Adley Hogan Gladden was born in Fairfield County, Oct. 23, 1810. The first years of his business life were spent in Columbia. He enlisted in the service of his country, first in the Seminole War and later in the war with Mexico in which he rendered brilliant service. He was elected major of the famed Palmetto Regiment and succeeded to the rank of colonel. In the battles that led to the surrender of the City of Mexico, he greatly distinguished himself, planting the Palmetto flag on the walls of the city with his own hands, he being borne up on the arms of his gallant and devoted men. Shortly after the conclusion of peace he settled in New Orleans.
When Abraham Lincoln became President of the United States, Mr. Gladden became convinced that a further union with the Northern people was impossible and he cooperated zealously in the movement that led to secession. As a member of the convention that passed the Ordinance of the Secession of Louisiana, he was active, energetic and faithful. Shortly after the adjournment of the convention he was elected colonel of the First Regiment of Louisiana regulars and almost immediately proceeded to Pensacola, Fla., where he remained under the command of Gen. Braxton Bragg for several months.
His services were of the most efficient character and so highly were they appreciated at headquarters that the president promoted him to the rank of Brigadier General. He accompanied Gen. Bragg to Tennessee to join Gen. Beauregard’s column with as gallant a brigade as ever marched to the battlefield, and in the mighty conflict of arms on the bloodstained plains of Shiloh was so seriously wounded that he died about six days later.
Account By Correspondent
The army correspondent of the New Orleans Delta, writing from Corinth, gave the following particulars of the gallant conduct, and the nature of the wound that resulted in the death of General Gladden:
“The noble old chief, Gladden, had at last attained the summit of his aspirations. He has led his brigade in just such a charge as for many months he had earnestly panted for the opportunity of making. He had won a splendid success. His brigade has justified his confidence and his pledge. He was justly proud and exultant at the splendid display of courage and heroism which had been made by troops he had drilled and in whose organization and welfare he had centered all his care and ambition. There were other charges to make and other batteries to be carried. ‘So forward let us go’ were the words which he had just exultantly uttered when his faithful friend and aide Capt. Scott from Mobile observed a sudden shock and thrill of his body as a crushing fire shot and shell came tearing through the camp. His bridle arm fell helpless and raising his right are to his brow he said, ‘Scott I am struck, but let’s go on.’ His wounded and exhausted charger, as if in conscious sympathy with his master, moved but a few steps when the general said: ‘It is a serious hurt! Help me down, Scott.’ His aide quickly assisted his to alight and applying his hand to the wounded limb of his general found that the left arm near the shoulder was crushed to a jelly. An ambulance was called, and the was placed in it and borne to the rear, Capt. Scott driving. That gallant officer himself had just made a narrow escape. A grape shot struck him directly in the eye. It was fortunately spent and left only a confused wound.”
Faint But Still Smiling
“We were then but a short distance from the scene, and meeting the ambulance driven by Scott, galloping to the rear we apprehended the very casualty which had occurred, for Scott would never leave the side of his beloved General. He waved his hand mournfully toward us. We ran forward and looking within the ambulance there saw our gallant friend stretched out in intense agony; pale and faint but still smiling with the fortitude of his great bravery. We followed the ambulance until it halted before Beauregard’s headquarters.
“Dr. Choppin was on hand, busy in his terrible avocation of amputating limbs and dressing wounds. He paused from all other labors to attend the case of our gallant general. The necessity of immediate amputation was quickly perceived — the operation was performed with masterly skill and clarity. The mutilated limb still presented a dangerous aspect. It had been dreadfully contused and the shock from such a blow must have been excessively violent. The wounded hero remained at Beauregard’s headquarters. On our return to the battlefield we overtook a sergeant in the uniform of the Louisiana infantry. He was a powerful looking fellow and the horse he rode was bleeding from several wounds. It was a small but noble looking black charger. ‘Is not that General Gladden’s horse?’ we asked. ‘Yes,’ mournfully answered the sergeant. ‘It is the charger of as brave a man as ever drew a sword. I was in the Crimean and Indian wars, and I saw the best fighting in those campaigns but I never saw such fighting as the “Old Bengal” got out of out boys today, 200 of whom he persuaded to continue for the battle though their time ran out. I never saw any general bear himself like that little man. God grant he may get well.’ Tears streaming down his swarthy cheeks testified the sincerity of the rude, honest solider. Alas! Alas! An all-wise providence decreed that this the prayer of so many thousands of others in the army and throughout the beloved South should not be heeded, for after a few days of agony the heroic Gladden departed from the scene of his glory and his triumphs amid a circle of mourning friends. The president of the Southern Rights Association of Louisiana had attested the sincerity of his devotion to the cause, of which he had been one of the first champions. Among the luster then that of A. H. Gladden the gallant leader of the renowned Palmetto regiment in the valley of Mexico and the idolized commander of the fighting brigade of Pensacola.”
By Command of General Braxton Bragg
This was followed by General Order No. 22 on April 12 which stated:
“The General commanding announces with pain the death of Brigadier General A. H. Gladden, who fell at the head of this Brigade on the Battlefield of ‘Shiloh.’ He was a true solider, courageous, but cool in danger; exacting, but just in discipline; honest, but frank in action. He was all that true men love and admire. To the reputation achieved in the war with Mexico, he had added the imperishable fame of his noble daring on the field of ‘Shiloh.’ His country mourns him as a Hero, his commander as a General, and his soldiers as a Father.”
Russell S. Hall, of Germantown, Tenn., is a cousin of General Gladden
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