Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-23
GENERAL GORDON IS 81 TODAY,
SERVED IN LINCOLN GUARD
Last Survivor of Unit.
Health Good Despite
Advanced Age.
Fought in Civil War and in
Indian Cam
paigns.

Brig. ca. David Stuart Gordon. last
survivor of the famous Frontier
Guards" today is celebrating his
ninety-seventh birthday. He is the
oldest living person to have held a COM
mission in the United States Army.
At his home, at s04 Flower avenue,
Takoma Park, Md, Gen. Gordon was
creasing years that keep him confined
to his bed except on rare occasions. He
retired from active service 81 years ago
on account of "old age"
Born May 30, 1892 in Franklin Coun-
ty, near Greencastle, Pa, Gen. Gordon
was appointed second lieutenant in the
I'd Dragons, April 10. 1861. During
the Civil War he received promotion,
and within two months attained the
rank Of first lieutenant. He opened the
first fight at Fairfax Court House, June
l. 1861, and later engaged in the
Gettysburg campaign, being breveted
for meritorious service in that en-
counter. On July 81. 1861, he was cap
tured at the first battle Of Bull Run,
after being wounded by a gun-shot
charge in the right leg Incarcerated
Is months in various prisons in the
South, including the famous Libby
1852, at Annapolis, Nd.
Formed to Protect Lincoln.
He had served with the famous
Frontier Guard" which was organized
after the inauguration of President
Lincoln to serve as body guard to pre-
tect the latter from assassination. Un-
der the command of the late Senator
James H. Lane, who was captain, the
White House until 1t entered active
service.
At the time of Lincolns assassination
Gen. Gordon was stationed at Winches-
ter, Va, and, learning of the tragedy,
posted pickets along the roads leading
in from Washington In hopes of cap
turing John Wilkes Booth, the assassin.
At the close of the Civil War, Gen.
Gordon served in the Indian campaigns
and was at one time stationed at Fort
Leavenworth, Kan. Buffalo Bill Cody,
a mere youth at the time, also was sta
toned at the fort and served under
Gen. Gordon.
Engaged In frontier service, Gen.
Gordon campaigned with Gray Fox"
Crook Custer and other famous Indian
fighters. He was member of the unit
which went to punish the Sioux for
the massacre Of Custer and his msn,
lieved Maj. Fetterman'S command at
Fort Phil Kearney. after the massacre
of that officer and many Of his men
by the Sioux, under Red Cloud.
Hundreds of miles were covered by
him and his men on the long march
in Winter with temperatures Of 10 to
| 40 degrees below zero. He reached Fort
Phil Kearny without the loss Of man.
| although every horse on the expedition
| died or was killed.
Commanded Fort Myer.
At the close of the campaign he
served four years in command of Fort
Myer, and at the age of "a he was
| automatically retired from service with
the rank Of colonel, after having served
II years as major. Is years as captain
and several years as lieutenant.
Shortly after his retirement. Gen.
Gordon lived In San Francisco, and
was in that city during the earthquake
and fire In 1906. Prior to that time
he had been given the rank of brigadier
general, retired, under a special act of
Congress. April 23, 1901
Following the San Francisco earth
quake he moved to Washington, where
he has made his home since.
Five years ago, friends implored the
general to take a ride In an airplane.
Gen. Gordon declared he possessed no
desire to ride in one Of the new con-
traptions." but finally consented on
condition that the pilot would return to
the ground when Gen. Gordon gave the
signal.
The roar Of the planes motor dis
turbed him, but he made no effort to
stop the flight until the plane took of
Then he gave the signal. Three feet
from the ground in an airplane is the
extent Of Gen. Gordon's altitude record.
Active Until Few Years Ago.
Recently Gen. Gordon has become
unable to leave his home. but 1t is said
that until few years ago he was ex-
tremely active. Standing at a downtown
corner one afternoon, Gen, Gordon OBJ
served an aged man, confused by traffic,
Gordon asked If he could be of any
assistance, and as the man consented,
took his arm and led him through the
traffic Reaching the other side, the
other man remarked:
When you get as old as I am, these
new machines become nuisance, and
it is hard to cross the street without
assistance"
yes" replied the general. IT suppose
1t is when one gets to be your age.
How old are you?"
Il am U.s." was the answer
"You do need help" declared Gen.
Gordon. Il am 95 myself"
Gen. Gordon was twice married, but
both wives died In recent years. He has
two sons. Charles Hughes Gordon and
p. K. Gordon. and daughter, Mrs.
Dean Shook. all Of California, and
dent Of the Riggs National Bank.