William H. Barnes (b. circa 1830 - d. 1866)
MSA SC 3520-4684
USCT Soldier, St. Mary's County, Maryland
Biography:
The life of William H. Barnes began around 1830 in St. Mary's County, Maryland. When the Civil War began in 1861, there was little possibility of slaves and free men joining the ranks. However, by January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued his famous Emancipation Proclamation enabling slaves and free men to be recruited into the United States Army. William H. Barnes was among these men as he enlisted in Company C of the 38th U.S. Colored Troops regiment. He enlisted as "a 33-year-old farmer when he enlisted in the U.S. Army," according to www.africanamericancontributions.com. On February 11, 1864, he officially enlisted as a private in the U.S.C.T at Ridge, Maryland.
The 38th regiment saw limited action during the war as they were mainly stationed in Virginia and North Carolina. One of their major battles occurred at Chaffin's Farm, Virginia on September 29 and 30, 1864. According to official records, Barnes was "among the first to enter the enemy's works, although wounded, and has a medal for his gallantry." By January of 1865, Barnes had achieved the rank of Sergeant. Once the war had ended, he was stationed in Indianola, Texas where he died of tuberculosis on Christmas Eve 1866. Barnes was one of two U.S.C.T. soldiers from St. Mary's county, along with James H. Harris to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their bravery in the battle of New Market Heights and Chaffin's Farm in 1864. Barnes received his medal on April 6, 1865.
Return
to William H. Barnes' Introductory Page
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|