Henry A. Barnum

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Henry Alanson Barnum

General Barnum in his Army uniform during the civil war
Born (1833-09-24)September 24, 1833
Jamesville, New York
Died January 29, 1892(1892-01-29) (aged 58)
New York City, New York
Allegiance  United States of America
Union
Service/branch  United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1861 - 1866
Rank Brevet Major General
Commands held New York 149th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars

American Civil War

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.

Early life

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.

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 major 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.

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 from 1866 to 1868, elected on the Republican ticket at the New York state election, 1865, but defeated for re-election at the New York state election, 1868.

He was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co., 21st D.) in 1885.

Barnum died in New York City and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, New York.

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

References

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