The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1873-05-31
GENERAL PRANK GARDNER;


c. K. Gardner. Of Capitol Hill, died On IL ssth
ultirno, neat vermilioovilie. Louisiana De:
ceaeed was formerly an officer Of The United
States army. and at the outbreak Of the Southern
rebellion resigned and linked bis fortunes with
the COnfederacy, under the government Of which
he held many responsible positions, and was in
command Of POI: Hudson. Mississippi, at the
time Of Its surrender to the Union forces
Washington Chronicle.
Gen. Frank Gardner was one Of the
most trusted and gallant officers OF the
Confedesacy. After the fall Of New Or.
leans. and the subsequent repu:ss Of Fara.
CUTS fleet At vicksburg, ahd its withdraw.
Al from that city. it was determined by
the Confederate government to hold tho
mouth cf Red River open for the supplies
from the trans Mississippi as all hazards.
vicksbu'g above that point WAS fortified
and garrisoned, and Port Hudson, the
mos. available and strongest point bslow.
was put in a perfect state Of defence. The
command Of this place was entrusted 10
Gen. Gasdnes, and how we'll be held it 10
the face Of the overwhelming odds repeat /.
edly brought against him both by land
and water, are matters Of history. With
an army Of less than seven thousand men
he successfully defended The place ibt more
than six months against one Of the best
appointed Federal armies, commanded by
skilIfal general ever put ID the field; be.
sides preventing the repeated attempts Of
the Federal ships Of war to run the gusnt
let Of bis batteries for the purpose Of block
aiding Red river and cutting Of the supplies
for vick.burg. Only once did he t.l in
this and then the fault ~ss not With him
OF bis mes. Farragut in the spring Of
1868 made bold dash ube dark nixht
with the Hartford, Congress, houon9s-
hels, Albatross and Richmond, to p.ss bis
batteries. The engagement that snsued
was one Of the most memorable Of the war.
The vessels were discovered approaching
in the darkness, but the Contederatss we're
on the slert, having previous information
Of their intention: Immediately several
old houses on the opposite side Of the river
bla4 d up, having been fred BY an outpost
to throw light On the river. Then began
a scene Of most terrific and understandable
cannopading. The roar Of artillery from
the guns on the bluffs. replied to from the
ships below, was continuous and deafeuing
for hours. The result WAS that, although
Farragus lpassed With bis own ship, the
Hartford, aud carried the Albseross with
him la.hed 10 his side, the renowned ftig
ate Mississippi was burned and sunk,
while the Richmond and Monongahela
were driven back disabled and badly used
up. We shall not now speak Of The cot.
sequences Of this unfortunate stent, which,
no doubt; contributed mainly to the sub.
sequent starvation Of the two garrisons.
That has beeh, or will be discussed in his
tory. We can only say that Ge., ,eral
Gardner and his brave little army did all
that men could do 10 prevent it. Shortly
after this General N. P. Banks aet seigs to
Port Hudson with an army Of At least
thirty thousand picked troops. Ee made
repeated assaults 10 carry The works, but
was always repulsed; and with fearful lose;
so that on the morning of the 4th Of July;
when The news reacled him of the sussen.
der Of Vicksburg. be had not more than
seven thousand Of his army loft. Gardner
still held ootjftubbornIy. although fsducsd
to extrem;ties, and refused to surrender ut.
till assured that vicksburg had rea''t f*l.
len, and there was no longer anj hope for
him, OF any necessity for holding the post.
He then yielded On the most honorable
aud liberal terms. After retasiaing for 4 |
while on parole. be was exchanged. and
In other fields Of asefulness and
danger Up TO the close Of the ~ar. Us was
every inch a soldier, gallant and tris, and
the idol of bis men and the announce.
,nent Of lis death viii be received with
universal regret throughout the South
Richmond (Va,) Eaqx;rsr.
psEsIDrxt 0RANr's SHARE tn rrfe
7 o,,,>sA A~A (envop,u A ~ The Me- Vol,