Francis Marion Gibson – Captain, United States Army

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Francis Marion Gibson was born in Philadelphia and appointed by President Andrew Johnson in 1867 as a Second Lieutenant, United States Army.

Gibson was first assigned to duty on the Western frontier and became famous as an Indian Scout and was with the 2nd Battalion of the Seventh United States Cavalry, under the general command of Lieutenant Colonel (Brevet Major General) George Armstrong Custer, when the later was surrounded and killed and his supporting battalion wiped out by Indians at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. He was among the first officers to ride to the rescue, but arrived too late.

Lieutenant Donald McIntosh, who was killed with Custer, was Gibson’s brother-in-law. Gibson recovered McIntosh’s body and was instrumental in having him buried in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Gibson later served as Deputy Street Cleaning Commissioner in New York City (1895-1912) and was at one time mentioned as a candidate for mayor of New York City.

Gibson died in New York City, January 18, 1919 and was buried in Section 1, Grave 107, of Arlington National Cemetery following full military honors.

GIBSON, FRANCIS M

  • CAPT USA RET
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
  • DATE OF DEATH: 01/17/1919
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
  • BURIED AT: SECTION W-W  SITE LOT 107
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

GIBSON, KATE G WID OF GIBSON, FRANCIS M

  • DATE OF DEATH: 07/17/1934
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 07/20/1934
  • BURIED AT: SECTION WEST  SITE 107-A
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF FM GIBSON – CAPT 7TH CAV USA

Francis Marion Gibson of Pennsylvania
Appointed from Pennsylvania, Second Lieutenant, 7th United States Calvary, 5 October 1867
First Lieutenant, 11 July 1871
Captain,  5 February 1880
Retired 3 December 1891

Gibson, Francis Marion

On temporary duty commanding Company G in the hilltop fight at the Little Big Horn battle.

Born on December 14, 1847 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was appointed to military service from that city and commissioned Second Lieuenant, 7th United States Cavalry, on October 5, 1867. He joined the regiment on December 7, 1867, and served at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, until June 1868. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on July 11, 1871.

He participated in Colonel David Stanley’s Yellowstone Expedition, escorting the Northern Pacific Railroad Survey and exploring the valley of the Yellowstone River from May 7 to September 21, 1873, and in the expedition to the Black Hills in July and August 1874. He was on scouting duty at Fort Randall from May 1875 to May 1876.

On May 17, 1876, he departed from Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, with the 7th Cavalry on the Sioux Campaign. He returned to Fort Lincoln on Sepember 26 upon termination of that part of the campaign. His company then proceeded to disarm and dismount agency Indians and then returned to winter station at Fort Rice on November 10.  He was engaged in the Nez Perce campaign from April 18, 1877, and returned to station on November 8 at Fort Rice. He was promoted to Captain to rank from February 5, 1880. On field service until July 25, 1887, and at Fort Riley until June 11, 1889, and on sick leave from then to October 20, 1889, and on recruiting duty until October 1, 1980, and again on sick leave until December 3, 1891, when, after 22 years of service, he was retired for disability.  By 1893, he had completely recovered from his illness and requested restoration to active duty.  He died on January 7, 1919 in New York City and was interred in the National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.  He was survived by his wife, Katherine Garrett Gibson, and daughter, Katherine.

January 18, 1919:

Caprain Francis Marion Gibson, United States Army, retired, for 17 years the Deputy Street Cleaning Commissioner of New York City, and at one time mentioned as a candidate for Mayor of New York City by the late Theodore Roosevelt, died last night at his home, 318 West 84th Street, at age of 71.  he was born in Philadelphia and appointed by President Johnson in 1867 a Second Lieutenant and soon rose to Captain. He retired in 1891.

He was first assigned to duty on Western frontier.  Became famous as an Indian scout, and was with 2nd Battalion of 7th United States Cavalry, under command of Custer, when the latter was surrounded and killed, and his supporting battalion was wiped out by Indians. Was among first to go to rescue, but reserves arrived too late.

Served as Deputy Commissioner of Street Cleaning Department from 1895 to 1912. He was brother-in-law of Donald McIntosh.  They were married to sisters, Katherine (Kate) Garrett Gibson and Mary (Mollie) Garrett McIntosh.

Gibson, Katherine (Kate)

Wife of Francis Marion Gibson.  “He giveth his beloved sleep.”  Sister-in-law of Donald McIntosh to whom her sister, Mary (Mollie) Garrett McIntosh was married.

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