1. Franklin Kitchell Gardner was a Confederate major general in the American Civil War, noted for his service at the Siege of Port Hudson on the Mississippi River.
19 Facts About Franklin Gardner
1. 2.
Charles Kitchell Franklin Gardner was son of a Revolutionary War hero.
3.
Franklin Gardner's mother was from Louisiana, where she was a member of a wealthy plantation-owning family.
4.
Franklin Gardner attended the United States Military Academy from 1838 to 1843, being appointed by the State of Iowa, and distinguishing himself as the class's top Drawing student during the whole time.
5.
Franklin Gardner graduated 17th out of a class of 39.
6.
Franklin Gardner married Marie Celeste Mouton, the daughter of Louisiana Governor Alexander Mouton, shortly thereafter.
7.
Franklin Gardner later served at the siege of Vera Cruz, Churubusco, and Molino del Rey.
8.
Franklin Gardner served in various posts throughout the United States: in New York, Florida, Missouri, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and the Pacific Northwest.
9.
Franklin Gardner received a promotion to full Captain in the 10th US Infantry in March 1855, and served in the Utah War.
10.
In March 1862 Franklin Gardner was assigned a brigade of cavalry in the Army of Mississippi and served in the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862.
11.
Franklin Gardner's brigade being away from the battle, he served as a volunteer aide on the staff of Braxton Bragg.
12.
Franklin Gardner immediately undertook an improvement to the defenses of Port Hudson, replacing a partially constructed system of lunettes with 4 miles of earthworks extending from the Mississippi River on the southwestern corner of the fort, to the easternmost portion of the knoll on which Port Hudson stood.
13.
On May 22,1863, Franklin Gardner received a command from Johnston, who was at odds with Pemberton and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, to evacuate Port Hudson and proceed to Jackson, Mississippi.
14.
Franklin Gardner was in the process of doing so when word came that 12,000 of Banks's troops had landed north of Port Hudson, while another 20,000 were approaching from the south.
15.
The siege lasted 47 days and did not end until July 9,1863, when Franklin Gardner was informed that Vicksburg had fallen on July 4,1863.
16.
Franklin Gardner stayed in a Union prisoner of war camp until he was exchanged in August 1864.
17.
Franklin Gardner was given command of the District of Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana and served under Lieutenant General Richard Taylor.
18.
Franklin Gardner surrendered with the department, and was paroled at Meridian, Mississippi on May 11,1865.
19.
Franklin Gardner's grave is the Cemetery of Saint John's Catholic Cathedral in Lafayette, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, where he lies next to his father-in-law Alexandre Mouton.