The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-17
WHO IS GEN. GORDON?
AN OLD RICHMOND "F" Tells
hBoUr HIS VAR RECORD
The Warriors Battles In Which Hes Ditfn-
guished Hinsslf-His Career Mt Sbarps-
burg-fhe wilderness, &c.

Having belonged to Lieutenant General
John T. Gordon's command during the
war, have been asked frequently Of late
by the young folks, who is General
Gordon?' / viii tell the little know
Of him.
He entered the army as captain In the
Sixth Alabama Regiment OF infantry. At
the battle of Seven Pines and the battles
around Richmond, as colonel OF that
regiment he took a distinguished part in
all the engagements Of ID. II. Hill's COM
mand. and Gen. Hill compliments him
more than once in his official report. His
regiment saved the day at south Noun
tain. and Gen. Hill says in his report:
"Col. Gordon. that Christian hero, ex-
celled his former deeds at Seven Pines
and in the battles around Richmond-our
language is not capable Of expressing
a higher compliment
At Sharpsburg he covered himself with
glory, having received five wounds before
he would leave the field. At ChancellOrs-
Vile he was in the front line that made
the attack on HoOker's rear. and at
Gettysburg he got up time enough on
the first day TO help drive the Nanks
through that town.
At the Wilderness Brigadier-General
Gordon again distinguished himself, and
at Spottsylvania Courthouse on May 18th,
he Il was who led Gen. Lee TO the rear
when the cry went up from the men:
Lee TO the rear" with the remark TO
Gen. Lee that the men were NirGinians
and would drive the enemy back, and wei
dId they do st. He saved the day. and
was made a major-general on the spot.
At Cold Harbor, 1864. he charged with
his little division Of two brigades three
lines of Grants breastworks and captur-
ed over 700 prisoners. and held the WORKS
for three days when Grant abandoned our
front. He took a distinguished part I'D
Early's valley campaign. Al Mohoccdcy
he crossed the river with his little Ill
vision of not over 300 men, and whipped
Lew Wallace's force, estimated at 1900,
and captured so many of his men that
Early had to stop us. as he said he would
not be able TO get along with so many
prisoners.
At WINCHESTER.
At Winchester, September -, 1854. his
division easily whipped sheridan In thelr
front and at cedar Creek his division iord-
ed the Shenandoah twice during the mght
and maze the attack on Sheridan's flank
and rear that routed his army in the
morning At Petersburg he charged and
captured the Yankee fort Steadman, and
at Hatchers Run he drove Grant back
after stubborn fight. At AppomattoX
Courthouse. on the morning Of the sur
render. he sent General Lee a message
that he had fought his command 10
FRAGILE" but 10 show what that frazz.e
could do. they charged a Yankee battery
and captured two Of its guns and we're
bringing them off when the white flag
was raised.
Who is General Gordon ! will say he
was the most gallant man l ever saw on
the battlefield. and that he was the
most distinguished soldier Of the war
having risen from captain 10 lieuteh-
ant-general and was made commander or
the Second corps Oackson's old corps) OF
the Army of Northern Virginia, and when
the war ended he was in command OF
the left wing Of that army.
If YOU want 10 see him in fight here
is something written years ago, I'm which
Won NAV see a man that was familiar 20
his men on every battlefield. on the
skirmish line. in the melee, and where
the battle grew herccst:
1--WE left camp. or rather our bivouac'
near AUddletown early on July 9, 1851
taking the road 10 Frederick city. on
getting near there We marched around
the town and in sight Of IT, II was a
beautiful day I'm this beautiful coun-
try. The sun was bright and hot, nice
breeze blowing kept us from being 100
warm. the air was laden with perfume
Of flowers. the birds singing in bush ana
tree. al the fields were. green with
growing crops; the city with its thrift
ness. looked as If it had just been paint
ed and whitened: a few floating clouds
added effect to the landscape. II was
n day and hour to impress itself upon all
We were quietly marching along. talk
ing about the scene, the day. etc. In |
our march we had left the city IN our
rear. and are nearing the Monoccacy |
a river that runs across the road we |
are marching Oh.
INV YAEKFRs DISPUTE.
1--WE now hear the crack Of muskets !
and almost the same moment the roar |
Of cannon We know what that means: |