The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-13
GEN. join B. GORDON DEAD.
The Close of an EventfuI and
Distinguished Career---Com-
nnander- in Chief of the Con-
federate Veterans.

Allan Ga, Ga, Jan. S.-hlSub. 0oA.
John Brown Gordon died at his winter
home near Miami, Fla. at 1905 to-
night. His fatal illness, which over
took him last Wednesday, was conges-
tion of the stomach and liver, follow
ing an acute attack Of indigestion, to
which he vas subject.
The beginning of the. end occurred
this afternoon, serious compllcatlons
setting in, land by night his physl
clans had abndoned all hope, as his
kidneys refused to secrete, and uramlc
poisoning was very decided. his death
was quiet. He fell peacefully to sleep
and all was over.
Gen. Gordon became i'll Wednesday
afternoon last with acute indigestion.
He had suffered from the same troubie
il Mississippi many months ago. At
II O'Clock Thursday morning con-
sultation of physicians was held, and
it was found that he was seriously and
critically ill. His son, Maj. Hugh
Gordon, who resided at Biscayne, was
with him. A telegram was sent to his
daughter, Mrs. Burton Smith OF
A Atlanta, calling her to his bedside.
She was with him when ne died.
Gen. Gordon grew steadily worse until
today. when he was unconscious most
of the time.
Gen. and Mrs. Gordon had been in
Florida this winter only three weeks
before his death. His health had
been unusually good prior to his fatal
attack. !.
Gen. Gerdon's body will be shipped
to his home at Kirkwood. near At
lants, Ga, tomorrow night, leaving
here q 8 o'clock. The party will reach
Atlanta Monday afternoon.
Gen. Gordon was born in Epson
county, Ca, July 6, 1882, of Scotch
ancestry. which had prominent part
in the Revolutionary war.
Young Gordon graduated from the
Georgia State university, and few
months later was admitted to the
practice of law. Early in 1851 he
enlisted in the volunteer Confederate
service, and was elected captain of his
company. He rose rapidly by promo
tion to be lieutenant colonel OF the
Sixth Alabama infantry, in Dec. 1861.
He participated in the struggle on the
peninsula, had part in the battle at
Malvern Hill and was commissioned
brigadier general in Nov, 1852. He
was in command. at Charlottesville
and in the peninsula campaign. He
was at the battle of Gettysburg, the
battle of the Wilderness, at Spottsyl-
vania Court House. In May, 1854,
was promoted to be major general,
and took part in the important battles
which marked the closing scenes of
the Civil war. His bearing was
characterized by boldness and dash
which made him the idol of his soldiers
Ia an official report Of Gen. D. n.
Hill, Gen. Gordon was characterized
as the Chevalier Bayard Of the Con-
federcy."
When hostilities were ended he called
his men about him and advised them
to bear the trial Of defeat, to go home
in peace. obey the laws and rebuild
the wasted country. He has taken a
prominent part in the councils Of his
party since 1865. He was defeated
candidate for governor Of Georgia in
1868, and in 1878 and 1879 was elected
to the United States senate. hesign-
ing that position in 1880, he partici-
pated actively in building the Georgia
Pacific railroad. In 1885 and 1888 he
was elected governor of Georgia, and
in 1890 entered again the United
States senate for the full term. Since
his retirement from political activity
he has devoted much of his time to
lecturing, presenting to the north as
we'll as the south his lecture upon
The Last Days of the Confederacy. !"
Since the organization of the United
Confederate Veterans ne has held The
position of commander in chief, and
his frequent reflections to that posi-
tion have testified to the warm of
affection in which he has been held in
the south.