Vance, Zebulon Baird

Vance, Zebulon Baird, 1830–94, American political leader, Confederate governor of North Carolina (1862–65) in the Civil War, b. Buncombe co., N.C. A lawyer and a Whig, he served in the state legislature (1854) and in Congress (1858–61). Opposed to secession until President Lincoln's call for troops, he promptly urged support of the Confederacy. He distinguished himself in the Seven Days battles (June–July, 1862) before assuming the governorship. Vance was loyal to the Southern cause, but for him the interests of North Carolina superseded those of the Confederate government of Richmond. After the war he was arrested but soon released. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1870, he was denied his seat. In 1876 he was again elected governor, but resigned in 1878 to enter the Senate, where he was an important figure and a popular orator until his death.

Bibliography

See biographies by F. R. Shirley (1963) and G. Tucker (1966).

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Vance, Zebulon Baird (1830–94) governor; born in Buncombe County, N.C. A Know-Nothing in the U.S. House of Representatives (N.C., 1858–61), he campaigned against secession. Once the war was underway, however, as Conservative Party governor (1862–65) he had to lead a divided state and he gave limited support to the Confederacy. Reelected governor (Dem., 1877–79), he restored the state economy and improved public education. In the U.S. Senate (1880–94), he served on the Finance Committee.