Mordecai Gist was a Revolutionary soldier. He became a general in command of the Maryland Line in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Was known for his loyal attitude to his native country.
Background
Mordecai Gist came from a family which had been locally prominent in Baltimore County, Maryland, since Christopher Guest, the ancestor, had immigrated thither about 1682.
Several members of this family, notably another Christopher, had, by their exploits, foreshadowed the future military career of Mordecai; and Thomas Gist, brother of this second Christopher and father of Mordecai, was a training officer in the Revolutionary War when his son won all his laurels.
The latter was born near Reisterstown, Maryland, where Thomas Gist had settled with Susannah Cockey, his wife.
Education
Gist received an elementary education at a local parish school and somewhat later entered business in Baltimore, where he had shipping interests during the Revolution.
Career
In December 1774, Gist was chosen the captain of the “Baltimore Independent Company, ” one of the first of those volunteer military organizations which heralded the rapid approach of the war.
One year later, he wrote to a member of the Maryland Convention petitioning a military office. This letter is a typical expression and breathes the spirit of the warrior-patriot. The request was granted, and on January 14, 1776, he was commissioned the second major in Gen. Smallwood’s 1st Maryland Battalion.
Gist’s Revolutionary career is marked by successive promotions. He was in the battle of Long Island, August 1776, and then covered the retreat of Washington through New Jersey. He was promoted to the rank of colonel on December 10, 1776.
The following year, he took part in the battle of Germantown. Uneventful skirmishes in Maryland protecting the state from British raiders occupied his time for the next few years, and on January 9, 1779, he attained the rank of brigadier-general.
Shortly afterward, he took a prominent part in the battle of Camden, winning a meed of praise from the dying De Kalb, who was mortally wounded in this disastrous engagement. He was also mentioned in a resolution of Congress of October 14, 1780, for his bravery and good conduct during that action.
During the remainder of the war, he was given the difficult task of recruiting and supplying the army for the southern district. His letters from the field during this period are filled with indignation at the selfish provincialism of state officers. He himself suffered financially because of this attitude. It was certainly this type of American who won the Revolution.
Gist remained in South Carolina until his death.
Achievements
As a brigadier-general in the continental army, Gist took the command of the 2nd Maryland brigade. In 1779, he was transferred to the Southern campaign and distinguished himself at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina. In 1781, at the head of a Light Corps, he was present at the siege and capture of Yorktown. In 1782, he rallied the Americans under Laurens at the battle of the Combahee and gained a decisive victory.
Gist served as the first Vice President of the Maryland Society of the Cincinnati.
Views
Love of country was to Gist seemingly the end of earthly existence. Wife and children were of secondary consideration. Superficially this attitude of mind may be observed in the naming of his sons.
Personality
Gist's mind was seemingly cast for this one end, and his whole life was conditioned by the times. His universe was very simple, and right and wrong could be specific and well-defined terms in his ethics.
Connections
Gist married three times and had two sons, Independent and States, and a daughter, Susanna.
