General John Gordon

General John B. Gordon was one of the most renowned and respected political and military figures of the 9th Century. Born on a Georgia plantation in 1832 his family moved to the northwest corner of the state where his father operated a coal mine. He was a brilliant scholar and married his beloved “Fanny” managing the family mining business as the War broke out. Even with no formal military training, his presence and charisma marked him as something special and he was elected Captain of the Raccoon Roughs. By the end of the War through his bravery and skill he was a Major General in charge of half of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. His bravery and unfaltering dedication was never questioned and was wounded numerous times… 5 times at Antietam. He had an uncanny ability to inspire his troops to feats of bravery and sacrifice through his personal example and oratory. He was a fighter with a strong unwavering sense of Southern Honor and uncompromising in his belief in the Confederate Cause. After the War he worked tirelessly for full reunification of the Country he fought so hard against and insuring that the history books would not forget or misinterpret the reasons why the South had fought the War. He was Georgia’s respected Senator and Governor and a popular lecturer. Upon his death in 1903, he was much beloved and considered by many to be the physical embodiment of the Confederacy.