The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-01-14

General John B. Gordon died at
1895 Saturday night at his plantation
home, eight miles from Miami, F7ori-
da. ALI the members Of his family
were present when the end came to
the illustrious soldier.
The last moments were apparently
without pain, ard General Gordon
passed away as peacefully as if he
were sinking into a refreshing sleep.
The death struggle began at 7
o'clock At that hour the attending
physicians, announced that death was
only a matter of a few hours.
An examination showed that the
sufferers kidneys were failing to per-
form their. functions. and that urae-
mic poison had set in. From that
hour General Gordon gradually be-
came weaker and weaker, until death
fixed his seal on the beloved soldier.
General Gordon was taken with a
violent chill about 3 o'clock Wednes-
day afternoon, JAM 6, which continued
for half an hour or more. Two ply
sieians were summoned from Miami
by telephone.
The chill was followed by high
fever and when the physicians reach
ed his bedside the generals tempera-
ture was 105. An examination show
ed that he was suffering from acute
Indigestion, followed by congestion Of
the stomach and liver. His condition
was rendered more alarming by per-
sistent hiccoughs. which began Thurs
day. exhausting still further mis-
strength. He also suffered great
II from pains caused by the strained
condition of the stomach owing to mis-
advanced age and previous i'll health.
On Friday his strength gradually
increased and he took some interest
in his surroundings. The secretions
Of the kidneys, however, were not sat
isfactory, and on Friday evening they
we're much below normal.
Saturday the distinguished patients
strength began to gradually ebb away
and it soon became apparent that
death was inevitable.
Brief Sketch of His Life.
Lieutenant General John Brown
Gordon was born in Upson county,
Georgia, July 6, 1882, of Scotch ances
try, his grandfather being one Of sew
en- brothers who immigrated from
Scotland previous to the revolutionary
war, in which they all took part in be-
half of the colonies. The. grandfa.h-
es made his home in Wilkes county,
North Carolina, whence Rev. Zacha-
riah H. Gordon, the father Of General
Gordon, removed to Georgia. Young
Gordon was graduated in 1852 from
the Georgia state University, and a
few months later was admitted to the
practice of law. Early in 1861 he en-
listed with the volunteer confederate
soldierly.
His Military Record.
Began as captain "Raccoon Roughs."
Sixth Alabama Infantry. being pro-
NOTED soon after 70 major
Lieutenant Colonel sixth Alabama
1nfantry-December 20, 1861.
Colonel Sixth Alabama infantry
April %, 1862.
Brigadier General c. S. A.-Novem-
Der /, 1852.
Major General c. S. A.-May "A,
1854.
Lieutenant General, commanding
Second Army Ccrps-January 81, 1865.
Lieutenant General. commanding
left wing Lees Army at Appomat-
tox-April 9, 1865.
Principal battles in which General
Gordon took part were:
Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Sharps-
burg, Charlottesville. Gettysburg,
Wilderness, Spottsylvanis, Monocacy,
Fishers Hill, Cedar Creek. Fort Sted-
man and Appomattox.
He was wounded five times at
Sharpsburg, once at Fort Stedman
and in other battles.
His Services in Peace.
Candidate for governor against Ru-
tus B. Bullock in 1868, at the age Of
Sc Was elected but counted out.
In 1872 was elected to the United
States senate over Alexander H.
Stephens and Benjamin H. Hill.
In 1878 was re eelected to the United
States senate without opposition