Five days after the American Civil War began with the firing on
Fort Sumter, Crittenden volunteered for the Union Army and was commissioned as
captain of a company in the
6th Regiment Indiana Infantry (3 months). Little more than a week later, he became the regiment's
colonel. Crittenden led his regiment into what is now
West Virginia, taking part in several small battles. On August 2, 1861, the regiment was discharged, having only enlisted for 90 days. Crittenden reorganized his regiment for three years of service, and on September 20, 1861, he led his men into the officially neutral state of Kentucky. They spent the winter near
Bowling Green, and marched to take part in the battle of
Shiloh,
Tennessee, arriving in time for the second day. Later that month, in April 1862, Crittenden was commissioned a
brigadier general. On July 13, 1862, just weeks after taking charge of the Union garrison at
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Crittenden and his entire command were captured by
Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalrymen. Crittenden was exchanged in October 1862, but his career had been ruined. Early in 1863, he was given command of a brigade previously commanded by
William E. Woodruff, but realized he was no longer viewed with confidence. He resigned from the army in May 1863 and saw no further military service. After the war, Crittenden moved to
Washington, D.C., where he practiced law, including before the
U.S. Supreme Court. In 1885, he moved to distant
San Diego,
California, where he became a real estate developer. He died at the age of 79 while on a visit to
East Gloucester, Massachusetts. He is buried at
Arlington National Cemetery. ==See also==