George Henry Gordon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Henry Gordon
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Brig. Gen. George H. Gordon
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| Born | July 19, 1823 Charlestown, Massachusetts |
| Died | August 30, 1886 (aged 63) Framingham, Massachusetts |
| Place of burial |
Framingham Centre, Framingham, Massachusetts
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1854, 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
George Henry Gordon (born July 19, 1823 – died August 30, 1886) was an American lawyer. He also served as a Union general during the American Civil War.
Early Life and Education
George Henry Gordon was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. When he was five years old, he moved to Framingham, Massachusetts, with his mother. He later attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1846.
After graduating, Gordon served in the Mexican–American War. He fought under Lieutenant General Winfield Scott. He was recognized for his bravery at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. For his actions, he received a special honorary promotion called a brevet to first lieutenant. He left the army in 1854. Later, he studied law at Harvard Law School and became a lawyer in Boston.
Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, George Gordon helped create the 2nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He became its colonel, which is a high-ranking officer. His regiment helped guard the Potomac River and Frederick, Maryland.
In the spring of 1862, Gordon served under Major General Nathaniel P. Banks. They tried to stop Major General Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, but they were not successful. On June 12, 1862, Gordon was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers.
Gordon led a group of soldiers called a brigade in the XII Corps. This group was part of the Army of the Potomac. He fought at the Battle of Antietam. During this battle, he even took charge of a larger group of soldiers, becoming an acting division commander. After the Battle of Gettysburg, he was moved to command the 1st Division of the XI Corps. This group was sent to South Carolina, where he commanded troops on Folly Island.
From November 1864, Gordon served in the Department of Virginia. He led the Eastern District of this department until he left the army in August 1865. In 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Gordon for an honorary promotion to brevet major general. The U.S. Senate approved this award.
After the War
After the Civil War ended, George Gordon went back to being a lawyer in Boston. He also helped start the Military Historical Society of Massachusetts. He wrote several books about his experiences and the war, including:
- History of the Second Massachusetts Regiment (published in 1876)
- History of the Campaign of the Army of Virginia under Gen. John Pope from Cedar Mountain to Alexandria (published in 1880)
- A War Diary of the Events of the War of the Great Rebellion, 1863-65 (published in 1882)
- Brook Farm to Cedar Mountain (published in 1883)
George Gordon passed away in Framingham, Massachusetts. He is buried in Framingham Centre.
See also
In Spanish: George Henry Gordon para niños
