Henry A. Barnum

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
Place of burial	Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, 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	149th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Malvern Hill Battle of Lookout Mountain Battle of Peachtree Creek Battle of Kennesaw 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

American Civil War

Served as Inspector of State Prisons

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.

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 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.