court at the time). He served as Chief Justice in 1864 and 1865.

Arrest

Bullitt was arrested in July 1864 at the direction of General William Tecumseh Sherman for sympathizing with the Confederacy. He was sent to Tennessee with others suspected of similar crimes, possibly to be sent to the lines. He was returned to Louisville and the Court of Appeals on December 6, 1864.

Release

General Stephen G. Burbridge stated that Bullitt's release was part of an exchange of prisoners between Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest and Federal General Washburne, and that Bullitt "was liable to re-arrest, ought to have beenre-arrested and hung, and would have been arrested had he not escaped."

Bullitt fled to Canada and was removed from office in June 1865.

References

Levin, H., editor, "Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky". Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company (1897). Reprinted by Southern Historical Press.