The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-11-29

A"Nauie appearance In public life was
as member of the state senate from
onlckasaw county during the varda-
man administration.
did not know what Governor Noel
wanted with me-" said Colonel Cor
uon after his commission had been
maze out, when the governor told
me That had been appointed United
STATES senator, you could have knocked
me down with feather"
Then followed the long and famous
deadlock In the legislature, with sew
en- candidates after the senatorial
toga' and afterwards still more famous
as the secret caucus" Colonel Cor.
don was not an aspirant for the un-
expired term of McLaurins stating that
ne would serve only until the legisla-
lure could name his successor.
AT the outbreak of the Civ,, War
Ooionel Gordon was a man of con-
siderable wealth, reputed to be worth
nearly a million dollars. He promptly
lreed all of his slaves, and, at a per-
sonal expense of over $4,000, organ
izea and equipped the Chickasaw Rang
ers, afterwards known as Company B
OF the jeff Davis Legion. He served
under General Stewart for twelve
months, and during the second year of
the war was sent home to raise an
other regiment. 1t was the plan of the
Confederate leaders to organize an
other legion, to be placed under the
command Of Joe Davis, brother of JEFF
Iersoh Davis. Colonel Gordon succeed
ed IN raising a regiment OF cavalry,
afterwards known as the Second Mis-
sissipp' In the meantime the Con-
federate Congress had passed an act
reorganizing the army and abolishing
legions. Colonel Gordon was then as
sieped with his command to Jackson's
division, Yam Dorm corps OF cavalry,
General Armstrong; brigade. After
General Van Dorm was killed, Colonel
Gordon served under General NJ B.
Forrest.
During the year 1864, Colonel Cor
don was sent to Europe by President
Davis on a secret diplomatic mission.
On his return, while attempting to
ruin the blockade at Wilmington, N.
C., he was captured and made prison
er OF war. On the End of February,
1865, he escaped from the prison shin
and made his way to New York where
no reported to Jacob Thompson. who
sent him on through to Canada.
There was rumor current about
this time that Colonel Gordon was In
some way connected with the assassi-
nation of President Lincoln, because
of former acquaintance with J.
Wilkes Booth, and the United States
government made desperate effort to
have him brought back to this country.
Colonel Gordon denied that he had any
connection with the murder plot, and,
through the friendly offices OF the
commander of New York cavalry reg
iment, he was permitted to return and
surrender with the honors OF war.
Colonel Gordon then returned to his
Mississippi home, penniless, where he
was once man Of wealth. He was at
times active in the political affairs OF
his country, had served in the legisla-
ture several years prior to the out.
break of the Civil War, and in 1873 was
again elected to the lower houee, serv-
ing two terms. In 1886 he was again
sent to the legislature.
Colonel Gordon was born In Monroe
county, near Quincy, on December 6,
1888. His ancestors were English and
Scotch first settling in Virginia and
then coming to Mississippi. He was
devout member of the Presbyterian
church, Mason, Pythiah, Templar and
Odd Fellow.
In 1856 Colonel Gordon was married |
o Caroline Virginia Wiley of Lafayette
county. His wife and two children,
Mrs. Annie Gordon barrow of Mem
ohis and Robert Gordon OF Little Rock
survive him.