Theodore K. Gibbs (1840-1909) was born in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1840 and was the youngest son of Rhode Island Governor, William Channing Gibbs (1790-1871) and Mary Kane (1800-1873). Gibbs enlisted in the United States Army in October 1861 as the second lieutenant of the 1st Regiment of the United States Artillery and served throughout the American Civil War (1861-1865). He was appointed first lieutenant on February 20, 1862, and earned his next two rankings for the injuries he suffered and his gallantry during the Battle of Olustee, Florida, in February 1864 and the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, in June 1864. He resigned from the Army on May 1, 1870, with the rank of major. Gibbs and his wife, Virginia Barrett (d. 1926), maintained homes in both New York City and Newport. Thomas K. Gibbs died on January 16, 1909.
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Theodore K. Gibbs commissions, RLC.Ms.537, Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
This collection consists of two United States Army commissions conferred upon Theodore K. Gibbs for his service during the American Civil War. Gibbs was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant on April 16, 1862 by Edwin Stanton, (1814-1869), Secretary of War, and President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865). This commission includes their original signatures. Gibbs was awarded the rank of captain on August 20, 1866, for his gallantry and meritorious service during the Battle of Olustee, Florida on February 20, 1864, by Stanton and President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875). This second commission does not include Stanton and Johnson’s original signatures.
This collection is arranged in chronological order.
Acquisition information is unknown.
This collection was initially processed by Aimee Saunders in 2010.