B. Frank Gordon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Franklin Gordon
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| Born | May 18, 1826 Henry County, Tennessee |
| Died | September 22, 1866 (aged 40) Waverly, Missouri |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States Confederate States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1848 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Private, USA Colonel, CSAAssigned to duty as:  Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Benjamin Franklin Gordon (born May 18, 1826 – died September 22, 1866) was an important soldier. People often called him B. Frank Gordon. He served as a colonel in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
Before the Civil War, Gordon was a private soldier. He was also a bugler in the U.S. Army. He fought in the Mexican–American War. During the Civil War, Gordon served under General Joseph O. "Jo" Shelby. They fought in Missouri and Arkansas.
Near the end of the war, on May 16, 1865, General E. Kirby Smith gave Gordon a special assignment. He was asked to serve as a brigadier general. However, this promotion was not made official. The Confederate government was ending, and its president, Jefferson Davis, was captured. Gordon died just over a year after the war ended. He was only 40 years old.
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Early Life and Adventures
Benjamin Franklin Gordon was born in Henry County, Tennessee. This happened on May 18, 1826. When he was five, his family moved. They settled in Lafayette County, Missouri, in 1831. His father, Thomas W. Gordon, was a farmer. He later became a judge for the Lafayette County Court.
B. Frank Gordon joined the army early in his life. He was a private and bugler in the Mexican–American War. After that war, in 1849, he went to California. He hoped to find gold there. This was during the famous California Gold Rush.
Later, he returned to Waverly, Missouri. He started a business selling goods. In 1858, he opened his own store. He sold medicines and groceries. His wife's name was Sarah Henton.
Fighting in the Civil War
B. F. Gordon quickly joined the pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard. This was at the start of the Civil War. He became an important officer, reaching the rank of major. He was badly wounded at the Battle of Wilson's Creek.
In 1862, Gordon helped Jo Shelby create a new group of cavalry soldiers. These were horse-mounted troops. This group became the 5th Missouri Cavalry Regiment. Shelby became its colonel, and Gordon became the lieutenant colonel. When Shelby took charge of a larger group, Gordon took command of the 5th Missouri Cavalry.
His regiment fought bravely at the Battle of Prairie Grove. This battle happened on December 7, 1862. Shelby praised Gordon for his courage in the fight.
Leading Raids and Battles
In early 1863, Gordon's regiment joined raids into Missouri. These raids were led by Confederate Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke. Gordon even led Shelby's group during the Little Rock Campaign. This was in August and September 1863. Shelby was recovering from a wound at the time.
Later in 1863, Gordon's regiment joined Shelby's Great Raid. This was a long journey through Missouri. Gordon became a full colonel on December 15, 1863. This happened when Shelby was promoted to brigadier general.
In 1864, Gordon's men fought against the Union Army. They were part of the Camden Expedition. Gordon led several charges against Union forces. On April 25, 1864, he led his regiment at the Battle of Marks' Mills. They captured two Union cannons there. The Confederates won this battle, taking many prisoners and wagons.
Gordon's regiment also won battles at Searcy, Arkansas and Helena, Arkansas. They defeated Union forces in both places.
Price's Missouri Expedition
From August to December 1864, Gordon joined Major General Sterling Price's raid into Missouri. This was a big effort to take back Missouri. Price's forces were badly defeated at the Battle of Westport. Gordon's regiment fought well but had to escape.
Gordon's men also helped protect the retreating Confederate army. They slowed down the Union pursuit. This happened after Price's forces lost battles at Battle of Mine Creek and the Second Battle of Newtonia.
After this raid, Shelby was given command of a larger group. Gordon then took permanent command of Shelby's "Iron Brigade." The war was ending, and communication was difficult. So, Gordon's promotion to brigadier general was not made official by the Confederate government. General E. Kirby Smith gave him the assignment as a brigadier general on May 16, 1865. This was mostly a symbolic gesture, as the war was almost over.
After the War
After the Civil War ended, Gordon went to Mexico with Jo Shelby. Many Confederate soldiers went to Mexico after the war. They faced challenges there. Gordon soon decided to return to Missouri. This decision saved him from some of the difficulties others faced in Mexico.
Sadly, Benjamin Franklin Gordon did not live long after the war. He died on September 22, 1866. He passed away in Waverly, Missouri. He is buried in the Waverly Cemetery there.
