| |
REMINISCENCES OF THE CIVIL WAR
BY JOHN B.
GORDON
| These on-line excerpts from Confederate General
John B. Gordon's memoirs are based on the original 1903 edition published by
Scribner's, New York. General Gordon began the war as a civilian coal mine
developer in Northwestern Georgia. He was a lawyer by discipline and practiced
law for a time in Atlanta. Upon the outbreak of war he headed a group of
mountain men and volunteers who were eventually assigned to the Sixth Alabama
Regiment. After that, Gordon's education and intelligence assured a rapid rise
through the ranks. He fought with great distinction at the battle of Antietam,
commanded a brigade in General Early's division at the battle of Gettysburg and
was the distinguished Confederate officer saluted by Joshua Chamberlain at
Appomattox in 1865: |
|
|
"At the sound of that machine-like snap of arms, General
Gordon started, caught in a moment of its significance, and instantly assumed
the finest attitude of a soldier. He wheeled his horse, facing me, touching him
gently with the spur, so that the animal slightly reared, and, as he wheeled,
horse and rider made one motion, the horse's head swung down with a graceful
bow, and General Gordon dropped his sword-point to his toe in
salutation."
Joshua L. Chamberlain |
|
- Chapter 3 - Manassas or Bull
Run
- The first great battle of the war—Mishaps and
mistakes of the Confederates—Beauregard's lost order—The most
eccentric officer in the Confederate army— Anecdotes of his
career—The wild panic of the Union troops— Senseless frights that
cannot be explained.
- Chapter 7 -
Antietam
- Restoration of McClellan to command of the
Federals—My command at General Lee's centre—Remarkable series of
bayonet charges by the Union troops—Bravery of the Union commander—A
long struggle for life.
WTJ Editor's Note - General
Gordon's involvement in the post war effort to discredit General Longstreet is
difficult to evaluate. In these memoirs, Gordon is certainly more forgiving of
Ewell's error on the first day of Gettysburg than of Longstreet's decisions on
the third day. Because he is more neutral than many of Longstreet's other
critics, it is difficult to divine his own intent on the
issue.
- Chapter 11 (first half) -
Gettysburg
- Why General Lee crossed the Potomac—The movement
into Pennsylvania—Incidents of the march to the Susquehanna—The first
day at Gettysburg—Union forces driven back—The key of the
position—Why the Confederates did not seize Cemetery Ridge
|
|
