The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-26
GENERAL JOHN GORDON.
Commander Of the Veterans and Chief
Marshal Of the Parade.

Marshal OF the Parade.
Certainly one Of the most distinguished
men who will be seen here during the
great reunion is General John b. Cor
don. Commauder-iu-Ch of the United
Confederate Veterans. Few men, If, in
deed. any. are better known and more
generally admired I'm the South than is
General Gordon. lie was a soldier every
inch OF him, and he has one Of the most
brilliant military records in the galaxy
Of heroes who fought bled and even died
Tor the Lost Cause"
As statesman, General Gordon stands
1T the top, and as an orator, he has few
equals In the South. Appropriate II is.
indeed, for a man distinguished in so
many fields OF human effort TO be i'm
command Of the surviving braves who
represented the chivalry. hcroism and
manhood Of the fnrest country beneath
the sun.
TO tell Of General Gordon's brave
deeds during the civil war, TO enuuerate
the battles In which he fought TO give
even an idea OF the brilliant way in
which he has conducted himself as sol
der. statesmen and orator would require
more space than the scope OF this article.
the purpose OF which is 10 give only a
brief sketch Of his life.
General Gordon Is OF Scotch extraction.
and comes OF a prominent family lie
was born i'm Epson county, Georgia.
February g. 1892. His ancestors came from
Scotland 10 Virginia In the seventeenth
century, and were prominent in the days
Of the colonies. During the Revolutionary
war they were prominent officers in the
Continental army. lie was educated at
the University OF Georgia, where he
graduated and afterwards completed a
law course. and. being admitted TO the
bar began practcing with his brother
in-law, l.. J.. Bleckey, afterwards Chief
Justice OF Georgia. In 1854. he married
the daughter of Hon. Hugh Anderson
HARRISON. who represented Georgia in
Congress for many years.
ENTERED THE ARMY.
Tie practiced law with success until
the war broke out. and in 1861 he raised
and uniformed q company Of men for the
Confederate army and was chosen cap
tain. General GOrdOns war record was
remarkable FOR bravery and audacity.
Ills horoism was admired by all his fell
low-soldiers, and he was regarded as one
% the most daring fighters In the Con-
fodciate army. He bears the scars OF
eight wounds received I'm battle. At the
battle OF Sharpsburg. in 1862 he was
severely wounded four times, but remain
ed on the field with his men until the
firth ban struck him full IN the face and
Knocked him senscless. BY his bravery
and military skill he arose 10 the rank OF
Northumberland. and fought with
stubborn valor throughout the war. He
guarded the retreat from Petersburg. and
~ Appomatfox Courthouse was put at
tho head OF the four thousand troops that
were intended 20 cut through General
Sheridans line. which was prevented by
Che surrender o. General Lee.
General Gordon came into especial
prominence towards the end OF the mem
orahle civil strife. when he figured IN
some OF the most noted between the con-
tending armies HIS division. reduced 10
barely 5000 men, was an that remained
when the final surrender was made by
General Lee an Appomattox Courthouse.
HIS POLITICAL CAREER.
After the war General Gordon returned
20 hts native state and resumed the prac-
tice ~ law. In 1865 he was the Demo
cratic candidate for Governor Of Georgia.
and was elected by large majority but
was oustcd by his Republican OPP
ponent Rufus y. Bullock He was
member OF the National Democratic Con-
venion ia New York in 1858 and was
delegate az large TO the National Demo
cratic Convention az Baltimore I'm 1872:
and he was presidential elector for the
State al large az the elections OF 1868 and
is72. IN January. 1873. he was elected 10
the United States Senate for six years.
and took his seat there March 4th. 1873
and was recognized as an eloquent and
leading member Of the Democratic party.
lie wa7 reelected 20 the United States
senate IN 1875. but IN 1880 he resigned his
seat in order to engage in railroad enter
prises.
Tempting business offers were made 70
him, and he quilted politics for a time
In order 10 repair his shattered fortunes.
On July 18th. 1856 he was nominated for
bsvsrnor Of Georgia BIZ the Democratic