John Gourdin Gaillard papers, 1822 and 1895.

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John Gourdin Gaillard papers, 1822 and 1895.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/276307037

Two items, 1855 and 1895, of John Gourdin Gaillard relate to his antebellum studies at Harvard and subsequent military experiences during the Civil War in low country South Carolina, Corinth, Mississippi, and Kentucky. Gaillard studied civil engineering at Harvard but for some reason he left before finishing. In an affidavit presented by Harvard in lieu of a degree, dated 24 Dec. 1855, Henry Lawrence Eustis (1819-1885), the West Point-educated head of Harvard's new engineering department, speaks highly of Gaillard's credentials, "Mr. Gaillard has completed the course of study... Nothing but the necessity of leaving before the close of the term prevents my presenting him as a candidate for a degree, and I have not the slightest doubt that he would have passed his examination with distinction." In 1895, this Confederate veteran wrote a six page memoir of his Civil War years, during which he served with the Tenth Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers. In the summer of 1861, Gaillard had joined Co. K ("Eutaw Volunteers"), commanded by his brother-in-law, Capt. Julius T. Porcher. The company organized at St. Stephens Depot and elected Gaillard second lieutenant. Early experiences included training at Bulls Island, S.C., under a West Point cadet and station duty around the fort on South Island guarding Winyah Bay (Georgetown, S.C.). In the spring of 1862, the regiment transferred to northern Mississippi, arriving a few weeks after the battle of Shiloh. Gaillard describes the situation at Corinth, Miss., in 1862 and a series of events by which Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard appeared to prepare for a battle, that included the preaching of a sermon, but which actually allowed his troops to evacuate from a camp with unhealthy conditions and sickness to a more healthy and easily defended location, "after a rapid & severe night march some 30 miles away with all his Stores & equipments." Gourdin concludes with a brief description of camp life at Tupelo, Miss., and of Gen. Braxton Bragg's Kentucky campaign. During Bragg's retreat and hardship passing through a countryside that had been stripped of provisions. When they reached Knoxville, Tennessee, bad health caused Gaillard to be sent home, and he never returned to active service.

2 items.

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7244906

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries

Related Entities

There are 7 Entities related to this resource.

Harvard University

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w64n9x97 (person)

Harvard College was founded by a vote of the Great and General Court of Massachusetts on October 28, 1636 that allocated “400£ towards a schoale or colledge.” Subsequent legislative acts established the Board of Overseers, but it was the Charter of 1650 that created the Harvard Corporation as the College's primary governing board and defined its composition and authority. The College Charter became a contentious target for College officials, the Massachusetts Governor and General C...

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant), 1818-1893

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6233khc (person)

P.G.T. Beauregard was a Confederate States Army general from New Orleans, Louisiana. The Aztec Club was organized in 1847 as a fraternal society for officers serving under General Winfield Scott's command in Mexico City. Several officers later became major Civil War leaders. From the description of Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard letter, 1892 Dec. 29. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 70294149 Former Confederate general and resident of New Orleans. At the t...

Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w64b2zg4 (person)

Confederate Army officer, planter, and engineer. From the description of Braxton Bragg papers, 1833-1879 [microform]. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 44880220 Confederate General. From the description of Autograph letter signed : Mobile, to H. Storm, 1873 Oct. 9. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270133497 Army officer. From the description of Braxton Bragg papers, 1861-1863. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79455179 G...

Confederate States of America. Army. South Carolina Infantry Regiment, 10th

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w61p371h (corporateBody)

Gaillard, John Gourdin, 1833-1898.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mw3vpt (person)

Native of Pineville, S.C.; younger son of James Gaillard (1788-1871) of Walnut Grove plantation and second wife, Henrietta Gourdin (1794-1860); received his education at Mt. Zion Institute, South Carolina College, and Harvard University's Lawrence Scientific School. He planted cotton, served in the Confederate army, and served as a two-term member of the S.C. House of Representatives during Reconstruction. From the description of John Gourdin Gaillard papers, 1822 and 1895. (Universi...

Porcher, Julius T., b.1828.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6378nbj (person)

Eustis, Henry Lawrence, 1819-1885

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tb1fk3 (person)