Gilbert M. L. Johnson

Who was Gilbert M. L. Johnson?

Gilbert Marquis LaFayette Johnson was an officer in the Union Army from Indiana during the American Civil War, reaching the rank of brevet brigadier general.

In October 1861, he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the 2nd Indiana Cavalry Regiment, the first complete cavalry regiment raised in Indiana. The regiment served in Kentucky in the winter of 1861 and 1862, and Johnson was promoted to captain in April 1862, serving as an assistant inspector general on the staff of Brig. Gen. James S. Negley.

In March 1864, Johnson was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 11th Indiana Cavalry Regiment, and one month later, was promoted to colonel and given command of the 13th Indiana Cavalry Regiment. His regiment served in 1864 as part of the occupying force at Huntsville, Alabama. On March 13, 1865, Johnson was brevetted brigadier general. He mustered out with his regiment on September 25, 1865.

After the war, Johnson returned to Huntsville, Alabama, and married the daughter of a prominent Huntsville citizen. He served as the town's postmaster from 1869 until his death in 1871 of complications from his war wounds. He was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville.