Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-29

was born in Walker county, Ca, Feb. 6.
1892. His family is of Scotch descent.
He was educated at the University of
Georgia, but did not remain at that lnsti-
tuition to graduate. He wanted to get
married, it seems, and did not want to
wait until he graduated. He studied law,
but did not give much attention TO that
profession. lie turned his attention To
business, and became interested in coal
mining in North Alabama. He had a
great liking for politics, however, and al
most every campaign OF any Importance
found him on the stump.
At the time that Georgia passed the Or
dinance of secession he was in Millcdge-
Vile, and when Alabama went out of the
Union be was AT Montgomery. He raised
a cavalry company for the Confed-
crate service IN Jackson county, Ala
bama. where he was engaged
in coal mining. There was no demand
for cavalry at that time and so he formed
an infantry company, which was accept
ed by the Governor OF the State. This
company became known as the "RaccOOn
ROughs" This company became "A part
of the Sixth Alabama regiment, Of watch
Capt. Gordon was elected Major, subse-
quently Lieutenant Colonel, and, in 1862,
at 1OrktoWn, Va, Colonel.
The current number Of the Southern
Cultiyator contains quite an interesting
sketch Of Gen. GOrdOn's career as a sol
der. 1t says that the first serious en-
gagement IN which his regiment partici-
pat d was that OF ''Seven Pines" where
It made a glorious record. More than
twO-thirds of the command are said
to nave been killed or wounded.
The Lieutenant Colonel, the Ma
jor and the Adjutant were among
the former. The horses Of the
mounted officers were also killed, that
ridden 10y Col, Gordon being the last to
fall. The heaviest fatality occurred when,
having taken the Federal bleastworks,
the regiment was ordered to drive the
enemy from dense swamp, strongly for
titled by temporary barriers of fallen
trees. 1t was while CALAMITY leading
this charge that Col. GordOn's horse was
fatally SHOT and soon after fell under him
10 the midst Of heavy musketry fire of
the opposing forces. His escape from
death was most remarkable. as cut of 600
men 1916 were killed or wounded. one
company OF forty members having only
ten survivors.
In the seven days battles around
RichmOud, and the Malvern Hill CONFLICT.
Col. Gordon commanded ROdes' brigade
and led the desperate charge upon the
Federal batteries for a half mile through
an open field, his troops being first in the
charge, IN consequence OF which his dead
were lett nearer the enemy's guns than
those OF any other Confederate command.
His losses were very heavy in killed ana
wounded, yet the survivors readily raj
he'd at the call OF their leader. and in the
battle OF BOonsbOrO, or South Mountain,
he again distinguished himself at their
head. Gen. ROdes, in his official report
declared that Col. Gordon handled his
regiment IN manner he had never seen
equalled during toe war; aud Gen. ID. II.
Hill reported that Col. Gordon, the Chris
tIan hero, eXcelled his former deeds at the
Seven Pines and in the battles around
Richmond. Gen. Hill said his language
was not capable Of expressing higher
compliment.
1t was on the field Of Sharpsburg, how
ever, that Gen. Gordon gave unmistakable
evidence OF his great qualities as a sol
der. In the disposition for the battle
Hordon's regiment occupied a salient
place in the Confederate line. 1t was his
habit before taking his men INTO action To
make few remarks designed to act upon
their imaglnations and raise their entbu-
slasm. AS Gen. ID. Ii. Hill WAS riding
along the line just before the fight began.
looking with evident concern at the weak
portions of it, Gordon, anxious to
strengthen his men IN their determine.
ton to hold their position, exclaimed:
"Gen. Hill, you need not fear for this pOr-
ton OF the line; these men are going TO
stay here" The men caught the spirit OF
the words and the assurance was carried
along the line: "Yes, we have come to
stay"
Immediately after the battle became
fierce and the slaughter appalling. Line
after line OF the enemy was repulsed by
this heroic regiment, with "a deadly lire
both on its front and right flank. Only
six men from the whole right wing es-
capped. Col. Gordon was twice wounded
early in the fight, two balls passing
through his right leg, but he refused TO
leave the field. An hour later be was shot
again, ball passing through his lett arm,
making painful and terrible wound,
from which he bled proiusely. la
this shocked and weakened condition, an
Dtber ball penetrated bis shoulder near
the previous wound, vet he refused 70
leave the held, pre- erring to stand by his
few surviving comrades 30 the BLOODY
contest. But coon after fifth ball struck