February 2, 1887

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Grover Cleveland re: passage of a railroad grant bill

Written as Senator from Louisiana.

GLC03505

1836-1871

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Header Record

Title: Archive of Confederate general & family, primarily pre- and post-war re: plantation, slaves, military maneuvers, reconstruction. [decimalized]

Randall Lee Gibson and Family archive, divided into two sections: Randall Lee Gibson correspondence (.001-.039 and .025B) and Gibson family correspondence (.040-.105). The collection contains letters, military documents, financial documents (including bills of slave sales) and a carte de visite. The collection shows some child-rearing and education practices in southern Louisiana in the ante-bellum South. Other Gibson materials in the Gilder Lehrman Collection include GLC0026 (ALS to Col. T. O'Hara, 1/11/1863), GLC00821 (ALS to John C. Breckinridge, 9/26/1863), GLC01810 (ALS to James Seddon,…

GLC04501

19 February 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph document signed

Title: [Appointment of Gibson's aide-de-camp to serve as agent in matters pertaining to slaves]

Brigadier General Gibson (Confederate) discusses matters pertaining to people enslaved by his family. Appoints his aide-de-camp, H.P. Kernochan, as his agent to handle all business discussed within this letter. Learned from his brother Preston that five slaves (Thornton, Wallace, Big Jim, Little Jim, Baker, and Bidwell) from his father's plantation have been sent to Judge Thomas Gholson. Discusses other slaves sent to Gholson for work in the mines. Relates that his brother has thus far been in charge of these matters. Written from Headquarters, Gibson's Brigade, Army of Tennessee.

GLC06455

January 11, 1863

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodore O'Hara

Gibson, Colonel of the 13th Louisiana Volunteers (Confederate) discusses the recent Battle of Stones River, or Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with Colonel O'Hara. Reports details of the battle, which resulted in a Union victory. Relates that he informed General Daniel Weisiger Adams of the enemy's dispositions, but that it was "too late to accomplish a timely change in our positions." Writes that despite ensuing confusion during the battle, "the officers & men of the 13th La Vols... displayed the best qualities as soldiers. It is difficult for troops to stand firm against great odds, under a…

GLC00026

March 1, 1863

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Seddon

Confederate Colonel Gibson writes to the Confederate Secretary of War to protest being relieved of command and demoted to an inferior office. He had succeeded Brigadier General Daniel Adams after Adams was wounded at Murfreesboro and had just been reassigned to "conscript and recruiting service." He considers the action "arbitrary and unjust - as depriving me of my dearest rights as a soldier and degrading me in the eyes of my comrades in arms." Letter written from the Headquarters of Adams' Brigade.

GLC01810

September 26, 1863

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Letter signed

Title: to James Wilson

Colonel Gibson writes from the Headquarters of General Daniel Weisiger Adams's Brigade. He informs Wilson, Assistant Adjutant General of John Cabell Breckinridge's Division, of the details of the recent Battle of Chickamauga. He reports that Adams's Brigade is composed of the 13th, 16th, 19th, 20th, and 25th Louisiana Volunteers, the 32nd Alabama Volunteers, Austin's Battalion Louisiana Sharpshooters, Captain S. H. Slocomb's Battery, and Washington's Artillery. Relates "I was engaged in reforming my Regiment when informed, that, Brig-Genl D. W. Adams having been disabled by a wound, the…

GLC00821

February 26, 1852

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Randall tries to explain falling grades in his junior year and emphasizes that a warning letter sent to his parents was due to excessive absence due to sickness, not to poor scholarship. Written from Yale University.

GLC04501.002

3 December 1868

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Discusses sending an old man and his daughter to work at Live Oak plantation. Mentions purchasing articles for his wife. The family's poor financial circumstances continue. A heart felt letter in which Randall discusses family quarrels and jealousies arising from his financial success and his ability to help the family. Written on "Gibson & Austin, Attorneys at Law" letterhead from Randall Lee Gibson's law office.

GLC04501.038

15 July 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother John McKinley Gibson

A camp rumor states that Sherman gave up his campaign against Atlanta and is fortifying along the Chatahoochee. "But this is mere conjecture." Gibson goes on to offer offensive diversions to draw Sherman from Atlanta, such as massing Confederate troops along the Potomac or attacking Sherman's Army in the rear. "Kin" is John McKinley Gibson's nickname.

GLC04501.023

6 November 1851

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Sarah Gibson

Randall worries over their father's "daily sacrifices" since their mother's death (see GLC04501.100) and expresses concern for his well being. He has been elected to deliver an oration on behalf of the Southern Literary Society at an event in which two Northern Societies will also speak. He also discusses a possible trip south. Randall writes from Yale University, from which he would graduate in 1853.

GLC04501.001

16 September 1858

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Discussing the impact of the weather on crops at Live Oaks and Greenwood plantations, an order for "gas fixtures," and the incidence of fever in the vicinities. Tobias Gibson's family owned three plantations in Louisiana. In part: "The health of the neighborhood is not at all good - the type of Fever, however, is mild & yields readily to treatment. Nearly everybody has been sick...The sooner you come the better - but you will observe that the Yellow Fever only assumes a more malignant type & may yet spread. It was after this that it was fatal in Thibodeaux."

GLC04501.003

February 23, 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Requests a blank book and white army gloves. Discusses the amount of sugar and molasses being sold by the plantation.

