John Lane Gardner

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John Lane Gardner (1793-1869)

John Lane Gardner (August 1, 1793 – February 19, 1869) was a Brigadier General in the US Army.

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 1, 1793. He entered the army in 1812 as lieutenant of infantry, saw his first active service in Canada, and was wounded at the battle of La Colle Mill, 30 March 1814, while serving under General James Wilkinson. After the war he was transferred to the artillery. In 1820 through 1830 he was assistant quartermaster-general, with the rank of captain, and in 1833 was brevetted major of artillery for ten years' faithful service. He served with his regiment during the Seminole Wars, and was reported to the department as having shown "the utmost activity, skill, and intrepidity " at the battle of Wahoo Swamp, 21 November 1832. He was promoted major in 1845, commanded his regiment throughout the Mexican–American War, was brevetted lieutenant colonel for service at the battle of Cerro Gordo, 18 April 1847, and colonel at Contreras on 20 August 1847, where he commanded the right column of attack. From 1842 through 1850 he was in command of the district of Florida, became lieutenant colonel in 1852, and some years later was stationed at Charleston harbor, where he was in command in 1860. Though mustering fewer than fifty men at Fort Moultrie, he effected an arrangement with Joseph Pannell Taylor, commissary-general, for six months' provisions, and announced his intention to defend the fort to the last extremity against the secessionists. Secretary of War John B. Floyd relieved him from command, and ordered him to report to General David E. Twiggs, in Texas. Major Robert Anderson succeeded to the command at Fort Moultrie, and on Christmas Eve removed the garrison to Fort Sumter. In 1861 he was promoted colonel of the 2d artillery, and the next year was, by his own request, placed on the retired list, and employed in recruiting service. In 1865 he was brevetted brigadier-general "for long and faithful service." He died in Wilmington, Delaware on February 19, 1869.