Gibson, Randall Lee (1832-1892) to his father Tobias Gibson
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04501.016 Author/Creator: Gibson, Randall Lee (1832-1892) Place Written: Columbus, KY Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 January [1862] Pagination: 3 p. ; 27 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Explains that though he is acting brigadier general of the newly formed brigade, he has not actually received a promotion from. General Polk. He believes the regiment may be ordered back to Louisiana by General Lovell. Gibson also suggests trying to sell the family's molasses output and mentions a business contact in France, who he has recommended get in contact with John Slidell, Confederate commissioner to France.
Though the date written on this letter is January 1861, the content indicates it was written in January 1862.
In part: "I wish to say particularly that you mistake as to my advancement. I have not been promoted at all. It merely happened that my commission was older than Col Deason's and that Genl Polk making of the two Regiments a single Command - which amounted to a Brigade I naturally enough became Brigr Genl Acting Genl nothing more. Hence you observe that there has been no real promotion...Now however, I understand that both these Regiments have been orderd back to New Orleans. Do not know this officially. I think Genl Polk will try to make a compromise by keeping one & giving up the other. If that is his purpose he will keep mine and then you see at once the brigade is dissolved...This is far very far from being an attracxtive place. I wish we had been sent to Manassas whwre I always wanted to go or to Bowling Green...[continuing later:] I had the project I had for taking [illegible place name] disapproved. I have been trying to show the Yankees that we were alive and that we were likewise disposed to advance. Genl Polk has just told me that Lovell had telegraphed for these two Regts but that he had declined to send them and had referred the matter to the Secretary of War...he expected my position to be a permanent one, that is Acting Brigdr Genl. I have always felt that the final battle we got into I should win a Brigdr Generalship. I shall be sent up on the next Flag of Truce and can then certainly expect to communicate with our friends [probably in interior Kentucky]...I have written to Paris about Mr King and have likewise written to him at Dijon - telling him to apply to Mr Slidell...."
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