Gilbert M. L. Johnson
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Marquis LaFayette Johnson (November 4, 1837 – January 9, 1871) was an officer in the Union Army
from Indiana
during the American Civil War
, reaching the rank of brevet
brigadier general
.
In October 1861, he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the 2nd Indiana Cavalry Regiment
, the first complete cavalry
regiment
raised in Indiana. The regiment served in Kentucky
in the winter of 1861 and 1862, and Johnson was promoted to captain in April 1862, serving as an assistant inspector general
on the staff of Brig. Gen. James S. Negley
.
In March 1864, Johnson was commissioned lieutenant colonel
of the 11th Indiana Cavalry Regiment, and one month later, was promoted to colonel
and given command of the 13th Indiana Cavalry Regiment. His regiment served in 1864 as part of the occupying force at Huntsville
, Alabama
. On March 13, 1865, Johnson was brevetted brigadier general. He mustered out with his regiment on September 25, 1865.
After the war, Johnson returned to Huntsville, Alabama, and married the daughter of a prominent Huntsville citizen. He served as the town's postmaster
from 1869 until his death in 1871 of complications from his war wounds. He was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery
in Huntsville.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
from Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, reaching the rank of brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
.
In October 1861, he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the 2nd Indiana Cavalry Regiment
2nd Regiment Indiana Cavalry
The 2nd Regiment Indiana Cavalry, also designated the 41st Regiment Indiana Infantry or the 41st Regiment Indiana Volunteers, was the first complete cavalry regiment raised in the U.S. state of Indiana to fight in the American Civil War.-Service:...
, the first complete cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
raised in Indiana. The regiment served in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
in the winter of 1861 and 1862, and Johnson was promoted to captain in April 1862, serving as an assistant inspector general
Inspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
on the staff of Brig. Gen. James S. Negley
James S. Negley
James Scott Negley was an American Civil War General, farmer, railroader, and U.S. Representative from the state of Pennsylvania. He played a key role in the Union victory at the Battle of Murfreesboro.-Early life:...
.
In March 1864, Johnson was commissioned lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
of the 11th Indiana Cavalry Regiment, and one month later, was promoted to colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
and given command of the 13th Indiana Cavalry Regiment. His regiment served in 1864 as part of the occupying force at Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. On March 13, 1865, Johnson was brevetted brigadier general. He mustered out with his regiment on September 25, 1865.
After the war, Johnson returned to Huntsville, Alabama, and married the daughter of a prominent Huntsville citizen. He served as the town's postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
from 1869 until his death in 1871 of complications from his war wounds. He was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery
Maple Hill Cemetery (Huntsville, Alabama)
Maple Hill Cemetery is the oldest and largest cemetery in Huntsville, Alabama. Founded on two acres in about the year 1822, it now encompasses nearly 100 acres and contains over 80,000 burials...
in Huntsville.