James B. Gordon

James Byron Gordon ( born November 2, 1822 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, † May 18 1864 in Richmond, Virginia) was brigadier general of the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

Life

After studying at Emory and Henry College, Gordon operated as a merchant and farmer. In 1850 he was a member of the House of Representatives from North Carolina. His career in the army of the Confederate States, he began as a simple soldier of Wilkes Valley Guards Regiment. There he was promoted to lieutenant and later a captain. A little later, was his promotion to major in the 1st North Carolina Cavalry Regiment. This regiment was Hamptons brigade in J.E.B. Assigned to Stuart's cavalry corps. In the spring of 1863 was Gordon's promotion to colonel and was appointed brigade commander, and on 28 September of the same year he was promoted to brigadier general. Under his leadership, the brigade drew in the engagements at Bethesda Church, from near Dumfries and Buckland Mills. In the overland campaign of 1864 had Gordon's outpost as the first contact with the enemy forces under General Ulysses S. Grant, who wanted to cross the Rapidan.

One day after the Battle of the Yellow Tavern Gordon was fatally wounded near Meadow Bridge during an attack. Gordon was a relative of General John B. Gordon.