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Pillow, Gideon Johnson
Pillow, Gideon Johnson (1806–78) Confederate army officer. Having befriended James K. Polk, a native of the same Tennessee region, he received a commission as brigadier general of volunteers from Polk after Polk's election as president, and he served under Gen. Zachary Taylor during the Mexican War (1846–48). Despite mishandling his first battle command, Pillow was promoted and participated in other campaigns of the war. He incurred the wrath of Gen. Winfield Scott when he corresponded directly with President Polk, which damaged his prospects and his reputation, and after the war he returned to private life, becoming a prosperous planter. He was named commander of the Provisional Army of Tennessee but lost his post when Tennessee officially seceded and joined the Confederacy. His loss of Fort Donelson, in Tennessee, to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in 1862 temporarily cost him his command. A second command that same year, under Col. John C. Breckinridge at Stones River, was no more successful, and he was placed in an administrative position. One last attempt at command, protecting the mineral-rich areas of Alabama from Union attack, was similarly unsuccessful, and he finished his career in ruin.
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Cite this article
"Pillow, Gideon Johnson." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Pillow, Gideon Johnson." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-PillowGideonJohnson.html "Pillow, Gideon Johnson." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-PillowGideonJohnson.html |
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Gideon Johnson Pillow
Gideon Johnson Pillow 1806–78, American general, b. Williamson co., Tenn. In the Mexican War he was appointed brigadier general of Tennessee volunteers by his former law partner, President James K. Polk. He took part in the battles leading to the surrender of Mexico City and was made a major general (1847). He was charged with insubordination by Gen. Winfield Scott but acquitted by a court of inquiry. When the Civil War broke out he became a Confederate brigadier general. His conduct in escaping from Fort Donelson before the Confederate surrender caused the suspension of his command. |
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Cite this article
"Gideon Johnson Pillow." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Gideon Johnson Pillow." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Pillow-G.html "Gideon Johnson Pillow." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Pillow-G.html |
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