ORIGINAL COPY OF “THE ARTILLERIST’S MANUAL” BY THEN 1ST LIEUTENANT JOHN GIBBON

$85.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: B6115

Volume is complete with all plates and is tightly bound except for the front and back leather covers that have become loose and separated from the volume but are present. The leather spine cover has split in two at the midway point. The upper half has separated from the volume but is present, the bottom half is still attached to the book.

This tome meas. approx. 6.25 x 9.25 inches and runs approx. 568 pages with the index. It was published in 1860 by D. VAN NOSTRAND of New York. The volume has fourteen chapters as follows:

Gun Powder, Ordnance, Form Of Ordnance, Rifles, Projectiles, Artillery Carriages, The Theory Of Fire, The Practice Of Fire, Fuzes, Implements, Ammunition, Field Artillery, Attack and Defense Of Places And Passage Of Rivers And Making Bridges Etc..

The book has light surface dirt throughout but is still holding tightly together and is a good readable copy.

The second page of the book has a period ink inscription that reads “CAPT. THOMAS COLUMB” who served as a Captain in the 2nd and 11th New York State Militia in 1857 and 1858 respectively. Nothing else is known about him other than that he died in 1894.

John Gibbon was born April 20, 1827 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  When he was ten, his father accepted a position at the U.S. Mint in Charlotte, North Carolina and relocated the entire family there.  In 1842, Gibbon received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy.  He graduated in the middle of his class in 1847 and was made a 2nd Lieutenant of artillery.  He served in the Mexican and Seminole Wars and was in Texas before returning to West Point in 1854 to teach artillery tactics.  Gibbon published a book titled “The Artillerist’s Manual” in 1859.  This text was widely read and used by both sides during the Civil War.

Following the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April 1861, Gibbon, in spite of the fact that his father was a slaveholder and three of his brothers and his cousin [J. Johnston Pettigrew] went on to fight for the Confederacy, upheld his oath to the United States and reported to Washington for assignment. He was made Chief of Artillery for Major General Irvin McDowell, and a year later was promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers and placed in command of the famous “Iron Brigade.” He led the brigade at Brawner’s Farm, Second Manassas, South Mountain and Antietam, where Gibbon himself personally manned an artillery piece.

Late in 1862, Gibbon was promoted to command of the 2nd division, 1st Corps, which he led at Fredericksburg where he was wounded.  Returning to duty several months later, Gibbon commanded the 2nd Division of Hancock’s 2nd Corps at Gettysburg, and even directed the Corps itself for brief periods during the battle.  On July 3, Gibbon’s men, stationed along Cemetery Ridge, played a significant role in the repulse of Pickett’s Charge, and Gibbon was wounded for a second time.

By the time of the opening of the Overland Campaign of 1864, Gibbon was back in command of his division and led his men at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor and the investment of Petersburg.    In June, 1864, Gibbon was promoted to Major General and in January of the following year was given command of the 24thCorps in the Army of the James.

At the conclusion of the Appomattox Campaign that spring, Gibbon served as one of the surrender commissioners when the Army of Northern Virginia finally succumbed to defeat.

Gibbon remained in the Army until 1891, having served nearly fifty years.  In his post-war career, Gibbon, like most regular army men, was primarily engaged with the Indians on the frontier.  It was Gibbon’s column who came upon the remains of Custer and his men after Little Big Horn, and Gibbon who led a successful campaign against Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce the following year.  He retired in 1891 and moved to Baltimore, where he died on February 6, 1896 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  [ad]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About ORIGINAL COPY OF “THE ARTILLERIST’S MANUAL” BY THEN 1ST LIEUTENANT JOHN GIBBON

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

ARMED CONFEDERATE LIEUTENANT COLONEL

This uncased eighth-plate tintype is a very clear studio view of a Confederate lieutenant colonel wear frock coat, narrow brim hat, gauntlets and tall boots. He has tilted his hat slightly to one side and wears a sort of tight-lipped smile. His… (1138-2029). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

28
Mar

April 13-14: Spring Gettysburg Military Antiques Show Learn More »

Instagram