Portrait of Brig. Gen. John Gibbon, officer of the Federal Army between 1860 and 1865.
On Tuesday, June 25, at 7:15 p.m., the Pasadena Civil War Round Table will present a free event at The Blinn House focusing on the life and legacy of John Gibbon, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure of the Civil War era.
Born into a North Carolina slave-owning family, Gibbon’s loyalty to the Union sharply contrasted with his Southern roots, leading him to play crucial roles in key battles such as Gettysburg and Appomattox.
“John Gibbon provides a bit of a paradox in that he was born into a Southern, slave-holding family, yet he chose to fight for the Union side in the Civil War,” said Janet Whaley, Program Chair of the Pasadena Civil War Round Table.
Gibbon’s wartime leadership of the famed Iron Brigade and his defense of the center during Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg solidified his military reputation. However, his post-war years were marked by complex involvement in Native American affairs, including his role as an “Indian fighter” and his efforts in rescuing survivors of the Battle of Little Bighorn. Despite his advocacy for Native American justice, Gibbon’s career was often marred by clashes with both superiors and subordinates.
The upcoming lecture by speaker George Melrod aims to shed light on the intricacies of Gibbon’s life and his significant contributions to American history.
“Each of our monthly presentations highlights the historical complexities of a war that pitted brother against brother and tore this country apart,” Whaley explained. “Studying Civil War history allows our members to learn more about the various facets of the history of the Civil War.”
The Pasadena Civil War Round Table, founded in the 1960s during the Civil War Centennial, has seen a resurgence in interest over the past 40 years, with membership currently at its highest point ever. The organization holds meetings monthly (except November) on the fourth Tuesday at 7:15 p.m.
“Interest in the Civil War surged again with the PBS broadcast of Ken Burns’ documentary on the Civil War in 1990, and yet again during the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in 2011 to 2015,” Whaley said.
As the nation continues to grapple with the consequences of the Civil War and the unfulfilled promise of equality, Whaley believes that studying this history is crucial.
“We are still, over 160 years later, dealing with the consequences of that war, the Reconstruction era that followed it, and the march forward to America’s founding promise that ‘all men are created equal,'” she said. “But studying this history can give us a greater understanding of where we have been as a country, and how we can chart a better path forward to that promise.”
The event is free to attend.
For more information on upcoming presentations, visit http://pasadenacwrt.org/upcoming_presentations.