GLC04501.004

10 November 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Col. Gibson recommends officers (as surgeon, assistant surgeon, quartermaster and commissary) for the 13th Reg. La. Volunteers and inquires whether a civilian can be appointed as quartermaster. Written at Camp Chlamette.

GLC04501.008

21 November 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Writes that his regiment has been ordered to Kentucky. "I am in the midst of departure for Ky. Bustle, Bustle on every hand and all alive with excitement - we go prepared for immediate action - and to sustain a sharp conflict. I believe my regiment will bear itself with credit and I shall lead it wherever the enemy shall make a stand...Expect we shall leave tomorrow or certainly the day after." Written at Camp Chlamette,

GLC04501.009

23 November 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Informs his father that his unit has just left New Orleans. They are the first regiment to receive orders to leave the state. Discusses local benefits given to raise money for his regiment, and the health of his brother Claude, who also commands a regiment. Claude Gibson suffered from consumption (tuberculosis); he died of the ailment in 1863. In part: "I am glad to tell you that my regiment is so well organized that I well feel no concern and henceforth will have but little to do beyond supervision. I had a long talk with Genl Ruggles to whose Brigade I belong...He is a very nice…

GLC04501.010

24 November 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Writes that he is on the way to Columbus, Kentucky. He also stopped in Memphis to visit relatives. Discusses his sister Louly's health.

GLC04501.011

2 December 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

He arrived in Columbus, Kentucky in the midst of a winter storm. He is not impressed by the discipline of the Confederate troops. He has gained 15 pounds in 2 months and visited relatives in Vicksburg. In part: "Well you see we are at last in the face of the enemy...I have not yet had an opportunity of making an examination of our position but so far as I have seen it is exceedingly strong, Nor do I know how many men are here about - fifteen thousand perhaps including all the reinforcements. I am ignorant of the strength of the enemy either at Cairo or Paducah. From what I hear…

GLC04501.012

9 December 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Randall describes a prisoner exchange between Grant and Cheatham. He comments that Grant "had somewhat the appearance of a gentlemen but the rest seemed to me impudent upstarts--some made confidence in the 'on to New Orleans' intention and all of them declared they were fighting for us-- that they came to save not to destroy. Genl. Grant even saying he would resign his commission if war should be made against slavery -- but it was evident from the whole tenor of their remarks that their purpose individually was subjugation & confiscation. I was thoroughly disgusted with the whole party…

GLC04501.013

19 December 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Gibson has been given the command of the 3rd Brigade of General Pillow's 1st Division, which consists of the 13th La., 3rd Miss., and Williams' Light Battery. He is now acting Brigadier General and expects a full promotion. Gibson analyzes their military strengths and weaknesses, comments on the Mason and Slidell affair, and discusses the depreciation of money. Gibson signs at the close of the letter and again, with initials, at the end of his postscript. In part: "...I am well and standing the campaign magnificently. After having had occasion to examine our lines of…

GLC04501.014

1 January 1862

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

General Pillow has resigned, and Gibson analyzes his abilities. The citizens of St. Louis help provide for the troops. His soldiers expect to be ordered to New Orleans as soon as the weather clears up. "....we have accustomed ourselves to reports and camp rumors. Yet everything is prepared under my command either for a movement or a fight where we are...An idea still exists that whenever the expedition intended for New Orleans sets sail, we will be ordered back...Genl Pillow has resigned. I hope some scientific officer may be assigned to duty in this place. I got very well acquainted…

GLC04501.015

January 16, 1862

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

He has just learned that a large Federal force is moving against their position and writes his father that they soon may be surrounded. Gibson signs using his full name. In part: "I have just returned from a meeting of the General Officers at Head Quarters and it is now reduced to a certainty - that the enemy is moving against us, in very large force. Before this letter reaches its destination you will probably hear that we are surrounde dor that a great battle has been fought. We have a large supply of army stores and can live for several months - two at least. Our cause is just and…

GLC04501.017

31 October 1862

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Gibson describes a march ending at Chattanooga and estimates the sizes of John Buford's and Jonathan Hunt Morgan's respective cavalry units. He laments the failed campaign into Kentucky and vividly describes the Battle of Perryville (10/8/1862). He recommends moving the negroes to Eastern Louisiana, away from the Union lines. The army has lost confidence in General Bragg, who has gone to Richmond. Was written near Knoxville, Tennessee.

GLC04501.019

30 April 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: [to his sister Louisiana Gibson]

Randall writes to his sister once a week, hoping that one of his letters will break the blockade and make its way across the Atlantic. He also hopes that John Slidell will be able to secure the recognition of the French government. He includes news of family and friends and stresses the importance of learning to spell correctly. Kin (a nickname for his brother John McKinley Gibson) is now his aide de camp. [excerpt] [3]…I hope Mr Slidell may be able even yet to get the French Government to appreciate our Cause and to help us. I have no doubt but that he has secured the friendship…

GLC04501.022

25 July 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Louisiana Gibson

Confidently predicts a Confederate victory against Sherman's army, which "will be driven back to the borders of the Ohio." His troops are stationed on Peach Tree Road, near the Atlanta railroad. The civilians have evacuated the town. "Louly" is Louisiana Gibson's nickname.

GLC04501.024

27 July 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother John McKinley Gibson

Asks about Kin's (John McKinley Gibson) health and discusses romantic relationships. He also appoints Kin as his aide de camp with military rank and pay. Includes an incomplete letter on a separate sheet labeled as GLC04501.25B, measuring 20 x 12.5 cm.

GLC04501.025