Peter T. Washburn | |
|---|---|
 Engraving circa 1865 by Henry Bryan Hall and Sons (New York, NY) | |
| 31st Governor of Vermont | |
| In office October 15, 1869 – February 7, 1870 | |
| Lieutenant | George W. Hendee |
| Preceded by | John B. Page |
| Succeeded by | George W. Hendee |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Woodstock | |
| In office 1853–1855 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas E. Powers |
| Succeeded by | Thomas E. Powers |
| Reporter of Decisions for the Vermont Supreme Court | |
| In office 1844–1852 | |
| Preceded by | William Slade |
| Succeeded by | John F. Deane |
| Assistant Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
| In office 1840–1842 | |
| Preceded by | Ambrose L. Brown |
| Succeeded by | William C. Bradlee |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 7, 1814 Lynn, Massachusetts |
| Died | February 7, 1870 (aged 55) Woodstock, Vermont |
| Resting place | River Street Cemetery, Woodstock, Vermont |
| Political party | Whig (before 1855) Republican (from 1855) |
| Spouse(s) | Almira E. Ferris Almira P. Hopkins |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Dartmouth College |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States Union (American Civil War) |
| Branch/service | Vermont Militia Union Army |
| Years of service | 1837–1841, 1857–1861, 1861–1866 (Militia) 1861 (Army) |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Peter Thacher Washburn (September 7, 1814 – February 7, 1870) was a Vermont lawyer, politician and soldier. A veteran of the American Civil War, he served as the 31st governor of Vermont as a Republican from 1869 to 1870, and was the second Vermont Governor to die in office.
Washburn was a native of Lynn, Massachusetts, and was raised in Ludlow, Vermont. he graduated from Dartmouth College in 1835, and taught school while studying law. He was admitted to the bar in 1838, and practiced law, first in Ludlow and then in Woodstock, while also becoming active in politics as a Whig. In addition to campaigning for Whigs including William Henry Harrison, Washburn held elected and appointed offices, including Reporter of Decisions for the Vermont Supreme Court and member of the Vermont House of Representatives.
In Woodstock Washburn also was active in the Vermont Militia; he was commander of a regiment with the rank of colonel in the late 1830s through the 1850s, and organized a company in anticipation of the American Civil War, which he commanded as a captain. Washburn's company was federalized in 1861 as part of the 1st Vermont Infantry; he was commissioned as the regiment's lieutenant colonel and second-in-command. He became the de facto commander after John W. Phelps was promoted to command of a brigade, and he led the regiment in the Battle of Big Bethel. In late 1861 Washburn was elected adjutant general of Vermont, and as such organized Vermont's participation in the Civil War until the completion of the war, including the state's response to the St. Albans Raid. As Adjutant General Washburn kept track of the over 34,000 Vermont men who enlisted in the Union Army.
In 1869, Washburn was the successful Republican nominee for governor. He served from October 15 until his death on February 7, 1870. His death in Woodstock was attributed to exhaustion caused by overwork.