(
This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
James Gordon was an American planter, writer, and politician. He was a special agent of the Confederacy, senator from Mississippi and was a participant of the Civil War and took part in 33 engagements.
Background
James Gordon was the son of Robert Gordon, a native of Scotland, and Mary Elizabeth Walton, of Amelia County, Virginia. He was born on December 6, 1833, at Cotton Gin Port, an early settlement on the Tombigbee River in Monroe County, Mississippi.
The following year, his parents moved into what is now Pontotoc County, Miss. In this frontier country, Robert Gordon amassed a large fortune in land and slaves, and erected a stately house, “Lochinvar. ”
Education
James Gordon, the only son and heir of this fortune, was educated at St. Thomas Hall, Holly Springs, Mississippi, at La Grange College, Alabama, and at the University of Mississippi, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1855.
Career
In 1856, Gordon was chosen to represent his county in the state legislature.
When the Civil War began, Gordon raised the first company of cavalry to leave the state, arming and equipping his men from his own purse. After the battle of Seven Pines, he returned and recruited the 2nd Mississippi Regiment of Cavalry, of which he was made colonel.
He participated in thirty-three engagements, probably distinguishing himself chiefly at the battle of Corinth. There his command was in the van of the Confederate attack, and, after the battle, covered the retreat of Van Dorn to Holly Springs.
In 1864, he was sent to England as a special agent of the Confederate government. After arranging for the purchase of a privateer, he started his eventful return. He was captured the day he landed at Wilmington, North Carolina, and placed on a prison ship at Old Point Comfort, but escaped the following month.
Finally reaching Canada, he established contact with his wife’s uncle, Jacob Thompson, Confederate agent, with headquarters at Montreal. Unfortunately, he also met John Wilkes Booth.
After the assassination of Lincoln, Gordon was suspected of implication in the crime, and a large reward was offered for his apprehension. He met the issue by securing a pass, entering the United States, and defending his reputation with complete success.
He then returned to Mississippi and remained out of public view until the close of Reconstruction. In 1878 and 1886, he was in the lower house of the state legislature, and beginning with 1904, served two terms in the state Senate.
From December 27, 1909, to February 22 of the following year, he filled the unexpired term of Anselm J. McLaurin in the United States Senate. He used this rather unpromising situation to secure national attention by his apt and well-received speech on retirement from the Senate.
Lacking his father’s business sagacity, he lost his patrimony, but he walked away from his estate whistling. He partially recovered from this financial disaster and spent the last part of his life at Okolona, Mississippi.