Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-06-01
GEN. JOHN GIBBON.
A Tribute in the House of Representa-
lives by an Army COmrade.

lives by an Army Comrade.
In the debate in the national house
of representatives upon the bill
making compulsory the retire
ment of officers when they reach
the age of sixty one years, Gen
Ed. Bragg from the Fond du Lac district
of Wisconsin, and one of the most intel
ligent and gallant OF the many
noble men Wisconsin sent to the late
war, paid the following we'll earned and
deserved compliment, to Gen. John Glib
bon, at present stationed at Fort Smelling
the man who, by his strict discipline,
quick conception, sound judgment and
heroic example, made possible the
gallant achievements of the "Old
Iron Brigade" an organization OF
Western regiments In the army
of the Potomac, whose fOrtitude under
adverse circumstances, enduran ce, dash
and determination in times Of extreme
peril, Won for 1t the proud reputation it
has IN the histories of that memorable
struggle. The kindly words said by Gen.
Bragg will be most enthusiastically in
dorsed by every survivor OF the "Old
Iron Brigade" organization. Gen. Bragg
said:
at was not the men who commanded ar
mics, corps, or divisions, or brigsdes that
brought about the entire success of the union
army during the lste war. lt-was the sturdy
volunteers of the line, managed by officers OF
the line, who were present in the line OF bat
tie, rather than the men who were often mile
away sending orders verbally By gentlemen OF
their staff. 1 say, Mr.. Chairman, that these
men now holding inferior rank who did
honor to our army, these men who won glory
and renown upon the field and whose brilliant
conduct in the service OF this country with
their commands furnished the stars which
shine upon the shoulders OF those gentlemen
in more exalted positions, SO that they now
dazzle the eyes of members OF congress, have
the right to a recognition by this body, as
well as the men who now hold the more eX-
allied rank.
'sThere stands the colonel OF the Seventh
infantry, man who was major general OF
volunteers, and one of the chief actors in the
battle of Gettysburg; the same man who
since the war fought one of the hardest
fought Indian battles Of the age, the battle OF
the Big Horn; who has served his whole long
lifetime in the army; one OF the very lew ON
GERS who always believed that the battles
were to be won by the volunteers, because
and the spirit that made the elite OF the army;
man who believed in discipline; man who
disciplined and controlled his forces, and
made the volunteers under his command a
power ia the line and taught them how TO
fight.
"As stated, he taught the volunteers how
to fight, and gave credit and respect to &e
volunteer army, and taught them that military
discipline was the essential to success. am
H. MI vol
unteer, will be willing to stand here on the
floor of this house with my mouth closed
without paying my respects to the man who
taught me what little ever knew Of war. i
will not withhold paying the tribute OF my re-
spect upon this floor to the man Tho drilled and
disciplined the brigade OF volunteers under
his command in the army of the Potomac
until he made that command worthy and
capable of meeting the famous stonewall
brigade OF Jackson, and under whose training
and discipline and leadership received the
proud title of the Iron Brigade of the West,
for Its unfincbing bravery upon many hard
fought field. That brigade, sir, was the child
of Gibbon. Most of its members sleep the
sleep that knows no waking Their bones lie
moldering on scores Of battle
fields, from Gettysburg to Ap-
pomatox, and the survivors, for whom
l speak, ask that such legislation shall be en-
acted that Gen. GlDbon snail wear again the
stars which he proudly won in the war, and
which never shon2 on shoulders more worthy
to bear them. A msjor-geEeral in the war, in
peace, after lifetime gwen to his country S
service, he is colonel of the Seventh infantry,
standing first upon the list of colonies In his
arm of the service.
"Shall it be said that such soldiers shall
have no promotion because the eyes of con-
gress are dazzled by the glitterlng of the stars
of the favored few, who now occupy the high
est grades in their profession, or shall we not
rather, having honored them with the full
measure of glory, recognize at last the
worth of those who we're the rounds in the
ladder upon which others hyve assembled to
the ton of tia temnla OF fame.O