Generals in Gray: Gordon

John B. Gordon

As a regimental commander in D. H. Hill's Division at Antietam, Gordon's Sixth Alabama was one of the few units that held together, still fighting when the sun finally set on that long, bloody day in 1862. Gordon's tough regiment had been once again cut to pieces by Barlow's New Yorkers (a third of whom, including Barlow, also fell). Gordon was struck by five bullets: twice in the leg and once in the arm, shoulder and jaw (he fell and nearly drowned in his own blood). While Gordon was recovering from his wounds from Antietam he was promoted to brigadier general. Back in action, he performed brilliantly at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. At the Wilderness he led an attack that was vital to the Confederate success. At Spotsylvania he was promoted to major general, then sent to harass Washington via the Shenandoah Valley. In April 1865 Gordon led half of Lee's infantry from Petersburg to the surrender at Appomattox. After the war he returned to Georgia and had a distinguished political career, serving as governor and senator. He died on January 9, 1904.
*Fate kept placing Barlow and Gordon in opposing combat throughout the war. At Antietam, Barlow was hit in the groin by a cannon shot and was out of action for months. At Gettysburg, he was severely wounded by a bullet in the abdomen fired by Gordon's brigade. Jubal Early's chief of staff removed Barlow from the battlefield to a safe place from where he was later taken to a Confederate field hospital. (After the war, Gordon falsely claimed to have saved Barlow at Gettysburg himself.) Barlow recovered and was assigned command of the First Division of Hancock's mighty Second Corps, participating in the Wilderness Campaign of 1864. Gordon's unit cut Barlow's men to pieces at Cold Harbor, but Barlow had the final victory. He and the First Division pursued Gordon all the way from Petersburg to Appomattox.

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John Brown Gordon was born in Upson County, Georgia on February 6, 1832, the son of a prominent planter and businessman. He attended Franklin College, studied law, and became an attorney, then a newspaper correspondent, and finally a partner in his father's coal mine. A gifted orator, Gordon stumped for John Breckinridge in the 1860 presidential campaign. Gordon was a passionate proponent of slavery and an enthusiastic supporter of secession. He enthusiastically raised a local company of volunteers, but unable to beat the enlistment rush in Georgia, he took his company to Montgomery where they were incorporated into the Sixth Alabama infantry regiment. Gordon was commissioned its major in May 1861. In June Gordon's regiment went to Virginia where they fought at First Manassas, Seven Pines, and the Seven Days. Gordon was inspiring, aggressive and fearless in combat; consequently the units that followed him into battle suffered terrible casualties but never wavered. At Malvern Hill, Gordon commanded a brigade that was nearly annihilated by Francis Barlow's 61st New York volunteers in the first of many contests between the two officers.*

© 2003 David C. Hanson, HIS 269 - Civil War and Reconstruction, Virginia W. Community College

John B. Gordon
	As a regimental commander in D. H. Hill's Division at Antietam, Gordon's Sixth Alabama was one of the few units that held together, still fighting when the sun finally set on that long, bloody day in 1862. Gordon's tough regiment had been once again cut to pieces by Barlow's New Yorkers (a third of whom, including Barlow, also fell). Gordon was struck by five bullets: twice in the leg and once in the arm, shoulder and jaw (he fell and nearly drowned in his own blood). While Gordon was recovering from his wounds from Antietam he was promoted to brigadier general. Back in action, he performed brilliantly at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. At the Wilderness he led an attack that was vital to the Confederate success. At Spotsylvania he was promoted to major general, then sent to harass Washington via the Shenandoah Valley. In April 1865 Gordon led half of Lee's infantry from Petersburg to the surrender at Appomattox. After the war he returned to Georgia and had a distinguished political career, serving as governor and senator. He died on January 9, 1904. *Fate kept placing Barlow and Gordon in opposing combat throughout the war. At Antietam, Barlow was hit in the groin by a cannon shot and was out of action for months. At Gettysburg, he was severely wounded by a bullet in the abdomen fired by Gordon's brigade. Jubal Early's chief of staff removed Barlow from the battlefield to a safe place from where he was later taken to a Confederate field hospital. (After the war, Gordon falsely claimed to have saved Barlow at Gettysburg himself.) Barlow recovered and was assigned command of the First Division of Hancock's mighty Second Corps, participating in the Wilderness Campaign of 1864. Gordon's unit cut Barlow's men to pieces at Cold Harbor, but Barlow had the final victory. He and the First Division pursued Gordon all the way from Petersburg to Appomattox. Generals >
John Brown Gordon was born in Upson County, Georgia on February 6, 1832, the son of a prominent planter and businessman. He attended Franklin College, studied law, and became an attorney, then a newspaper correspondent, and finally a partner in his father's coal mine. A gifted orator, Gordon stumped for John Breckinridge in the 1860 presidential campaign. Gordon was a passionate proponent of slavery and an enthusiastic supporter of secession. He enthusiastically raised a local company of volunteers, but unable to beat the enlistment rush in Georgia, he took his company to Montgomery where they were incorporated into the Sixth Alabama infantry regiment. Gordon was commissioned its major in May 1861. In June Gordon's regiment went to Virginia where they fought at First Manassas, Seven Pines, and the Seven Days. Gordon was inspiring, aggressive and fearless in combat; consequently the units that followed him into battle suffered terrible casualties but never wavered. At Malvern Hill, Gordon commanded a brigade that was nearly annihilated by Francis Barlow's 61st New York volunteers in the first of many contests between the two officers.*
© 2003 David C. Hanson, HIS 269 - Civil War and Reconstruction, Virginia W. Community College