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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Colonel · U.S. Army

Henry Alanson Barnum

Colonel Henry Alanson Barnum, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on November 23, 1863 in Chattanooga, Tennessee during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War November 23, 1863

Colonel Henry Alanson Barnum, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on November 23, 1863 in Chattanooga, Tennessee during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 149th New York Infantry. Barnum was 30 years old.

2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 16, 1889, 25 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brevet Major General.

Barnum was born on September 24, 1833 in Jamesville, Onondaga County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York. Barnum died on January 29, 1892 in New York, New York, at the age of 58. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, New York.

Barnum is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Although suffering severely from wounds, he led his regiment, inciting his men to greater action by word and example until again severely wounded.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and injuries

What the citation records about his wounds:

Although suffering severely from wounds, he led his regiment, inciting his men to greater action by word and example until again severely wounded.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Life beyond the battlefield

  • Offices held: member of the New York State Assembly
  • Occupations: politician
  • Education: Syracuse University

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Jamesville — map
  • Died: New York City — map
  • Buried: Oakwood Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. September 24, 1833
    Born in Jamesville, Onondaga County, New York
  2. November 23, 1863
    Act of valor — Chattanooga, Tennessee
    Age 30. 149th New York Infantry
  3. July 16, 1889
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. January 29, 1892
    Died in New York, New York
    Age 58.
  5. Resting place
    Oakwood Cemetery
    Syracuse, New York

Biography

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. He received this honor in 1889, for his heroism during the Battle of Lookout Mountain in November, 1863.

From the Wikipedia article “Henry A. Barnum”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on November 23, 1863

RS Richard Henry Seward Paymaster's Steward · Navy Civil War · 1863 John James Toffey First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1863

More Civil War recipients from New York

TS Timothy Sullivan Coxswain · Navy Civil War CO Charles Alvin Orr Private · Army Civil War · 1864 JC James Coey Major · Army Civil War · 1865 WB William John Brewer Private · Army Civil War · 1865 JB John Francis Benjamin Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 GM George E. Meach Farrier · Army Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.