The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-02-14
es;ssssssssa. e;sssss aooaRDeN, OF aEoaalA.
Col. r. ". dcery in Detroit FSe, P,e.,.

/ a friendly critic, sPenhiBg vi GunrIai
i Gordon's caresr as soldier, claimed tbat
1t was no cxaggeratiou to term II
MILITARY MIRACLE.
| In the latter part OF the war his fame
reached the old world, aud che enthused
representative Of one of the great Eng
lish journals, describing some important
action, In burst Of admiration over
Gor'son'a movements. designated him as
the "ris:ng young military genius Of the
Southern army" This was high praise,
but not undeserved. The place of Stone.
wall Jaok.on remained untitled until
Gordon undoubtedly succeeded that
marvellous warrior IL. the estimation Of
armies and people, as the right arm of
Lee. II must indeed have been o bril-.
liant spirit that could have awakened
the popular hope of matching jackson.
But Gordon did inspire this splendid ex-
pectation, and the lest twelve months Of
the war shed o resplendent Iustre upon
his name, and made him the second fig
ure to Lee in the dismal glory that mark
ed the tragic failu7e OF the revolution.
In the terrible last days Of the struggle
most frequently thrilled the public ear.
gigantic war, it war the knightly figure
Of Gordon that led the desperate hopes
of falling cause. Wherever the brunt
of battle fell there was placed Gordon.
He Was the thunderbolt Of Lees army,
iesp:ns into dazzling Tonown TINT will
last with the history of the ill.fated
movement.
GORDOS's EARLY SERVICE.
H. l..
ring the last dramatic year of the war,
gains co!oring froa the obscurity Of his
/ carly service, and his long and humble,
but valuable duty rs an unknown subor.
! dinate.
It wac long and large step from
Captain Gordon Of the Raccoon Roughs
at the beginning to the famed Lieutenant
General, who was resplendent in the last
movements Of Lees grand army. 1t
was nearly year before he became a
Colonel. It was April, 1868, another
year, before he became Brigadier. j.
was not until May, 1864, that he began
10 be famous. Bit when he did have an
opportunity lie showed what was in
\ him, and his rise was as swift as 1t was
T solid and meritorious. He became one
of the brilliant figures Of the army,
growing constantly in fame. his hercism,
and generaIship shining with increased
instre jB the accumulating adyersities of
the Cause and when the end was coming
s5d finally came, it was Gordon with bis
unconquered bnyonets that last left the
futile Notifications Of Petersburg. 1t
] wgs Gordon, undaunted and undismayed,
that in the calaniit0us retreat led and
fought in front Of the enemy with his
shattered band Of heroes and 1t was
this same Gordon that was chosen to
cut his way through the encompassng
legiuns with his fragment Of two thou.
santi intrepid men in the !orlornest hope
that VAS ever contemplated by soldierly
despc -aiion. And when the historic
scene OF Appomattox Court House came,
with it, memorable surrender Of the
Army g. Virginia and ils consequent
| collapse. Of the Southern cause, IT was
the gallant Gordon vino divided with bis
great chieftain, Lee, the sad celebrity OF
that heroic, ,irreparable conclusion of q
grand drama. And when We consider
that Gordon was but thirty-three years OF
age when be had thus fought his way to
dazzling distinction, and thus conspicu-
ously and brilliantly connected himself
with historic events so grand and mo.
mentous, 1t constitutes proud hsritage
4 OF inne iOf MS cnll0fen.
fs a g
4 S5 ooRDoN'5 RARE COURAGE.
I Nearly oil men are brave enough to
l fight. Human nature in the average
10 courageous enough and combative
| enough. Personal bravery is not rare
quality by any means. But there is d
degree Of courage, not common, that -
very rare aud very attractive, that tas in
tia sort of heroic exaltatioh that carries
its possesBor In D Hublimated atmosphere
Of chivelric iceling and knsghtly deed.
Its inspiration makes men do heroic
things. Those animated by it show the
God-like spirit OF On invineible intre.
fpidity. Their great souls rise above
danger and pain and exhibit the swelling
incentive Of noble aspiration and the in.
fperioua stimulation OF high thought and
lofty purpose. Farragut, the great naval
leader on tho Northern eide, was such
man. Gordon possessed this exalted
personal courage in its fullest degree, and
he made as sgblime'a demonstration of it
at the battle of Sharpsbprg as tho history
OF ancient or podern warfare can fur
nish. He ewas Colonel thee, and his
tant 10 rsaintain. The FIRE upon IL was
r.ieh.ful. Gordon was wounded twice
in the right leg; then painfully in the
len arm and then IN the shoulder. He
refused to leave the field, but bloody and
staggering With pain and weakness, he
remained at bis post commanding his
men, who adjured him to retire. No
i Us idinary courage couia hsyo wrought
4 such heroism. 1t was o magnificent
/ display OF an intrepid devotion to duty
I and lofty zeal, such as is rarely seen.
| AZ length q fifth bullet, passing through
his left cheek, stretched him ,insensi6le
on. the & ,ound aud brought his superb
endurri'e 0 70 o Termination. And so'this
| day Gordon carries this eloquent scar
upon hin face. conspicuous aud DEATH
less les imony Of his magnificent gals
lantry. Gordon's appearance and man.
Gef bear the impress Of his ehivalric
spirit. II ia impossible to mistake it.
His Gne figure, his MARTA. bearing, his
frank, handsome face with its expression
Of nobility, and his gentle but manly
courtesy, all uparringly. represent the
Ieoninc soul Of the man, his truth, cour.
tssy and goodness.
Els MILITARY CAPACITY. =
In estimating the military record of
this fiery and impetuons, but yet most
methoaical and calculating officer, one
must consider the, Important fact that
Nss. 4.