The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-08
COLONEL GEO. PORTER,
IN Nashville Bann&n

the last meeting OF the Tennessee HIS
torioai Society Tuesday. the 1zth fnst.
II was the presentation Of the sword
used By General Gordon during ME
the battle flag OF his regiment, the
Eleventh Tennessee Infantry, OF
cheatharn's Division. Army of Tonnes
zee. The presentation was made by
Captain John Hickman. general COM
rnandinE the Division of Tennessee
Confederate Veterans. ana was receiv-
ed by General Gates p. Thurston,
president Of the society and command
ing general Of the Grand Arfy of the
Republic. The two addresses were
suitable and appropriate. full OF ratnos
and patriotic sentiment and highly
appreciated both by the eitissns and
soldiers who were present; well worthy
both OF the speakers ana Of the sub
sect matter.
The sword ana Gag were vfiled 10
the society by General Gordon In words
ss follow:
II bequeath the tatteret. bullet
pierced and blood stained battlenag OF
the Eleventh Tennessee Infantry Reg
iment, which I had the honor TO com
rnand in the Confederate army for
more than two years. TO the Tennessee
Historical Society at Nashville. Tenn.
TO be placed with the fass OF the
other Tennessee regiments: and also
the sabre worn by me while serving
in the Confederate army"
No nag waved more proudly over
desperate scenes than this one; no
sword cleaned more valiantly either
in victory or defeat than his. No sol
der ever rode more calamity and fear
lessly 70 battle than he whose men,
DRY these relies are intended to per.
peruate.
knew him we'll a. colonel OF this
splendid infantry regiment. terving
IN the same division-Cheatham's-
during our Civil War. 1t was in the
capacity OF colonel that his reputation
as q soldier chiefly rests. and a re-
view Of some OF the leading features
his regiment 10 the object and pur-
pose OF this brief sketch.
Trcn RsSertson Coaaty.
The Eleventh Tennessee Regiment
vas organised on May q; 1881. a.,
Camp Chatham. In Robertson County,
Captain James =. Rains Of the ffermi-
tags Guards. being elected colonel
Gordon Joined this regiment and be-
came drill master In June following
In July II was ordered 10 HAynesvflls.
East Tennessee. Hare . vacancy &C.
CURED b. the resignation OF captain
Woodward, Of Company /. and Gordon
was elected In his place Al this time
the regiment was ordered 90 Cumber-
land Gap and placed under the com
nand OF General ZollicoreT. II did
rot participate In the unfortunate ex-
petition of Fishing Creek. but re-
manned In garrison at the Gap until
May 1852, when q reorganization was
effected. James z. Rains was re-
elected colonel and Captain Gordon
lie-tsnant-colonsl. This regiment
Joined the army II General Bragg at
Harrodsourg. KY. and retreated with
him TO Knoxville. AT this place COL
onel Rains was promoted TO origadier-
general. and Lieutenant-CoIonei Cor
don became colonel OF his regiment
II was then moved with the army TO
Murfreesboro and participated IN that
battle on December Il, 1852 Here
General Rains was killed and Colone!
Gordon so badly wounded that ne nad
20 be carried from the field. and on
the retreat Of Braggs army TO shelby
viii. was captured by the enemy 81
Hfurfreesboro. In the latter part d
May. 1853, he was exchanged ana
Joined MS regiment while the army
was at Shelbyviile-
After I'll. death OF Rains a new bri-
Th,-teenth. One Hundred ami PIT. :
fourth. Twelfth. Forty-seventh ana
Eleventh Tennessee Regiments. ana
placed under the command OF HriSa-
6,er-Generai Preston smith. 81 CHEAT
hams Division, and thus remeineo un-
~ the close OF the war. II took rart
In IN. two days battle OF Chicka-
rausua. General Smith being killed
In the famous night attack OF the trst
days battle. The senior colonel = J.
vaughan, was soon promoted 20 Bris-
sdier-gsnersl and put IN command IT
fhi. brigade After the battle y Mis-
s!onarv Ridge. the retreat or Bragg
army followed. and remained at Dali
ton. Ca. during the winter OF issS-'ss.
Here q re-enlistment OF the army took
place General Bragg vas relieved OF
n. command. and General Joseph T.
Johnston put IN h's stead
Important Novements
Early IN Nav. 1865. the forward
movement Of sherman ana the retre4,
os Johnston began. resulting Ia the
.neagemsnts Of Resaca- Calhoun. New
Hope. Kennessw Mountain DEAD
Angle. Peachtree Creek. the I'd OF
Juiv. ana Jonesborc. After thc cross
t,r Of the hattshoochie. General
Johnston vas removed and General
HOOD placed IN command OF the army.
Here General Vaughan was badly
wounded and retired from service. and
Colonel Cor.ion. being promoted 20 the
rank OF br.gadier. was placed " COM
ynsr5 Of the brigade. Lieutenant-Col-
onei : A. Long was then put IN com
rnand % the regiment and Captain !.
= rInns. Company y. % this city. was
promoted - major.
w. y Mathis. now % Ssshviiis. hr,r
lieutenant Of Company e. from Dick
son County. wss made adiutsnt Then
followed the bloody battle % the 20
~ July. In which Msjor-Censral Nc
rherson vas KILLED. the advance % The
I~ff wing % Sherman's army checked.
srd his movement then Transferred %
the LEFT tank % the Confederate army.
a. Witch fhs battle - JonesccTo oc-
r--~~.F ~ So 1fef % August 1884