The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-08-08

gave the name OF MS commander, has
since been developed into the prosper
Gus city of Bragg, California.
The enlisted soldiers of that day were
almost without exception foreign born
Germans and Irish for the most part.
The Irish, the General recalls, made
wonderful soldiers. They could under
go the hardships of any sort of cam
paign without complaint. The Ger
mans. though they did well enough in
the drills, were virtually worthless in
action. They lacked stamina and were
unwilling to 20 for long on short rations
Among the Younger officers with
Lieutenant Gibson in California were
three whose names were to become
famous. They were Crook, Sheridan
and Hood.
Crook says the General, Twas the
only one who gave indication of great
future-and that only as an Indian
fighter. Sheridan was an educated
Irishman-a good soldier because he
was Irish and better one because he
was educated. Hood was a pleasant
fellow. but displayed little genius.
The news of the attack on Fort
Sumpter came as shock to California.
Gibson, with number of his comrades,
volunteered for active service in the
East. He was made a Captain and
given command of a battery in the
Army of the Potomac. He served the
army under three successive command
ers and was on intimate terms with
each of them. He gives rather inter-
esting sidehghts on their characters.
Mcclellan. the General thought, was
the best soldier of the war with the
possible exceptions of Lee and Sher-
man. Though a politician he never
allowed politics to conflict with his
duty as a soldier" General Gibson
says. When he was relieved of COM
mand, the spirit of his troops was badly
damaged.
Hooker was good soldier, but
scarcely good Lieutenant General. He
could command perfectly a corps of
brigade, but an army was too much for
him. He was man of free and easy"
temperament and much admired by his
young officers.
Burnside was classmate and a close
friend to Gibson. A man of much learn
ing, gentle, courteous, brave, he lacked
the directing power of military genius.
In spite of his many defeats he man.
aged to keep the regard and respect of
his officers.
In the early part of 1868, Gibson was
made Colonel of a regiment of Ohio
volunteers. He was in command of a
thousand men when he surrendered. A
short time before he had been breveted
a brigadier-general. He had been COM
mended for bravery at Fredericksburg,
Antietam, South Mountain and Will
liamsburg. The remainder of his mill
tarv life was spent in the serene at
mosphere of Atlantic fortresses. He
was retired from the active list IN May
1891, Through his membership in the
Aztec Club he made the acquaintance
of General Joseph Eggleson johnson,
against whom he had fought in many
engagements. A sincere friendship was
formed between the Union veteran and
the old Confederate which lasted until
the death of the latter.
Considering the fact that he lacks but
few years of the century mark, age
has but lightly touched the General.
He says of himself, II look like a Young
man of sixty-fve, but | feel nearly as
old as | am. After his morning walk,
he spends most of the day upon his I'M
published manuscripts or in reading.
Once a week he reports at the Army
Medical DispensarY to be looked over
by surgeon. Each year he is given
"orders'' by the Secretary of War to
report at the Commencement Exercises
as West Point.