Franklin Gardner  Franklin Kitchell Gardner (January 29, 1823 – April 29, 1873) was a Confederate major general in the American Civil War, noted for his service at the Siege of Port Hudson on the Mississippi River. Gardner built extensive fortifications at this important garrison, 16,000 strong at its peak. At the mercy of conflicting orders, he found himself besieged and greatly outnumbered. His achievement at holding out for 47 days and inflicting severe losses on the enemy before surrendering has been praised by military historians. Gardner was born in New York City to Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Kitchell Gardner (1787–1869) and Anne Eliza McLean Gardner (1801–1880). Charles Kitchell Gardner was son of a Revolutionary War hero. His mother was from Louisiana, where she was a member of a wealthy plantation-owning family. He attended the United States Military Academy from 1838 to 1843, being appointed by the State of Iowa, and distinguishing himself as the class's top Drawing student during the whole time. With mixed grades, his class rank was lowered by a fairly high number of demerits. He graduated 17th out of a class of 39. Among his classmates were Ulysses S. Grant, Rufus Ingalls, and Samuel G. French. He married Marie Celeste Mouton, the daughter of Louisiana Governor Alexander Mouton, shortly thereafter. His wife's brother, Alfred Mouton, also became a prominent Confederate general. Gardner's older sister became the second wife of his wife's father, cementing the ties between the two families. Upon graduation he was assigned as a Second Lieutenant in the 7th Infantry. Serving first in Pensacola, Florida, he served in the Mexican–American War, first under Major General Zachary Taylor, then under Major General Winfield Scott. At the Battle of Monterrey in September 1846, he received a brevet appointment to First Lieutenant for bravery. He later served at the siege of Vera Cruz, Churubusco, and Molino del Rey. For bravery in these later battles, he was brevetted once again to Captain. In 1847 he was assigned as Regimental Adjutant, a position he held until 1853. He served in various posts throughout the United States: in New York, Florida, Missouri, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and the Pacific Northwest. He received a promotion to full Captain in the 10th U.S. Infantry in March 1855, and served in the Utah War.