The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-08-11
Commander Chief Of United
Cealedersle Veterans Dies
HAD BEEN I'LL SOME TIME
His Health Failed Last Fall During
Campaign for Congress. 10 Which
He Was Elected for Third Term.
Was serving Second Term as Com
msndcr.in-Chief u. c. v.

Memphis, Aug. lO.--GcDeral
George W. Gordon. commander-in-
chief OF the United Confederate
Veterans and member OF congress.
died al his home here at o'clock
yesterday afternoon Ills illness
dated from his last political cam
paign when he was reelected to the
national house OF representatives. the
last general OF the Confederaey TO
serve In that body.
George Washington Gordon was
born In Giles county. Tennessee. oe-
tober 3. 1896. IN his early boyhood
his parents removed 20 Texas. and
later TO Mississippi. but as q youth.
he returned 20 Tennessee and en-
tered the Western Military Academy,
from which he was graduated In
1853. His FIRST activity was as a
civil engineer.
Al the outbreak OF the civil war.
General Gordon enlisted as drill mas
ter Of the Eleventh Tennessee ln.
fantry. c. s. A. within a few weeks
hc vas made captain and Was later
promoted TO be- lieutenant colonel
and in about year. was commits
stoned colonel. In 1864 he Was nam-
ed brigadler general tie partici-
pnted with distinction In 0 number of
sngagements. and al enc time was
taken prisoner.
At tho close OF the war. General
Gordon studied and practiced Law.
In 1883. he was appointed member
Of the Tennessee railroad commission
and In 1855 an attache 81 the federal
department OF the interior, serving
four years IN the Indian country.
AZ the end of President Clevcland's i
hrSt term. he returned 20 Memphis
and resumed the practice OF Law He
was elected a member of the sixileth
congress from the tenth Tennessee
district and reelected 20 the slAty-
trst and sixfy-second congresses.
General Gordon was chosen com.
mRnder-ln-ehicf OF the United Con.
federate Veterans at the reunion ~
1910 NJ Mobile. lie was reelected
20 that position AZ the 1911 reunion
n Little Rock. last May.
Immediately following the close Of
hts kst political campaign. General
Gordop's health began 20 fail Asth.
ma 10 severe form developed. Not.
withstandinE the poor state of his
health, he attended the sessions OF
congress aud bis sigor was partially
restored.
Just before the Little Rock re-
union. be suffered an attack Of pto-
maine poisoning and against The ad.
vice of physicians aud the wishes ~
relatives. insisted on attending The
Reunion, While IN Little Rock be
became very weak and took but small
part IN the reunion affairs
Several weeks ago General Gordon
went 90 n northern health resort. hut
hts health did mot Improve and he
ertufned tn Tennessee. lie spent
several days IN the country and hs
was brought 10 Memphis last Mon.
day liraemia developed and IN his
weakened condition he could moi
Withstand The added complications
sscn. Walker suesccds ten. doidon.
New Orleans. AUG 10 A. the
next schlor officer of the late General
George W. Gordon. Lieutenant Cen
sral Z. Irvine Walker. of Charleston
= G.. assumed command Of the Uni.
ted Confederate Veterans IN orders
Issued yesterday through the nilirs
of William y. Micklc. adiutant gen.
eral and chief Of stan. Genera
walker paid loving tribute 20 The
memory ot General Gordon and hi,
service "a a Confederate soldier
The stan OF the late commander.
in-thicf Il constituted M tho stan ol
General Walker.
In General Order No. 2. Maioi
General Robcrt White, commandlnt
the West virginia Division t'nitct