Portal:Kentucky/Selected biography/10
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Richard Mentor Johnson (October 17, 1780 – November 19, 1850) was the ninth Vice President of the United States, serving in the administration of Martin Van Buren. He was the only vice-president ever elected by the United States Senate under the provisions of the Twelfth Amendment. Johnson also represented Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and began and ended his political career in the Kentucky House of Representatives.
During his tenure in Congress, Johnson became affiliated with the War Hawks, a group of legislators who clamored for action against the British for the impressment of American sailors. Congress approved war with the British in June 1812, and immediately following the adjournment of the session, Johnson returned to Kentucky where he raised a force of three hundred volunteers. The volunteers divided themselves into three companies and chose Johnson as their leader, granting him the rank of major. When Johnson's men consolidated with another battalion, Johnson was chosen to lead the entire group and was given the rank of colonel. The combined force began a march to Upper Canada, but on learning of the surrender of General William Hull at the Battle of Detroit, the battalion turned and patrolled Indian lines, preventing their advance into American frontier settlements.
