Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private William Henry Barnes received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 29, 1864 at Chapin's Farm, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 38th U.S. Colored Infantry. Barnes was about 19 years old.
37 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 6, 1865. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Barnes was born in 1845 in St. Mary's County, Maryland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia. Barnes died on December 24, 1866 in Indianola U.S. Army Hospital, Texas, at the age of about 21. He is buried at San Antonio National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Barnes is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 48 credited to Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Among the first to enter the enemy's works, although wounded.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Among the first to enter the enemy's works, although wounded.
- Age at death: about 21
- Resting place: San Antonio National Cemetery
Timeline
- 1845Born in St. Mary's County, Maryland
- September 29, 1864Act of valor — Chapin's Farm, VirginiaAge about 19. Company C, 38th U.S. Colored Infantry
- April 6, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- December 24, 1866Died in Indianola U.S. Army Hospital, TexasAge about 21.
- Resting placeSan Antonio National CemeterySan Antonio, Texas
