South Downtown in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
John Brown Gordon
John Brown Gordon, son of the Rev. Zachariah Herndon Gordon and Mrs. Malinda Cox Gordon, was born in Upson County Feb. 6, 1832. He attended a rural school in Walker County, Pleasant Green Academy in Lafayette, and the University of Georgia. He left the University in his senior year to study law under the noted Logan E. Bleckley, but soon gave up the practice of law to join his father in coal mine operations in Northwest Georgia.
At the beginning of the War Between the States, John B. Gordon organized a company of mountaineers who wore coon-skin caps and called themselves "The Racoon Roughs." When his company was merged with the 6th Alabama Infantry Regiment of the Confederate Army, Captain Gordon was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. Early in 1862 he became a Colonel and later that year had fought up to the rank of Brigadier General. On May 14, 1864, he was promoted to Major General and had been recommended for the rank of Lieutenant General when the war ended, at which time he was in command of half of the Army of Northern Virginia.
Douglas Southall Freeman, in "Lee's Lieutenants," wrote: "If the final order of march had been arranged to honor those who had fought hardest and with highest distinction during the last days of the war, Gordon rightly would have been put first." In 1873 General Gordon was elected to the United States Senate. He was re-elected in 1878, but resigned in 1880 to develop mining and railroad interests. In 1886 he was elected Governor of Georgia and re-elected in 1888. At the end of his second term he was sent to the United States Senate for the third time, serving from 1891 to 1897. He died on January 9, 1904, while visiting his son, Hugh Haralson Gordon, in Miami.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is January 9, 1904.
Location. 33° 44.985′ N, 84° 23.304′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in South Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Street SW and Martin Luther King Jr Dive NW, on the left when traveling south on Washington Street SW. Located on the grounds of the Georgia State Capitol. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta GA 30334, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Ground (a few steps from this marker); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (a few steps from this marker); The Battle of Atlanta (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Philip's Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Transfer of Command (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas E. Watson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Seige of Atlanta (within shouting distance of this marker); The Evacuation of Atlanta (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 754 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 8, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 7. submitted on September 5, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.