s severely wounded at the battle of
Gettysburg while commanding the Second Corps, and brevetted colonel
U.S.A. for gallant and meritorious service in that action.

He also held an important and responsible command in the Richmond
campaign, and was brevetted brigadier-general U.S.A. for gallant and
meritorious services at Spotsylvania. Was commissioned major-general of
volunteers June 7, 1864. Brevetted major-general U.S.A. for gallant
and meritorious conduct in the capture of Petersburg. Mustered out of
the volunteer service June 15, 1866, and commissioned a colonel U.S.A.
July 28, 1866. Promoted to brigadier-general U.S.A. July 10, 1885,
and appointed to the command of the district of the Rocky Mountains. He
commanded the column that rescued Reno from the Sioux Indians in June,
1876.

An officer who has served with him several years, and knows him
intimately, says:

"He is an able writer and deep thinker, a thorough soldier, and no
politician; honest, strict on duty, and genial and kind off duty. He is
brave as a man can be in battle. A true and loving husband, a kind
father, and the truest kind of a friend. A thorough sportsman,
temperate, modest, and as careful of the wellfare of the humblest
enlisted man as of his chief of staff." Capt. Constant Williams, in a
private letter to the author, under date of December 23, 1888, says: "I
wish to bear testimony of the noble bearing of General Gibbon during
the whole time the fight was in progress, under the most trying
circumstances. His coolness and utter indifference to danger were so
marked, and so admirable, that I have ever since that day taken him as
my model for a commander."

Yet, notwithstanding this long record of brilliant services and
well-merited rewards; notwithstanding this great and good man has grown
gray fighting his country's battles; notwithstanding he has acquired,
by study and experience, a military education and training second to
none ever acquired by an American, a man who was suddenly elevated from
private life to the high office of Secretary of War has recently seen
fit to publicly reprimand him for what he was pleased to term a
disobedience of orders. The alleged offense consisted in General
Gibbon's having pardoned a private soldier, who had been by
court-martial convicted of a misdemeanor and imprisoned. He had served
several months of his term, when General Gibbon, under whose orders the
court-martial had been held, deeming him already su