After the Mexican War, he served in Texas for two years before returning to West Point in 1850 as Assistant Professor of Geography, History and Ethics and being promoted to first lieutenant on June 10, 1850. In 1855, now a captain, he returned to Texas and fought the Indians
When the Civil War started, he commanded Fort Cobb in present-day Oklahoma. Gilbert rejoined his regiment and fought at the Battle of Wilson's Creek where he was wounded. During the Battle of Shiloh and Siege of Corinth, he was Inspector General of the Army of the Ohio.
During the Confederate Heartland Offensive, also known as the Kentucky Campaign which led to the Battle of Perryville, Major General William "Bull" Nelson was wounded at the Battle of Richmond and his Army of Kentucky severely mauled. Department commander Horatio G. Wright needed to find a replacement for Nelson.
But, the two ranking officers, Generals Charles Cruft and James S. Jackson, refused the promotion. At their recommendation, Wright promoted Gilbert to fill the vacancy and Gilbert was elevated to acting major general pending the approval of the president.
Several days later, President Abraham Lincoln promoted Gilbert to the rank of brigadier general of U.S. volunteers. Major General Carlos Buell appointed Gilbert to a corps commander in his Army of the Ohio, over such generals as Jeremiah T. Boyle, Jefferson C. Davis and Albin F. Schoeph. Buell later denied knowing that Gilbert had not received an official appointment.
Of course, Generals Nelson and Davis were later involved in that shooting incident.
--Old Secesh
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