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Gideon Johnson PillowGideon Johnson Pillow (June 8, 1806-October 8, 1878) was an American general. As former law partner of President James K. Polk, he was appointed a commander in the Mexican-American War, where he came into conflict with the commander of the American forces in Mexico, Winfield Scott. After the war, he anonymously published an account of the Battle of Padierna in which he claimed that he was responsible for the American victory. Pillow's antagonism for Scott was reflected in the 1852 election for president, when he opposed Scott's candidacy for president, supporting instead a former subordinate of his in the Mexican-American War, Franklin Pierce. Pillow attempted to win the vice-presidential nomination, but was rejected. He tried, but failed, to win the nomination for vice president again in 1856. Although he opposed secession, Pillow joined the Confederate army with the rank of Brigadier General in the American Civil War. He was suspended from command in 1862 due to his actions at Fort Donelson: given command of the fort, he passed it over to Simon Buckner, Sr. just before the fort surrendered, so as not to be responsible for its fall to the Union forces. After the war, Pillow embarked on a successful law practice in Memphis, Tennessee, together with former governor Isham G. Harris. He died in Arkansas in 1878.
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