George Gordon (Civil War General)

George Washington Gordon ( born October 5, 1836 Giles County, Tennessee; † August 9, 1911 in Memphis, Tennessee ) was an MP in the House of Representatives of the United States and the Confederate Army brigadier general during the American Civil War. He was one of the founding members of the racist terrorist organization Ku Klux Klan and alleged boss of the Klan in Tennessee.

Life

After graduating from the Western Military Institute in 1859, Gordon worked as a surveyor. His career in the Confederate army, he began in the 11th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. After several promotions Gordon was regimental commander in December 1862. During his service he participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Chattanooga and the Atlanta campaign, and John Bell Hood's invasion of Tennessee. Gordon was wounded in the battle of Franklin, and was taken prisoner of the Northern states. On August 15, 1864 he was promoted to brigadier general.

After the war

After his release from captivity in July 1865 Gordon studied law and practiced upon successful completion as a lawyer in Memphis. From 1883, he held various management tasks on city, state and national level. 1906 Gordon Congressman for the Democratic Party. After two successful re- election in the tenth district, and his appointment as Commander in Chief of the United Confederate Veterans, a veterans organization of veterans of the southern states, he died on August 9, 1911 in Memphis. His grave can be found at the Elmwood Cemetery.