Biography of Col. Robert D. Gardner - Pulaski Co. VA


COL. ROBERT D. GARDNER - born in Montgomery county, Virginia, December 22,
1839, and Belle M. COOK, born in Wytheville, Wythe, Virginia, March 29,
1845, were united in marriage in Newbern, Virginia, February 17, 1876, and
their union is blessed with one daughter and one son: Lizzie, born November
23, 1876; Lawrence C., May 23, 1878. Alexander and Nancy (SHANKLIN) GARDNER
are the parents of Robert D., and his wife is a daughter of Clayton and
Cassandria COOK. Colonel GARDNER is the hero of two wars, serving in the
Mexican war, in the Grenadier Company, First Virginia Infantry, in which he
left Montgomery county in January, 1847. The company went to Richmond,
thence to Fortress Monroe, then to Brazos, Santiago, and from there to
Carmargo, Mexico. Peace was declared while they were at Buena Vista, and
they returned to their native county in August, 1848. Robert D. GARDNER then
engaged in carpenter work until the opening of the war of the States, when
he at once went into service, receiving rank of first lieutenant in the
Pulaski Guards. They went to Richmond, thence to Harpers Ferry, and from
there to take part in the first Manassas battle. He received commission of
captain of the same company, now Company C, Fourth Virginia Infantry
Stonewall Brigade. The regiment remained in the Virginia valley till the
spring of 1862, taking part in the battles of Kernstown, Port Republic, Cold
Harbor, around Richmond, White Oak Swamp, Fraxiers Farm and Malvern Hill.
Transferred then to Colonsville, they took part in the battles of Cedar Run,
second Manassas, Frederic City, Harpers Ferry, Sharpsburg, Maryland, the
retreat across the Potomac, and the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13,
1862. In this battle the subject of this sketch, now holding rank of colonel
of the Fourth Virginia Infantry (which commission he received before the
battle of Winchester), was so severely wounded that he was compelled to
retire from active service. After his recovery he went on post duty till the
close of the war. He made his home in Pulaski county in 1857, and since 1870
has been clerk of the county and circuit courts. His address is Newbern,
Pulaski county, Virginia.


Submitted by Janet Randell

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