Roadtripping with Samuel A. Gilbert-- Part 3: Politicians and Brigadier Generals

**  ELEAZER ARTHUR PAINE 1815-1882):    Graduated from West Point in 1839.  Colonel of 9th Illinois Infantry.  Commanded 4th Division of Army of Mississippi at battles of Corinth,  Island No. 10 and Fort Pillow.  Placed in command of District of West Kentucky and deployed his corps to protect railroads from Confederate  raiders from 1862 to 1864.

Formally reprimanded for  brutality toward citizens  and violating their civil rights, he resigned in  November 1864.  After the war was a lawyer.

**  SAMUEL D. PHILLIPS  (1845-1915):  Indian Campaigns Medal of Honor recipient as member of 2nd U.S. Cavalry.  Received it for action at Muddy Creek, Montana.

**  Quite a few Union brigadier generals and Minnesota politicians.

**  JOHN BENJAMIN SANBORN (1826-1904):  Brigadier General.  Led troops at Battles of Iuka Corinth and Vicksburg.  After war sent to western frontier to subdue hostile Indians and attempted mediation  of difficulties between Indians of Indian Territory and their former slaves who had been freed by the 13th Amendment.

--Old Secesh

RoadTrippin' with Samuel A. Gilbert-- Part 2: A Route 66 Connection and Indian Wars

Since he was buried in this cemetery, we'll be taking a sroadtrip to see some othersof interest buried there.

**  MARY ELIZABETH JANE COLTER  (1869-1958)

Architect, interior designer credited as "The Architect of the Southwest" for her designs that incorporated Spanish and Indian influences with contemporary designs.

She worked with the Fred Harvey Company and completed 21  projects for them and the Santa Fe Railroad.  Also designed the  Navajo Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, in 1923 and the La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona, in 1929.

This is of special interest to Route 66 fans.

**  ALBERT WALTER McMILLAN  (1862-1948)

Indian Campaigns Medal of Honor recipient.  Awarded it as a member of  Co. E, 7th U.S. Cavalry for action at Wounded Knee in December 1890.  His father, SAMUEL JAMES RENWICK McMILLAN (1826-1897)) is also buried there.  His father was  a 2nd lieutenant with the Stillwater Guards in the Dakota Wars in 1862.

Of interest, I already have written about Samuel's brother, Charles, who was a Union general as well, whose daughter Isabel married John Chowning Gesham who was also in the 7th Cavalry and received a Medal of Honor at Wounded Knee.

**  Quite a few Civil War brigadier generals are also buried at Oakland Cemetery.

General Gilbert's Daughter Isabel Cass Gilbert Gresham: A Wounded Knee Connection

Charles Gilbert and his wife, Martha J. Prather Gilbert (1837-1930), had four children, two of whom survived to become adults.

His daughter, Isabel Cass Gilbert Gresham (1862-1938) married John  Chowning Gresham (1851-1926).  He was also in the U.S. Army and received a Medal of Honor during the Indian Campaigns.

Served as first lieutenant in the 7th Cavalry and received his medal for service at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota,  on December 29, 1890.

His citation reads:  "Voluntarily led a party into a ravine to dislodge Sioux Indians concealed therein.  He was wounded during this action."

This is what is known today as the Wounded Knee Massacre.  Twenty soldiers were awarded Medals of Honor at it.

He and his wife Isabel are both buried at the San Francisco National Cemetery.

--Old Secesh