3 handwritten speeches, 2 of which were given at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia on California Day, Sept 9, 1876. The first was an introduction of Gen John A. Sutter. The second was a "Banquet Address" presumably on the same occasion. They are 11 handwritten pages and include newspaper versions of each address. The 3rd speech is undated, but written in the same hand, given to the Annual Banquet of the Society. The letters are all dated in 1914 between General Gibson and the Society regarding providing reminiscences of the 12 years in California. The General declines but directs the Society's attention to biographical resources at West Point. The speech provides no historical or biographical information.

H.G. (Horatio Gates) Gibson, Brigader General in the U.S. Army, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on May 22, 1827. He graduated from the US Military Academy in 1847. He arrived in San Francisco aboard the ship "Fanny Forester" on April 16, 1849 following service in the Mexican American War at Vera Cruz and Mexico City under General W Scott. After the war he was posted to the Pacific frontier and served there during the Gold Rush years. He served 12 years in California; built Ft. Churchill and Ft. Bragg and fought in indian Campaigns in California. During the U.S. Civial War he served in many campaigns as an artillery officer and was breveted Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers. After the war he reverted to his permanent rank of Captain and brevet rank of Colonel in the regular army. He then served in many coat artillery posts after the war and rose to the permanent rank of colonel and retired May 22, 1891. He was elevated to Brigadier General on April 23, 1904. He was married to Harriett Leavenworth Atkinson Walker (1835-1907) on March 16, 1863. She was born on May 18, 1835, and died Feb. 2, 1907. They had four children: Horatio Gates Gibson, Jr. (1866-1938); Catharine Fisher Bigson (b.1868 - ?); Agnes Walkere gibson (b.1869-?); and Henry Kenddrich Gibson (b.1876-?). H.G. Gates died in Washington, D.C. on April 18, 1924 at the age of 96, and is buried at the Wedst Point Cemetery at the United States Miliary Academy. Note: he was posted twice to the Presidio of San Francisco, California: (1856-57), 3rd U.S. Artillery. (1858-61), 3rd U.S. Artillery, Presidio of San Francisco and Expeditions to Carson Valley, California and combat during the Pyramid Lake Paiute Wart, Fort Churchill, Nevada.

1.0 folder 3 Speeches: 4 Letters

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