Henry A. Barnum
Encyclopedia
Henry Alanson Barnum was a United States Army
officer during the American Civil War
and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
.
, and educated in the common schools. He attended Syracuse Institute and passed his bar exam in 1860, four years after his graduation.
of that regiment
. He served with distinction with that command, including the Peninsula Campaign
under Maj. Gen.
George B. McClellan
, until July 1, 1862, when he was dangerously wounded by gunshot through the left ilium
, at Malvern Hill
, Virginia
. At the time, the wound was supposed to be mortal; his body was abandoned and fell into the hands of the enemy, but afterward he returned to the Union lines, so far recovered from his injury as to accept a commission as colonel
in the 149th New York, dated October 4, 1862, rank September 17, 1862, and was mustered into service with the regiment at Syracuse, New York
.
Not being able to assume immediate command, he joined the regiment in the field on the eve of its departure from Fairfax Station, Virginia
, January 18, 1863. He soon required further surgical operations, and on April 1, obtained leave of absence and went to Albany, New York
, for treatment under Dr. March.
He next joined the regiment at Edward's Ferry, Maryland
, during the Gettysburg Campaign
, but was still too ill to render active service only part of the time, and at Ellis' Ford, Virginia, August 6, 1863, was compelled a second time to leave the regiment, and went to Washington, D.C.
, for treatment.
He again joined the regiment at Wauhatchie, Tennessee, on November 10, 1863, and received a flesh wound in the right forearm while leading the charge of his regiment at the Battle of Lookout Mountain
, November 24, 1863.
On December 23, in pursuance of an order of Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, he was detailed to convey the captured flags taken by the 149th New York and other regiments to the War Department at Washington, and also received a leave of absence for twenty days, to take effect after the performance of such duty. For this service no recognition was given at the time, but later Col. Barnum received the Medal of Honor
. While absent in the performance of this duty, Barnum received further surgical treatment, and being disabled for field duty, was placed on recruiting service for the regiment, and again joined his command at Kennesaw Mountain
, Georgia, about June 26, 1864, and a few days later was wounded by a fragment of shell in the right side at Peach Tree Creek
, Georgia, July 20, 1864.
On September 10, following the death of Colonel David Ireland
at Atlanta, Barnum assumed command of the 3rd Brigade, which he retained for the rest of the war.
At Savannah, Georgia
, Barnum led his brigade, first in Sherman's command, into the captured city, and under Brig. Gen. John W. Geary
had charge of its western portion during the occupancy by General Sherman. Soon after the capture of Savannah, Barnum received the brevet rank
of brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers, and afterwards at Washington, D.C., the full rank of that grade to date May 31, 1865, and soon afterward the brevet rank of major general of U.S. Volunteers to date from March 13, 1865.
After the war Barnum was frequently honored in public and private life. He was New York State Prison Inspector
from 1866 to 1868, elected on the Republican ticket in 1865
, but defeated for re-election in 1868.
Barnum died in New York City and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, New York
.
Citation:
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Early life
Barnum was born in Jamesville, New YorkJamesville, New York
Jamesville is a hamlet in De Witt, Onondaga County, New York, United States, part of the greater Syracuse area.The history of the community is documented in the book Water, Wheels and Stone: Heritage of the Little Village by the Creek, Jamesville, New York, written by Jean Schutz Keough, and...
, and educated in the common schools. He attended Syracuse Institute and passed his bar exam in 1860, four years after his graduation.
Civil War
Barnum entered the U.S. service May 13, 1861, as captain of Company I, 12th N.Y. Infantry, at the age of 27; and afterward in October 1861 was promoted to majorMajor (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
of that regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
. He served with distinction with that command, including the Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
under Maj. Gen.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
George B. McClellan
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
, until July 1, 1862, when he was dangerously wounded by gunshot through the left ilium
Ilium (bone)
The ilium is the uppermost and largest bone of the pelvis, and appears in most vertebrates including mammals and birds, but not bony fish. All reptiles have an ilium except snakes, although some snake species have a tiny bone which is considered to be an ilium.The name comes from the Latin ,...
, at Malvern Hill
Battle of Malvern Hill
The Battle of Malvern Hill, also known as the Battle of Poindexter's Farm, took place on July 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, on the seventh and last day of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. Gen. Robert E. Lee launched a series of disjointed assaults on the nearly impregnable...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. At the time, the wound was supposed to be mortal; his body was abandoned and fell into the hands of the enemy, but afterward he returned to the Union lines, so far recovered from his injury as to accept a commission as colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
in the 149th New York, dated October 4, 1862, rank September 17, 1862, and was mustered into service with the regiment at Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
.
