Eliakim Sherrill

Eliakim Sherrill (February 16, 1813 – July 4, 1863) was an antebellum United States Congressman from the state of New York and a brigade commander in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was mortally wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg defending against Pickett's Charge.

Sherrill was born in Greenville, New York, where he attended the public schools. He moved to Herkimer County in 1832. He married Emily Eldridge, a daughter of Judge Eldridge of Madison County. The couple moved to Shandaken in 1838, where Sherrill owned a tannery. He entered local politics, holding several political offices. He served as a major in the State Militia.

He was elected as a Whig to the 30th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1849. He was a member of the New York State Senate (10th D.) in 1854 and 1855. Three years later, he moved to Brooklyn, then in 1860 to Geneva, where he had a farm.

During the Civil War, he organized the 126th New York Infantry in August 1862 and became its first colonel. His regiment was among the troops defending Harpers Ferry against Joseph B. Kershaw's Confederate brigade of Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws's division during the Maryland Campaign. He was severely wounded with a gunshot through his lower jaw in fighting on Maryland Heights during the Battle of Harpers Ferry. Sherrill was captured and later paroled. The wound never healed, but he temporarily rejoined his regiment at Union Mills, Virginia, in October 1862. After a furlough for further recuperation, he returned for duty on January 27, 1863.

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