General John Gibbon As Portrayed By Joshua Ours John Gibbon was born on April 20, 1827 in Philadelphia, PA, war on the night of July 2nd, army commander Maj. Gen. to Dr. and Mrs. John H. Gibbon. The family moved to George G. Meade took Gibbon aside and predicted, "If Lee Charlotte, NC in 1838 after his father was appointed as chief attacks tomorrow, it will be on your front." And his assayer of the U.S. Mint. John graduated from West division did bear the brunt of fighting during the Point in 1847 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in 3rd defense against Pickett's Charge on July 3rd, US Artillery. Gibbon served in the Mexican-American when Gibbon was again wounded. War without seeing combat, attempted to keep the While recovering from his wounds, Gibbon peace between Seminoles and settlers in south commanded a draft depot in Cleveland, Florida, and taught artillery tactics at West Point, Ohio, and attended the dedication of where he wrote The Artillerist's Manual in 1859. Soldiers' National Cemetery and heard In 1854, Gibbon served as an assistant artillery Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. instructor at West Point, and in 1855, he married Gibbon was back in command of the 2nd Frances North Moale. Following the firing on Fort Division at the battles of the Wilderness, Sumter, Gibbon was appointed Chief of Artillery for North Anna, Totopotomoy, Spotsylvania Irvin McDowell. Despite the fact that his father was Court House, and Cold Harbor. During the a slaveholder and that three of his brothers, two Siege of Petersburg, Gibbon became brothers-in-law and his cousin J. Johnston Pettigrew disheartened when his troops refused to fight at served in the Confederate military, Gibbon decided to Ream's Station. uphold his oath to the Union. Gibbon briefly commanded the XVIII Corps before In 1862, Gibbon was promoted to Brigadier General and placed going on sick leave. However, his service being too valuable, in charge of 4 regiments, the 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin Gibbon returned in 1865 to command the newly Volunteer Infantry and the 19th Indiana Volunteer created XXIV Corps in the Army of the James. Infantry, which later became known as the 'Iron His troops helped achieve the decisive Brigade.' breakthrough at Petersburg, capturing Fort General Gibbon’s Iron Brigade fought in several Gregg, part of the Confederate defenses. He engagements, including Brawner Farm, Second led his troops during the Appomattox Manassas, and Antietam. In November, 1862, Campaign and blocked the Confederate Gibbon was placed in command of the 2nd escape route at the Battle of Appomattox Division, I Corps of the Army of the Potomac, Courthouse. Gibbon was one of three requiring him to leave the Iron Brigade. At the commissioners selected by General Ulysses Battle of Fredericksburg, Gibbon was wounded S. Grant for the surrender of the R.E. Lee’s leaving him with a crippled left hand. Army of Northern Virginia. In 1863, Gibbon was placed in command of the 2nd In 1864, Col. Lyman said of General Gibbon, Division, II Corps of the Army of the Potomac, leading "Thither came steel-cold General Gibbon, the his division at Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg, Winfield S. most American of Americans, with his sharp nose Hancock placed Gibbon in command of the II Corps, while and up-and-down manner of telling the truth, no matter having to command larger units. At the end of the council of whom it hurts.” General Gibbon is portrayed by Joshua Ours, who resides in Petersburg, WV. .