Polk County GaArchives Obituaries.....Gordon, John B. 1904
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Cedartown Standard, January 14, 1904
Gen. John B. Gordon, This is a day of sadness in Georgia and throughout the 
Southland, for the peerless Gordon is no more! He has fought his last fight, 
and has made the inevitable surrender to death, the great conquerer of all. 
Chivalrous and heroic, he made a shining mark for death when he led the valiant 
soldiers of the South in charge after charge on bloody battle-fields, but he 
was mercifully spared to again lead his people in the troublous days of the 
reconstruction era, when an even higher degree of courage and leadership were 
demanded. And, wherever placed, he always stood the test and added fresh luster 
to his fame. He belonged to Georgia, and the Empire State of the South weeps 
today at the bier of her fallen chieftain with a mighty grief. In this great 
sorrow the entire South joins with its tribute of tears, and the nation yields 
its sympathy. A towering oak smitten by the lightning’s shaft such is Gordon’s 
martial figure today. And the sad requiem is being chanted at the close of a 
long life of usefulness and honor. Death came to Gen. Gordon at 10 o’clock last 
Saturday night at his winter home in Miami Fla. Where he was taking a few days 
rest from an extended lecture tour. He had been in apparently excellent health, 
but was taken with a severe chill on Wednesday, followed by an uncontrollable 
fever and the worst seems to have been expected from the start. The remains 
rested in state at Miami, under guard of the Florida troops, until Tuesday 
morning, when they started on their journey to Atlanta in a private train 
furnished by Mr. Henry M. Flagler. They reached Atlanta yesterday, and were 
taken at once to the Capitol, beneath whose dome they now lie in state and 
received the tearful homage of mourning thousands. The funeral services will be 
held today, the public exercised beginning at 10 o’clock, and Atlanta has 
probably never seen such a multitude as is gathered there today to pay the last 
sad tribute of love and reverence to the dead hero. Gen. Gordon was born Feb. 
6th, 1832, in Upson county, GA. His grandfather was one of seven brothers who 
emigrated to America from Scotland, and his sturdy Scotch ancestry is strongly 
shown in his eventful career. He graduated from the University of Georgia at 
the head of his class, and engaged in the practice of law in Atlanta, but was 
engaged in mining when the war broke out. He entered the Confederate service 
with the rank of Captain, and was a gallant participant in many hard fought 
battles. At Sharpsburg he was wounded five times, and but for the careful 
nursing of his devoted wife would have lost his life. He was a central figure 
in the battles of Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Sharpsburg, Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Monocacy, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar 
Creek, Ft. Steadman and Appomattox. He loved his soldiers, and they were 
passionately devoted to him. But "peace has its victories" as well as war, and 
no less brightly did the dauntless Gordon shine in civic life than on the field 
battle, Twice has he served Georgia as her Chief Executive, and thrice was he 
elected to represent her in the United State Senate. He was singularly endowed 
with the gift of oratory and his marvelous eloquence proved a magic wand for 
him in his political life and later in his career upon the lecture platform. 
His famous lecture, "The Last Days of the Confederacy," has been in great 
demand in all parts of the country, and has done much to lead a better 
understanding between the sections. For, while Gen. Gordon was an indomitable 
foeman on the battle-field, when the war was over he became an earnest advocate 
of a re-united nation. He has done more than any other man not even excepting 
the immortal Grady, to wipe out the spirit of bitterness between the sections. 
Too big and brave himself to harbor malice he did everything in his power to 
wipe out any lingering trace of such a feeling in both the North and South. And 
history acclaims him as Gordon, the dauntless warrior, and Gordon, the wise and 
eloquent peacemaker. The old veteran who followed his valiant leadership and 
who loved him so well, feel that they are today laying away a brother; and 
Georgia feels that she is losing in him one of her most distinguished patriots 
and honored statesman. His knightly spirit is at rest, Peace to his ashes! 

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