Gibbon, John (1827-1896)

Name:

Gibbon, John (1827-1896)

Title:

Brevet Major General
president of the Iron Brigade Association
Commander in Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Bronze statue in Gettysburg National Military Park

Born:

04/20/1827

Birthplace:

Holmesburg, PA

Died:

02/06/1896

Death Location:

Baltimore, MD

Residence:

Philidelphia, PA
Charlotte, NC
UT

Nationality:

American

Occupation:

Career officer, U.S. Army

Father:

Gibbon, John Heysham

Mother:

Lardner, Catharine

Relations:

Lt. Frank A. Haskell (close friend and aide)

Spouse:

Francis "Fannie" North Moale, 1855

Children:

Frances Moale
Catharine "Katy" Lardner
John Gibbon, Jr. (died as a toddler)
John S.

Notes:

Family moved to Charlotte, when father took a position with the mint.
Served in the Mexican War, but saw no combat.
Helped mediate peace between Seminoles and settlers in FL.
Taught artillery tactics at West Point, wrote The Artillerists Manuel in 1859.
Commanding Battery B, 4th US Artillery in Utah when US Civil War broke out.
Chose to fight for Union, even though his father owend slaves, and three brothers, two brothers-in-law and a cousin served in the Confederate Army.
Served as chief of artillery for Gen. Irvin McDowell.
Promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers, placed in command of Kings Wisconsin Brigade, later known as "The Black Hat Brigade" due to Gibbon's choice of hat for them, and later the "Iron Brigade" for performance at the Battle of South Mountain (09/14/1862).
Participated in Battle of Antietam (09/17/1862), personally manned an artillery piece at one point during the fighting.
became commander of the 2nd Division, I Corps at Battle of Fredericksburg (12/11-15/1862), where he was wounded.
Out of action for several months due to repeated infections of wound.
Division saw little action at Chancellorsville (04/30-05/06/1863) being in reserve.
Commanded 2nd Division, II Corps at Gettysburg (07/01-03/1863), took temporary command of II Corps 07/01-02 while commander was given higher commands. Wounded during Pickett's Charge, while his division bore the brunt of the attack.
While recovering, placed in command of Cleveland, OH, draft depot, and heard President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
Resumed command of 2nd Division, II Corps, for Battles of the Wilderness (05/05-07/1864), Spotsylvania Courthouse (05/08-21/1864) and Cold Harbor (05/31-06/12/1864).
Participated in Siege of Petersburg (6/09/1864-03/25/1865).
Propoted to command of XVIII Corps, but shortly after went on sick leave.
Soon returned to command XXIV Corps, Army of the James, leading it through the Siege of Petersburg and Appamattox Campaigns.
One of three commissioners for the Confederate surrender.
Remained in the army post-war, reverted to regular army rank Colonel.
Commander at Fort Ellis in Montanna Territory.
Arrived day after Battle of the Little Big Horn, relieving the remainder of Custer's force.
Participated in the Battle of the Big Hole (08/09/1877) against the Nez Perce.
Temporary Commander of the Department of the Platte (1884).
Promoted to Brig. General (1885), took command of the Army of the Pacific Northwest.
Placed Seattle, WA under martial law during anti-Chinese riots in 1886.
Gave 1886 commencement address at West Point.
Retired in 1891 due to age restrictions.