Alexander Gardiner (1833 - 1864)

Born 27 Jul 1833 in Catskill, Greene, New York, United States

Died 8 Oct 1864 at age 31 in Winchester, Virginia, United States

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14th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry

Col. Alexander Gardiner served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: 20 Sep 1862
Mustered out: 8 Oct 1864 Wounded in battle of Opequan on 19 Sep 1864. Succumbed to wounds on 8 Oct 1864
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 14th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry

Colonel Alexander Gardiner Died of Wounds from the Battle of Opequon during US Civil War.

Biography

On 19 Sept 1864, during the Battle of Opequan, Alexander Gardiner was shot left thigh and fractured his right leg. He later succumbed to wounds on 8 Oct 1864 in Winchester, Virginia.

From ^[1]A Memorial of the Great Rebellion Being a History of the Fourteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers:

Alexander Gardiner was born in Catskill, N.Y., July 27, 1833. He was educated at Kimball Union Academy, and after graduation studied law, and was admitted to the bar in New-York City when twenty-two years old. He was in Kansas with John Brown during the troublous times of Border Ruffianism and bore a conspicuous part in that memorable struggle for freedom. He took the first printing press into Kansas, and his office was afterward raided by Southern desperadoes. In the spring of 1859, he removed to Claremont, where he opened a law office and continued the practice of his profession until he entered the army. November 17, 1859, Col. Gardiner married Miss Mary P. Cooper, the daughter of Mr. Samuel P. Cooper of Croydon. Two children, a son, and daughter were born to them, both now living. In the summer of 1862 Col. Gardiner enlisted and began recruiting. When the Fourteenth was raised he was appointed adjutant and served in that position with marked ability until September 12, 1863, when he was promoted to be major of the regiment. Upon the resignation of Col. Wilson, Major Gardiner was appointed colonel; receiving his commission and being mustered only the day before the battle in which he received his death-wound. The circumstances connected with the mortal wounding of Col. Gardiner are detailed in their proper place. He lived until October 8 and is buried in Claremont. His widow now resides in Croydon. Col. Gardiner was a brilliant officer and a cultured man, thoroughly understanding the duties of his position, and capable of leading his men to the highest achievements. One fact is to be noticed. When Col. Gardiner took command of the regiment, it was immediately improved in the discipline; and he brought it up to its highest state of efficiency. He never sought popularity in the Fourteenth, and did not appear to care for it; other commanders of less ability might have won a stronger personal following, but from the first, he thoroughly identified himself with the regiment. As adjutant, he was equaled by few, excelled by none; while his natural abilities and military acquirements fully warranted his final promotion. He had the success of his command ever on his heart, and in that heart, there was a tenderer spot than everyone was able to touch. Col. Gardiner, in his ability, influence, and rank, contributed largely to that record of the Fourteenth Regiment of which its surviving members have every reason to be proud.

COLONEL ALEXANDER GARDINER, of the Fourteenth New Hampshire Volunteers, whose portrait is engraved on this page, was a native of New York City. Shortly after being admitted to the bar he removed to Kansas, then in her darkest hours of trouble, taking with him a printing-press and materials for the establishment of a Free State paper. But Lawrence was sacked and his press utterly destroyed before the issue of the first number of the paper. Colonel GARDINER did not practice law in Kansas, as he refused to take oath under the pro-slavery Constitution. Having seen Kansas substantially through her troubles, Colonel GARDINER removed to New Hampshire, and soon took a commanding position in his profession. He volunteered in the Fourteenth New Hampshire Volunteers, and was appointed Adjutant. After seeing service in Virginia the regiment went to New Orleans, when it was attached to the Nineteenth Corps, with which it returned to take part in the final struggle in Virginia. Adjutant GARDINER had been promoted to the command of the regiment, and was killed at its head while leading his men to the charge at the victorious battle of Winchester. The army may have lost more prominent officers, but none braver, nobler, truer.^[2]

Military Ranks and Promotions

• Adjutant
• Major September 12 [1863] a change occurred in the field and staff of the regiment: Major Duncan having resigned, Adjutant Gardiner was promoted to be major; while the position of adjutant was for some time vacant.^[3]
• Colonel September 12, 1864^[4]
• Posthumously-Brigadier General.^[5]

Death & Legacy

It was fatally hot for the Fourteenth as it emerged from the woods on its retreat over the open field. Just at the edge of the woods Orderly-Sergt. Felch fell. Our accomplished and heroic Col. Gardiner was last seen marching to the rear slowly, with sword lying across his left arm, calling upon his men to halt. He was shot about one-third of the way back from the second woods, while rallying his men.^[6]

Colonel Alexander Gardiner was posthumously brevetted a brigadier general. He is memorialized in Winchester National Cemetery. His name is inscribed on the left side of the monument.^[7]

Winchester National Cemetery is on the east side of Winchester, Virginia. The monument to the 14th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment is on the northwest side of the cemetery near the central flagpole.

Sources

1. ↑ A Memorial of the Great Rebellion Being a History of the Fourteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, p. 230-232
2. ↑ Civil War Harper's Weekly, November 5, 1864 p.716
3. ↑ A Memorial of the Great Rebellion Being a History of the Fourteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, p. 130
4. ↑ A Memorial of the Great Rebellion Being a History of the Fourteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, p. 407
5. ↑ Hunt, Roger D. and Brown, Jack R. Brevet Brigadier Generals in Blue, p. 496. Gaithersburg, MD: Olde Soldier Books, Inc., 1990. ISBN 1-56013-002-4
6. ↑ A Memorial of the Great Rebellion Being a History of the Fourteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, p. 215
7. ↑ http://stonesentinels.com/less-known/winchester-sites/national-cemetery/14-nh/

• Buffum, Francis. A Memorial of the Great Rebellion Being a History of the Fourteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers (Boston, MA, 1882)

• Ayling, Augustus D. Revised Register of the Soldiers and Sailors of New Hampshire in the War of the Rebellion (Concord, NH 1895)