Henry A. Barnum

Infobox Military Person
name=Henry Alanson Barnum
born= birth date|1833|9|24
died= death date and age|1892|1|29|1833|9|24
placeofbirth=Jamesville, New York
placeofdeath=New York City, New York
placeofburial=


caption= General Barnum in his Army uniform during the civil war
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Army
serviceyears=
rank= Major General
commands=
unit=
battles=American Civil War
*Malvern Hill
*Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
*Peach Tree Creek
*Kenesaw Mountain
awards=Medal of Honor
laterwork= 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.

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 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, 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 December 23, 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 September 10, 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.

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.

ee also

* List of American Civil War generals
*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*

References

* [http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/explore/anatifacts/0_barnum.html Information about Henry Barnum's hip injury]
* [http://www.149th-nysv.org/Monuments/Gettysburg/oration_of_barnum_at_greenes.htm General Barnum's Gettysburg Speech]
* [http://www.149th-nysv.org/Roster/Field/barnum_henry_a_.htm Henry Barnum page at 149th NYSV web site]
*cite web
title =Henry A. Barnum, Medal of Honor recipient
work =Medal of Honor Citation
publisher = United States Army
date =
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/civwaral.html
*cite web
title =Henry A. Barnum, Home of Heroes
work =Home of Heroes
publisher =
date =
url = http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_1862_cwa/barnum_henry.html
*findagrave|5892212 Retrieved on 2007-12-03

Persondata
NAME= Barnum, Henry A.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Union Army General and Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=