Not being able to assume immediate command, he joined the regiment in the field on the eve of its departure from Fairfax Station, Virginia
Fairfax Station, Virginia
Fairfax Station is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, ZIP code 22039. The population as of the 2010 Census was 12,030. As a suburb of Washington, DC, it is a bedroom community for many who work in the federal government.-Averages:...
, January 18, 1863. He soon required further surgical operations, and on April 1, obtained leave of absence and went to Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, for treatment under Dr. March.
He next joined the regiment at Edward's Ferry, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, during the Gettysburg Campaign
Gettysburg Campaign
The Gettysburg Campaign was a series of battles fought in June and July 1863, during the American Civil War. After his victory in the Battle of Chancellorsville, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia moved north for offensive operations in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The...
, but was still too ill to render active service only part of the time, and at Ellis' Ford, Virginia, August 6, 1863, was compelled a second time to leave the regiment, and went to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, for treatment.
He again joined the regiment at Wauhatchie, Tennessee, on November 10, 1863, and received a flesh wound in the right forearm while leading the charge of his regiment at the Battle of Lookout Mountain
Battle of Lookout Mountain
The Battle of Lookout Mountain was fought November 24, 1863, as part of the Chattanooga Campaign of the American Civil War. Union forces under Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker assaulted Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and defeated Confederate forces commanded by Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson....
, November 24, 1863.
On December 23, in pursuance of an order of Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, he was detailed to convey the captured flags taken by the 149th New York and other regiments to the War Department at Washington, and also received a leave of absence for twenty days, to take effect after the performance of such duty. For this service no recognition was given at the time, but later Col. Barnum received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. While absent in the performance of this duty, Barnum received further surgical treatment, and being disabled for field duty, was placed on recruiting service for the regiment, and again joined his command at Kennesaw Mountain
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was fought on June 27, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. It was the most significant frontal assault launched by Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman against the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Gen. Joseph E...
, Georgia, about June 26, 1864, and a few days later was wounded by a fragment of shell in the right side at Peach Tree Creek
Battle of Peachtree Creek
The Battle of Peachtree Creek was fought in Georgia on July 20, 1864, as part of the Atlanta Campaign in the American Civil War. It was the first major attack by Lt. Gen. John B. Hood since taking command of the Confederate Army of Tennessee. The attack was against Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's...
, Georgia, July 20, 1864.
On September 10, following the death of Colonel David Ireland
David Ireland (colonel)
David Ireland was a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Commanding the 137th New York Infantry Regiment, he played a key defensive role on Culp's Hill in the Battle of Gettysburg.-Early life:...
at Atlanta, Barnum assumed command of the 3rd Brigade, which he retained for the rest of the war.
At Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, Barnum led his brigade, first in Sherman's command, into the captured city, and under Brig. Gen. John W. Geary
John W. Geary
John White Geary was an American lawyer, politician, Freemason, and a Union general in the American Civil War...
had charge of its western portion during the occupancy by General Sherman. Soon after the capture of Savannah, Barnum received the brevet rank
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
of brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers, and afterwards at Washington, D.C., the full rank of that grade to date May 31, 1865, and soon afterward the brevet rank of major general of U.S. Volunteers to date from March 13, 1865.
Postbellum career
Barnum resigned from the service on January 9, 1866.After the war Barnum was frequently honored in public and private life. He was New York State Prison Inspector
New York State Prison Inspector
The Inspector of State Prisons was a statewide elective office created by the New York State Constitution of 1846. At the New York state election, 1847, three Inspectors were elected and then, upon taking office, so classified that henceforth every year one Inspector would be elected to a...
from 1866 to 1868, elected on the Republican ticket in 1865
New York state election, 1865
The 1865 New York state election was held on November 7, 1865, to elect the Secretary of State, the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the State Engineer, two Judges of the New York Court of Appeals, a Canal Commissioners, an Inspector of State Prisons and the Clerk of...
, but defeated for re-election in 1868.
Barnum died in New York City and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Colonel, 149th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Chattanooga, Tenn., November 23, 1863. Entered service at: Syracuse, N.Y. Born: September 24, 1833, Jamesville, Onondaga County, N.Y. Date of issue: July 1889.Citation:
- Although suffering severely from wounds, he led his regiment, inciting the men to greater action by word and example until again severely wounded.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F