Henry A. Barnum

     GEN. BARNUM IS DEAD
DISTINGUISHED VETERAN A
VICTIM OF PNEUMONIA.
He Had Been Ill Only Since Satur-
day, but Medical Still Could
Not Save Him--His
Local History.

 NEW YORK, Jan.29.--General Henry A.
Barnum, Port Warden of this city and one of
the most distinguished veterans of the late
war, who had been ill with pneumonia, died
at three minutes past 10 o'clock this morn-
ing. The General passed away quietly. No
arrangements have as yet been made for his
funeral, but the interment will take place in
Syracuse.
 The General caught a severe cold on Satur-
day. It developed into pneumonia, and Drs.
Carlton, Loomis and Shrady thought they
could pull him through despite his age of 59
years. The condition of the old soldier
changed for the worse shortly after mid-
night, and all hopes were abandoned when
day dawned.
            --------------
 Henry A. Barnum was born in Jamesville,
Onondaga county, N.Y., September 24, 1833,
and consequently was in his 59th year at the 
time of his death. He came to Syracuse in
his boyhood and was educated in the com-
mon schools. He was a pupil of the late
Prof. A.G. Salisbury, and between teacher
and pupil a close, life-long friendship existed.
He was for several years a school teacher,
then studied law and was admitted to the
bar, but never practiced his profession. At
the breaking out of the civil war he engaged
vigorously in the raising of troops in Onon-
daga county; enlisted as a private in the
Twelfth New York volunteers, which was one
of the earliest regiments organized in this
State; was chosen captain of Company "I"
and went to the front with his regiment, 
which was the first body of troops under fire
at Blackburn's ford, Va., in the fighting pre-
liminary to the first battle of Bull Run. He
was promoted to be Major October 25, 1861,
and for a time served on Gen. James S. Wads-
worth's staff, later rejoining his regiment
and serving through McClellan's peninsula
campaign. The old Twelfth was engaged in
the siege of Yorktown, in the battles of Han-
over C.H., Gaines Mill, Savage Station,
White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. At the
last named battle, while serving on General
Butterfield's staff, he was very severely
wounded, a bullet passing through his left
hip, inflicting a wound from which he never
fully recovered. At the time the injury
was supposed to ne mortal, and
at the Colonel's own request the American
flag was wrapped about his person, and his
body was abandoned and fell into the hands
of the enemy. He was taken to Libby prison,
where he remained till exchanged July
18, 1862. Intelligence reached his
friends here that he had died
on the field of Malvern Hill, and the event
was the subject of commenorative exercises.
Major Barnum was on leave till the following
December. In the meantime, during his
stay at home here, the 149th N.Y. Vols., was
recruited in Onondaga county, and on Sep.-
tember 18, 1862, this regiment was mustered in,
with Barnum as its colonel. In January,
1863, he joined the regiment at Fairfax, Va.,
and his presence was highly inspiring
to the officers and members of his com-
mand, who at the time were greatly de-
pressed. He raised the regiment to a high
state of discipline and efficiency. In April
following, by reason of his wounds, he was
granted leave of absence and came to Al-
bany for treatment under Dr. March.
 On June 30th Col. Barnum rejoined the
regiment at Edward's Ferry, Md., when it
was on its way to Gettysburg, and personal-
ly led it to that field, riding his horse,
sitting woman fashion, with one leg thrown
over the pommel of his saddle on account of
his wound. The march was a hard one, but
he was able to retain command part of the 
time at the Gettysburg battle. At Ellis-
ford, Va., Aug. 6, 1863, Col. Barnum
was compelled a second time to leave the
regiment, and went to Washington for treat-
ment. He again joined the regiment at Wau-
hatchie November 30, 1863, and received a
flesh wound in the right forearm while
leading a famous charge of his regi-
ment on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee,
November 24, 1863. At this battle
the 149th captured eleven battle flags. On
December 23, by order of General Thomas,
in recognition of the gallantry of his regi-
ment, Colonel Barnum was detailed to con-
vey the captured flags taken by this and other
regiments to Washington, for deposit in the
War department. By permission, he was
allowed to go by way of Sandusky, Syracuse
and Albany, and at these palces he met with
enthusiastic public receptions in honor of his
recognized bravery and the significance of
the captured trophies in his custody.