Gordon, John Brown, 1832-1904

John Brown Gordon (1832-1904), Confederate General, Georgia Governor (1886-1890), and U.S. Senator (1873-1880, 1891-1897), born in Upson County, Georgia.

From the description of Letters to Henry F. Emery, 1901-1903. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 38478315

One of Georgia's most renowned political and military figures of the nineteenth century, John Brown Gordon was born on a plantation situated along the banks of the Flint River in Upson County on February 6, 1832. As a child he moved with his family to Walker County, in the northwestern corner of the state, where his father operated a coal mine. Gordon attended the University of Georgia, achieving senior status in only two years (1851-52). He held the highest grade point average of his class but inexplicably dropped out before graduation. Moving to Atlanta in 1854, Gordon married and read law but attracted few clients, forcing him to return to his father's mine, which he was managing when the Civil War erupted in 1861. ... He won election as governor of Georgia (1886-90) and again as a U.S. senator (1891-97). Along with former Confederate leaders Alfred H. Colquitt and Joseph E. Brown, Gordon formed the so-called Bourbon Triumvirate, which dominated Georgia politics for nearly a quarter of a century." - "John B. Gordon." New Georgia Encyclopedia. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org (Retrieved August 1, 2008)

From the description of John B. Gordon letter, 1890. (University of Georgia). WorldCat record id: 276867637

Confederate Army officer and U.S. Senator, from Atlanta, Ga.

From the description of Papers, 1872-1949; (bulk 1877-1899). (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19657405

United States senator from Georgia.

From the description of Autograph document signed : [n.p.], to the President [Cleveland?], [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269561380

From the description of Autograph letter signed on U.S. Senate Chamber stationery : "Kirkwood," to an unidentified judge, [no year] June 8. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269577330

Born in Upson City, Ga.; lawyer; enlisted as captain, Company I, 6th Alabama Infantry in 1861; promoted to major general (14 May 1864) and commanded Early's Division, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.

From the description of Autograph letter signed, 1864 May 27. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70972828

From the description of John Brown Gordon Civil War letter, 1864 May 27. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 166428734

John Brown Gordon (1832-1904) was a soldier and statesman. Gordon was born in Upson County, Georgia to Rev. Zacharian Herndon Gordon and Melinda Cox. His great great-grandfather, Adam Gordon, emigrated from Aberdeenshire, Scotland in 1760, settling near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Gordon studied at the University of Georgia in 1853. However, he did not graduate. He studied law privately, and was admitted to the Georgia bar, practicing law in Atlanta, Georgia. Gordon was involved in the development of coal mines in northwest Georgia. In 1854, he married Fanny Haralson of Lagrange, Georgia. Gordon was elected captain of the "Racoon Roughs," a company of mountaineers, who went to the front in Virginia during the Civil War. Fanny accompanied Gordon throughout the war. In 1862, Gordon was promoted to Brigadier General and Major General in 1864. Near the end of the war, Gordon was promoted to Lieutenant General, one of only three Georgians to reach that rank at the time. During the war, he commanded the Second Army Corps which formed one wing of Lee's army at Appomattox. Gordon was involved in the Battles of Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Spotsylvania. Following the war, Gordon resumed his law practice in Atlanta. In 1868, he accepted the democratic nomination for Governor, but lost to R. B. Bullock. Gordon served in the U. S. Senate in 1873-1880 and 1891-1897. He was Governor of the State of Georgia from 1886-1890.

From the description of John Brown Gordon letter, 1898. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 47188690