John L. Gardner

John Lane Gardner (August 1, 1793–February 19, 1869) was a career officer in the United States Army who reached the rank of colonel and brevet brigadier general. Gardner served in the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars, the Mexican-American War, and the American Civil War and received multiple commendations for gallantry and competency.

Early life Gardner was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 1, 1793.

Military service War of 1812 During the War of 1812, Gardner received a commission of third lieutenant in the United States Army on May 20, 1813, and was assigned to the 4th U.S. Infantry. His first experience of combat was in Canada where he was wounded in the Battle of La Cole Mills on March 30, 1814, while serving under General James Wilkinson.

Mexican–American War During the Mexican–American War, Gardner was a major in the 4th U.S. Artillery At the Battle of Cerro Gordo he commanded a company of the 7th U.S. Infantry, many of whom were killed or wounded during combat. He was later praised by his commanders, including Scott in his report of April 23, 1847, for his signal services.

In January 1848, during the occupation of northern Mexico, Gardner oversaw the shipment of bullion and enforced the collection of taxes on bullion as Superintendent of Assessment for the Federal District.

Antebellum Period During the Third Seminole War (1855-1858), Gardner was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Capron, Florida. On June 16, 1858, while serving as commander of Company A, 4th U.S. Artillery, he was transferred to Fort Moultrie, South Carolina for additional garrison duty. In August, a yellow fever epidemic broke out amongst the companies of newly arrived artillerymen, infecting 49 and eventually killing 28. To reduce the possibility of further spreading of the epidemic, Washington authorized Gardner to temporarily move his command outside the fort, and he was absent from throughout most of the summer of 1859 scouting out potential arrangements around Smithville, North Carolina.

As commandant of Fort Moultrie, Gardner took up residence with his family outside of the walls of the fort in a large house directly opposite the Western Postern-Gate. Living in the nearby community, he could not take a very active or visible role giving aid to the fort fearing reprisal to his family and himself. Although he was a Union officer, Gardner still held various southern sympathies and felt that the South had been treated unfairly in the question of territories and had been defrauded by the interests in the North. However, he acquiesced when it came to defending the forts in Charleston Harbor. During the months leading up to the Civil War, Gardner, realizing that secessionist tensions were mounting, made several requests to Secretary of War John B. Floyd for troops to reinforce the garrison at Fort Moultrie, but he received only 70 men, most of whom were southern sympathizers. Floyd, a southern sympathizer, had the intent to weaken the forts at Charleston Harbor so they would fall in the hands of the South Carolinians if there was conflict. Gardner did not receive extra provisions for these men, and he wrote to an old friend, Colonel Joseph P. Taylor,

On November 8, 1860, Colonel Gardner ordered Captain Truman Seymour to transfer arms from the Charleston Arsenal to Fort Moultrie, but the shipment was blocked by civilians. Through an observer, Floyd learned that Gardner had been working his men day and night to strengthen the defenses of Fort Moultrie and had increased its supply of provisions and ammunition. Gardner was ordered to report to General David E. Twiggs in Texas.

Gardner died of pneumonia in Wilmington, Delaware, on February 19, 1869,

Dates of rank United States Army + Date Insignia Rank Brevet Promotions May 20, 1813 40px Third lieutenant March 28, 1814 40px Second lieutenant April 20, 1818 40px First lieutenant Bvt. Captain (1820) November 1, 1823 40px75px Captain Bvt. Major (1833) October 13, 1845 75px Major Bvt. Lieutenant colonel (1847)Bvt. Colonel (1847) August 3, 1852 75px Lieutenant colonel July 23, 1861 75px Colonel November 1, 1861 Placed on the retired list with the rank of colonel (died February 19, 1869). Bvt. Brigadier general (1865)