Milton L. Haney
Encyclopedia
Milton Lorenzo Haney was a regimental chaplain
in the United States Army
.
in 1825. He credited the home life of his mother as being the greatest human factor leading to his salvation. In 1846, he received appointment as the junior preacher of the Dixon, Illinois
, Circuit. At first his work centered in southern Illinois
, but he quickly expanded, preaching in churches and camp meetings throughout the Midwestern states.
He entered U.S. Army Service at Bushnell, Illinois
as Chaplain, 55th Illinois Infantry.
Four men earned Medals of Honor
in action against Confederate
forces at Atlanta, Georgia
on July 21–22, 1864. Among these four heroes was Milton Haney, sometimes called "The Fighting Chaplain" by the men of the 55th Illinois Infantry. When the tide of battle was critical on July 22, Chaplain Haney voluntarily joined the ranks of his regiment, as noted in his citation.
In the late 1890s, Haney's chronic health problems worsened, and he began applying for an increase in his military pension. One document in his pension
file is a petition
drawn up and signed by 21 members of the 55th Regiment, Co. F, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, who had served with him and supported his claim for "Invalid Pension." Haney was receiving $30 per month in 1915. After further correspondence with the "Pension Commissioner" he was awarded an increase. His pension payments of $60 per month ceased when he died three days short of his 97th birthday.
Haney died at the age of 96 in California
on January 20, 1922, after suffering a severe attack of pneumonia
. He is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, California
.
. Place and date: At Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864. Entered service at: Bushnell, Ill. Birth: Ohio. Date of issue: November 3, 1896.
Citation:
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
in the United States Army
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...
.
Biography
Haney was born in Savannah, OhioSavannah, Ohio
Savannah is a village in Ashland County, Ohio, United States. The population was 372 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Savannah is located at , along the Vermilion River....
in 1825. He credited the home life of his mother as being the greatest human factor leading to his salvation. In 1846, he received appointment as the junior preacher of the Dixon, Illinois
Dixon, Illinois
Dixon is a city in Lee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 15,733 as of the 2010 census, down from 15,941 at the 2000 census. Named for its founder, John Dixon , it is the county seat of Lee County. Located on the Rock River, Dixon was the boyhood home of former U.S...
, Circuit. At first his work centered in southern Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, but he quickly expanded, preaching in churches and camp meetings throughout the Midwestern states.
He entered U.S. Army Service at Bushnell, Illinois
Bushnell, Illinois
Bushnell is a city in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,221 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bushnell is located at ....
as Chaplain, 55th Illinois Infantry.
Four men earned Medals 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...
in action against Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
forces at Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
on July 21–22, 1864. Among these four heroes was Milton Haney, sometimes called "The Fighting Chaplain" by the men of the 55th Illinois Infantry. When the tide of battle was critical on July 22, Chaplain Haney voluntarily joined the ranks of his regiment, as noted in his citation.
In the late 1890s, Haney's chronic health problems worsened, and he began applying for an increase in his military pension. One document in his pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
file is a petition
Petition
A petition is a request to do something, most commonly addressed to a government official or public entity. Petitions to a deity are a form of prayer....
drawn up and signed by 21 members of the 55th Regiment, Co. F, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, who had served with him and supported his claim for "Invalid Pension." Haney was receiving $30 per month in 1915. After further correspondence with the "Pension Commissioner" he was awarded an increase. His pension payments of $60 per month ceased when he died three days short of his 97th birthday.
Haney died at the age of 96 in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on January 20, 1922, after suffering a severe attack of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. He is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, California
Altadena, California
Altadena is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States, approximately from the downtown Los Angeles Civic Center, and directly north of the city of Pasadena, California...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Chaplain, 55th Illinois Infantry55th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 55th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment is sometimes referred to as the Canton Rifles or the Douglas Brigade 2nd Regiment.-Service:...
. Place and date: At Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864. Entered service at: Bushnell, Ill. Birth: Ohio. Date of issue: November 3, 1896.
Citation:
Voluntarily carried a musket in the ranks of his regiment and rendered heroic service in retaking the Federal works which had been captured by the enemy.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: G–L