James Barnes (general)
| James Barnes | |
|---|---|
James Barnes, photo taken during the 1860s
|
|
| Born |
December 28, 1801 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | February 12, 1869 (aged 67) Springfield, Massachusetts |
| Place of burial | Springfield Cemetery, Springfield, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1829–1836, 1861–1866 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General Brevet Major General
|
| Commands held | 18th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | Civil engineering |
James Barnes (December 28, 1801 – February 12, 1869) was a railroad executive and a Union Army general in the American Civil War.
Barnes was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended the Boston Latin School and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1829, in the same class as Robert E. Lee. However, at age 28 he was older than most West Point cadets upon completion, and placed fifth out of 46 cadets. He was then commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Artillery, but spent most of his army service as an instructor of tactics and French at the Academy.
Barnes married Charlotte Adams Sanford in 1832 (sister of John F. A. Sanford). After the birth of his second son, John Sanford Barnes, he resigned his commission on July 31, 1836, to become a railroad civil engineer and by 1839 he was superintendent of the Western Railroad, a job he would hold for 22 years.
On July 26, 1861, Barnes was commissioned a colonel in the 18th Massachusetts Infantry. He and his regiment joined the Army of the Potomac during the Peninsula Campaign, but saw no combat. During the Seven Days Battles the 18th was assigned to guard duty in the rear, and again Barnes saw no combat. His brigade commander, Brig. Gen. John Martindale, was relieved of command after the Battle of Malvern Hill and Barnes became the new commander of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps on July 10, 1862. For reasons unrecorded, Barnes was not present with his brigade at the Second Battle of Bull Run and although the V Corps marched to the Battle of Antietam, it was left in reserve and once again saw no action. However, during Lee's retreat back to Virginia, Barnes saw his first combat when his brigade was attacked by the rearguard of the Confederate Army, resulting in over 200 men shot or drowned in the Potomac River and over 100 more captured.
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