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Submitted: 4/21/20 • Approved: 4/21/20 • Last Updated: 4/24/20 • R302122-G0-S3
CAPTAIN
Mexican American War
1815 - 1846
CAPTAIN R. A. GILLESPIE.
ROBERT ADDISON GILLESPIE was a native of Tennessee, but for many years prior to the Mexican war resided first in Alabama and afterwards in Texas. In the latter country he served under the celebrated Hays, in his skirmishes with the Indians. He volunteered his services to General Taylor, which were immediately accepted, and his rangers performed excellent service in the march from Matamoras to Monterey. At the latter place he moved with Worth's division, and had some severe skirmishing with parties of lancers, who charged outside their works. General Henderson thus notices him in his official despatch:—
"In doing justice to the living, let us not be forgetful of the dead. Among the fallen in my command, we have been called upon to mourn the fate of a young officer who was the brightest ornament of the service, the soul of honour, and the pride of chivalry. He had long been employed by the government of Texas in defence of the western frontier, as the commander of a corps of mounted rangers, and probably no officer ever performed his duty with more activity and efficiency, or with more satisfaction to the country. He possessed nothing of the rough habits, ignorance, and presuming forwardness which is usually supposed to attach to the frontier soldier. He was an educated man, and a gentleman by nature; quiet in his manners, amiable in temper, just in his dealings, and strictly moral in his habits. During his connection with the present campaign, his deportment was such — so marked by a happy union of modesty with bravery, and dignity with obedience — as to win the hearts of all, and constitute him the chief favourite of the army. He followed the fortunes of General Worth, shared in all the dangers of the command, and closed his brilliant career amidst the shouts of victory. Though feeble in frame, the inspiring energies of his mind enabled him to keep in advance of his comrades, so that in the storming of the Bishop's Hill, he was the foremost man and the first victim upon the ramparts of the foe. He was buried where he fell —upon the loftiest summit—and the mountain that encloses his remains will stand an eternal monument of his glory—it will be known in history, and long frequented by his grateful countrymen as the grave of Gillespie."
Similar is the language of General Worth. He "eminently distinguished himself while leading his brave company at the storming of the first height, and perished in seeking similar distinction on a second occasion." Ref: "The Mexican War and Its Heroes"
*Photo courtesy of:
Bill & Denise Etherton
Contributed on 4/21/20 by ashaw444
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Record #: 302122
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