Henry A. Barnum

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Henry Alanson Barnum
September 24, 1833(1833-09-24) – January 29, 1892 (aged 58)
General Barnum in his Army uniform during the civil war
Place of birth	Jamesville, New York
Place of death	New York City, New York
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Major General
Battles/wars	American Civil War Malvern Hill Lookout Mountain, Tennessee Peach Tree Creek Kenesaw Mountain
Awards	Medal of Honor
Other work	Served as Inspector of State Prisons Member of the State Legislature New York Harbor Master Director of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association for New York Department Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic for the State of New York

Henry Alanson Barnum (September 24, 1833 – January 29, 1892) 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.

1 Biography
2 Medal of Honor citation
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Biography

Henry A. Barnum was born in Jamesville, New York, and educated in the common schools. He attended Syracuse Institute and passed his bar exam in 1860, four years after his graduation.

Barnum entered the U.S. service May 13, 1861, as captain of Company I, 12th N.Y. Infantry, at the age of 27; and afterwards in October 1861 was promoted to major of that regiment. He served with distinction with that command, including the Peninsula Campaign under Major General 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 afterwards 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. The occasion of taking command was auspicious and seemed very opportune, as the feelings of the officers and men were greatly depressed, and by reason of his knowledge and experience, some relief was expected from their deprivations and sufferings, but unfortunately he was soon compelled to submit to further surgical operations, and on 1 April 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, when it was on its way to Gettysburg, 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 November 10, 1863, and received a flesh wound in the right forearm while leading the charge of his regiment on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, November 24, 1863.

On 23 December following, in pursuance of an order of General Thomas, in special recognition of the gallantry of the regiment in recent engagements, he was detailed as its Colonel to convey the captured flags taken by it 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 from the War Department. While absent in the performance of this duty, Col. 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 Kenesaw 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 10 September, following by the death of Colonel Ireland at Atlanta, the command of the 3rd Brigade developed upon Colonel Barnum, and he continued in the performance of this duty to the close of the war.

At Savannah, Georgia, Col. Barnum had the proud honor of leading his brigade, first of Sherman's command, into the captured city, and under General John W. Geary had charge of its western portion during the occupancy by General Sherman. Soon after the capture of Savannah, Col. 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 afterwards the brevet rank of Major General of U.S. Volunteers to date from March 13, 1865.

His resignation from the service occurred January 9, 1866.

After the war General Barnum was frequently honored in public and private life.

Barnum died in New York City.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Colonel, 149th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Chattanooga, Tenn., 23 November 1863. Entered service at: Syracuse, N.Y. Born: 24 September 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.