Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1880-01-03

distinguished IN the annals of the college
tile Glass of '53-with the honor known
in college parlance as a dissertation
sh airing prizes with E. c. Steadman, the
poet, and A. d. White. the educator. He
was fond of books and had reputation
for elegant culture even then. He was
somewhat retiring in manners, but was
much admired as u spe aker, and was &C.
lected to be ''class orator." He wos be-
loved and esteemed at Yale, and Yalensi-
ans of those days will bear the writer out
in saying that he left as pleasant me,n-
ory there as any man who walked under
the elms of New Haven. The college has
since on several occasions signalized him
by its honors. Gibson studied law in
New Orleans, and was graduated at the
university in 1855. He then went abroad
and spent three years in Europe. He
studied at Berlin and visited Russia,
then q rare journey for Americans. He
| spent SIX months at the American Lega-
! ton in Marid with that fine old patriot,
| General Augustus Caesar Dodge-one of
natures noblemen. On his return to this
| country Gibson engaged in sugar plant
ing in louisiana, in which he continued
| until the war. During this period he
took some interest in State and local pol
! itics, and was kro own a. a States Rights
Democrat of liberal type. When the
| war began Gibson joined the army as
private, but was soon appointed as cap
tain of the First Louisiana Artillery, and
stationed at Fort jackson, below New
Orleans. Not long after, he was elected
Colonel of the Thirteenth Louisiana In
fantry. His first great battle was Shiloh.
It is curious illustration of the fresh
ness of life and of the imperfect organi-
zatio of that host that four regiments
found themselves Oh picket without even
having seen the brigadier assigned to
them. some technical defects in their
commissions made it doubtful which of
the colonels was entitled to command.
Each refused it, until finally the others
compelled Gibson to accept it. 1t vas
thus he went in at the head of a brigade
which did good service and suffered SO
verely at Shiloh. 1t was four times re-
pulsed with great slaughter at the "Hor-
nets Nest," but it was in the front line
at sunset and was distinguished in the
fighting next day under Polk, which
Sherman pronounced the heaviest fire
during the war.
Gibsen was with Bragg's army in the
Kentucky campaign and was recommend
ed tor promotion by his superiors for
s.skin and gallantry" at Perryvillc. The
same is true of Murfreesboro and Chicka.
manga. He lost one-third of his brigade
killed and wounded at Murfreesboro out
of twenty eight officers of tho Thirteenth
Louisiana he lost nineteen, and 332 men
were killed and wounded. He was
stained with the blood of General Roger
Hanson, who was mortally wounded at
his side. Without following him through
all his service, which W As continuous and
severe, covering the history of all the
campaigns of the Western army, it is
sufficient to say that he was trusted and
commended by Polk, Hardee, Breckin-
ridge, Cheathaul, Dan Adams, Maury,
Preston, Stephen Lee, Richard Taylor,
J. z. johnson. and Hood among his COM
manders, and was followed with unfailing
confidence by tie veterans under him.
Breckenridge says of him at Nurfrees-
boro, "He discharged his duties with
marked courage and skill"
General il. D. Clayton, in his report of
the battle of Jonesboro, Ca, 3lst of Au
gust, 1864 says: "Brigadier-Geueral
Gibson, seizing the colors of one of his
regiments, dashed to the front and to
the very works of the enemy. His con-
duct created the greatest enthusiasm
throughout the command. This gallant
brigade lost half of it's numbers" Clay
ton adds: my own eyes bore witness
to its splendid conduct from the begin
ming to the close. 1t captured the guns
of the enemy and occupied their main
works, until overwhelming and increas.
ing numbers forced their abondment. It
was handled with skill, and fought with
the heroism of desperation"
General Stephen D. Lee, speaking of
| Gibson's brigade, says: al saw them
around Atlanta, and in Hoods Nashville
campaign, and I know that in copsulta-
ton with Major General Clayton desig-
nessee River in open boats. in the pres
ence of the enemy, opposite Florence,
Ala, and mole gallant crossing of any
river was not made during the war. Tho
enemy was supposed to be in large force,
covered by the banks, but Gibson and his
men never inquired as to numbers when
| they were ordered forward, and their
gallant bearing soon put the enemy's
sharpshootets to flight aud secured a
good crossing for two divisio Gus of my
corps. At Nashville, when Hood was de-