|
|
 1806 - 1878 (72 years)
-
| Name |
Gideon Johnson Pillow |
| Title |
Jr. |
| Birth |
9 Jun 1806 |
Williamson County, TN  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Graduation |
1827 |
Nashville, TN |
| University of Nashville |
| Occupation |
Aft 1827 |
Tennessee |
| Lawyer |
| Military Service |
Jul 1846 |
Tennessee |
| Brig. Gen. then Maj. Gen., Mexican War |
| Military Service |
9 Jul 1861 |
Tennessee |
| Brig. Gen., C.S.A. |
| Death |
6 Oct 1878 |
Helena, Lee County, AR |
| Burial |
Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, TN |
| Person ID |
I15880 |
Bob Juch's Tree |
| Last Modified |
31 Dec 2022 |
| Father |
Gideon Johnson Pillow, b. 30 Sep 1774, Rockingham County, NC d. 26 Feb 1830, Tennessee (Age 55 years) |
| Relationship |
natural |
| Mother |
Anne Payne, b. 20 Feb 1777 d. 10 Apr 1864, Maury County, TN (Age 87 years) |
| Relationship |
natural |
| Marriage |
22 Jan 1803 |
Davidson County, TN |
| Family ID |
F8635 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
-
| Notes |
- The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume IIV
page 330
PILLOW, Gideon Johnson, soldier, was born in Williamson county, Tenn., July 8, 1806; son of Gideon and Annie (Payne) Pillow; grandson of John and Mary (Johnson) Pillow, and of Josiah Paine, a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and great-grandson of Jaspar Pillow, who emigrated from England in 1740, and settled in the Virginia colony. His paternal grandfather and his two great-uncles, Jaspar and William Pillow, were Revolutionary soldiers and were present at the surrender of Cornwallis, and his father was a soldier under General Jackson, and was conspicuous in the attack on the Indian fortress Nickajack. Gideon Johnson Pillow was graduated from the University of Nashville in 1827, studied law under Judge W. E. Kennedy and William L. Brown, established himself in practice in Columbia, Tenn., and became a prominent member of the Tennessee bar. He was a member of the staff of Gov. William Carroll, with the rank of brigadier general, 1829-35, a delegate to the Democratic national convention of 1844, and afterward made a canvass for James K. Polk. Upon the [p.330] outbreak of the war with Mexico, he was commissioned brigadier-general, U.S. army, July 13, 1846, and reported with a brigade of Tennessee volunteers to General Taylor, at Camargo, Mexico. He was engaged at the battle of Vera Cruz, where he was complimented for gallantry; Cerro Gordo, where he was severely wounded and was commissioned major-general, and during the campaign that followed was second in command. He was present at Contreras, Cherubusco and Chapultepec, and at the latter place his ankle was crushed by a grape shot and he was in hospital for three months. He favored pressing the Mexican army to the extreme boundary of the country, making the final capitulation beyond the Sierra Madre, which became known as the "Pillow line" and was afterward admitted by military experts to be correct. He was later arrested by General Scott, on charges of insubordination, but was completely vindicated by the court of inquiry. He returned to his home in Maury county, Tenn., relinquished his law practice and engaged extensively in farming in Tennessee and Arkansas. He was a delegate to the Southern convention held at Nashville in 1850, and favored a conservative policy. At the Democratic national convention of 1852 he received twenty-five votes for nomination for vice president. He opposed secession until the outbreak of the civil war, when he was appointed by Gov. Isham G. Harris major-general in the provisional army of Tennessee, May 9, 1861. He organized a force of 35,000 men, and on July 9, 1861, was commissioned brigadier-general in the Confederate army. He commanded the Confederate forces stationed at Belmont, Mo., and on Nov. 7, 1861, an attack was made on the town by General Grant. After a severe battle lasting the entire day he found that he was unable to hold his position and attempted to dislodge the concealed Federal force by a series of gallant charges. These proving of no avail, he was obliged to retreat. In the battle of Fort Donelson, he ranked second in command of the Confederate forces. He reached Fort Donelson Feb. 9, 1862, and on Feb. 14, 1862, the battle with the Federal gun boats was fought. On the 15th the situation was debated by General Floyd and his chiefs of brigade, and an immediate attack was decided upon against the advance of General Pillow. After the Confederate defeat he was relieved of his command and assigned to post duty until the close of the war. While on a visit to General Bragg at Murfreesboro, Tenn., he was given a temporary command in the battle of Murfreesboro, and took part in the famous charge of General Breckinridge. At the close of the war he returned to Tennessee and found his estates devastated. He engaged in farming, but in 1868 he formed a law partnership in Memphis, Tenn., with Isham G. Harris. His last years were spent in a vain effort to pay off his debts incurred during the war. He was married to Mary Martin of Columbia, Tenn. He died on the Mound Plantation, Phillips county, Ark., Oct. 8, 1878.
|
|
|
