He was the grandson of American Revolutionary War Captain John Mott, who guided General George Washington’s army down the Delaware River to the celebrated victory at the Battle of Trenton.

Gershom Mott began to work when he was only fourteen years old as a sales clerk in a dry goods store in New York City.

In the summer after the start of the Civil War, Mott was appointed the lieutenant colonel of the 5th New Jersey Infantry Regiment, part of the Army of the Potomac.

His regiment fought in the Peninsula Campaign and shortly after the Battle of Williamsburg he was promoted to colonel and command of the 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry.

During the Second Battle of Bull Run, Mott was severely wounded in the arm and for his bravery was promoted to brigadier general on September 7, 1862.

Mott led a brigade in the III Corps at the Battle of Chancellorsville, but was again seriously wounded and missed the subsequent Gettysburg Campaign.

The demoralized troops however never got closer than a quarter of a mile from the Confederate lines as a barrage of artillery fire sent them running.

He was one of the few Union officers to be commended for his actions in the disastrous Battle of the Crater, for which he was given a brevet promotion to major general.