Milton L. Haney

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Milton Lorenzi Haney
January 23, 1825 - January 20, 1922
Nickname	"The Fighting Chaplain"
Place of birth	Savannah, Ohio
Place of death	California
Allegiance	U.S. Army
Unit	55th Illinois Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Milton Lorenzi Haney (January 23, 1825–January 20, 1922) was a regimental chaplain in the United States Army.

Haney was born in Savannah, Ohio 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, 1863. 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:

"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."

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 2 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.