The John B. Gordon
Story
By: Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.
Historical-Writer, Author of book “When America Stood for God,
Family and Country”, Speaker and Member of the Sons of Confederate
Veterans
1064 West Mill Drive
Kennesaw, Georgia 30152
Phone: 770 428 0978
Jeremiah 6:16 of the Bible reads;
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye
in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good
way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”
But, have we forgotten God and the old paths of our Founding
Fathers and Mothers? Is American history even taught anymore in
public and private schools?
As the world looks to America, do
we know who helped make the USA free and great?
President Theodore Roosevelt said of John B. Gordon, quote "A more
gallant, generous, and fearless gentlemen and soldier has not been
seen in this country." unquote
February is Black History Month and it is also the birthday month
of George Washington, America’s first president. February is also
the birthday month of John Brown Gordon of Georgia.
John B. Gordon, born February 6, 1832, was an orator, lawyer,
statesman, soldier, publisher and governor of the State of
Georgia. His is best known as one of Gen. Robert E. Lee's
generals. At Appomattox, Gordon's corps encounter with the
soldiers under Gen. Joshua Chamberlain is a classic story. Gordon
would always remember Chamberlain for the courtesy and respect
shown he and his men.
Carter Godwin Woodson, father of Black History Week, has much in
common with John B. Gordon. Both men believed that accurate
American history should be taught in our schools. Woodson also
believed the study of Black history should include those
African-Americans who fought on both sides of the War Between the
States.
Black History Week became Black History Month in the 1960s.
Woodson, eleven years after the first Black History Week, founded
the "Negro History Bulletin" for teachers, students and the
public.
Gordon also worked to see that the history of the Confederate
soldier was taught in public schools. After the war only the
Northern version of the War Between the States was taught to
Southern children.
John B. Gordon believed in the South's Constitutional right to
secession, but after it was crushed, he worked to reunite the
nation and helped white and black Southerners the war had made
poor.
In Gordon's day there were no skyscrapers, telephones,
automobiles, bright lights, or bad air to obscure the view of
Heaven's stars. The American Revolution was in the past only as
far back as the Great Depression is today. American history was
still taught at a time when the Union and Confederate Veterans
were still living and honored.
A John B. Gordon birthday celebration was first held in Atlanta,
Georgia on Saturday, February 6, 1993, in front of Georgia’s old
historic state capitol building. Weather forecasters called for
rain and cold but God must have blessed that day as it was warm
and sunny. Nearly one-thousand people came to remember Gordon.
A Confederate reenactment band with authentic band instruments
played “Dixie” and everyone stood straight and proud. The band
gave the melody, but the crowd sang the words.
Many speakers praised Gordon. One man turned to Gordon's statue
and asked "General Gordon what would you say to those who would
change the history of America?" Gordon, the American, the
Southerner might have answered: "Take your history and teach it to
your children or others will teach their history!" Gordon set up a
publishing company after the war to help teach children their
Southern history.
In 1995, a third John B. Gordon memorial was held in Atlanta, but
this time it was cold and snowy. Among the speakers in 1995, was a
young Black-American. Eddie B. Page was a true friend and defender
of the heritage of America. He was proud of the United States,
1956 Georgia and Confederate flags. Eddie knew his history,
Southern style, and did not parrot "Political Correct" history.
John Brown Gordon was born in Upson County, Georgia. He was the
fourth of twelve children born to Zachariah and Malinda Cox
Gordon.
After attending the University of Georgia he came to Atlanta to
study law. Here he met and married Rebecca Haralson and their
union was long and happy.
September 17, 1862, is known as the bloodiest day in American
history. Confederate General John B. Gordon was there, defending a
position called the sunken road. Wave upon wave of Union troops
attacked Gordon's men. The casualties were beyond today's
understanding. Gordon was struck by Union bullets four times, but
continued to lead his men. Then, the fifth bullet tore through his
right jaw and out his left cheek. He fell with his face in his hat
and would have drowned in his own blood except for a hole in his
hat. Though Gordon survived these wounds, the last bullet left him
permanently scarred. That is why you see later photographs of him
only from the right side.
For years the John B. Gordon celebration, in Atlanta, was
concluded by a mile march to Oakland Cemetery where the general is
buried with his Confederate compatriots. Not since past
Confederate Memorial days has there been a scene on an Atlanta
street of soldiers in Confederate gray and women and children of
black mourning dress.
The spirits of Carter G. Woodson and John B. Gordon were there
with us on those February days when Confederate gray marched
through a Black-American neighborhood. The people watching the
parade were told about the Gordon service and were invited to
Oakland. Black children spread the word that this was a memorial
to Gordon who was once governor of Georgia.
Woodson and Gordon are still with us---in spirit and, if you
listen, they are saying, "Teach your children the whole story of
America’s past."
Let’s not forget!
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