The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-06
OBITUARY,
Death Of Surgeon General Barnes at Wash.
ington.

ington.
WAsHINGToN, April Acknowledgement
Joseph X. Barnes, retired, late surgeon-gen-
eral of the United States army, died at his
residence in this city, this morning, of Brights
disease.
General Barnes was born in Philadelphia
July 81, 1877, and graduated at the Pennsyl-
vania University in 1883. In 1910 he was
appointed in the army, and first served in
the Florida Indian war under General Har-
ney. During the Mexican war he was chief
medical officer of the cavalry brigade, and
participated in every action on Scott's and
Taylor's line, except at Buena Vista. At the
outbreak of the rebellion be was a surgeon,
having attained that grade in August, 1856
while serving at the Pacific coast. He was
one of the first medical officers ordered East
from Oregon in 1861, and was placed on
special duty as assistant in the surgeon-gen-
erals Office here, and was employed in the
task of organizing and rendering efficient the
large medical staff rendered necessary for the
great armies. On the organization of Con-
gress in February. 1868 OF the grades OF med
ical inspectors he was promoted 10 lieuten-
ant-colcnel, and in the following August
was promoted to the medical inspector-gen-
In the next month he became acting surgeon
general of the army. On the arrest of Gen
eral William A. Hammond on serious
charges and on the dismissal of that officer
he became surgeon. general. with the rank of
brigadier general. Aug. %, 1864, and has
since remained on duty here.
The following order was issued this after
noon:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
ADJUTANTGENERAEs OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, April 5. }
Breyet Msjor-general Joseph K. Barnes Brig
general Of The Army, died at his residence this
city at O'Clock this morning. He entered the
service as assistant surgeon June 5, $40, was
promoted surgeon, with the rank of major, Au-
gust 20, 1886: medical Inspector with the rank
OF lieufenan t-colonel, February 8, 1863 medical
ona Gs lo ises and S
general, with the rank Of brigader-geu-
eral, August "a, 1864 He was retired
from active service by the operation of the law
of June 30, 1882. He served with distinction in
the Florida against the Seminole indians,
In the war with Mexico, and in the war with the
States In rebellion. For faithful, meritorious
and distin nguished service in this last war the
brevets of brigadier-general and maior-general
in the United gtates army were conferred upon
him. He was eminent, skilfull and successful
in his profession as surgeon and physi-
cian and distinguished for great administrative
ability as head OF the medical department. He
inaugurated the medical history of the War; he
founded the medical museum. and he brought
efficiency. During the troublous times of the
late war he earned the unbounded confidence of
the Secretary of War, Mr.. Stanton. and held 1t
unshaken the last. At the time of the assassina.
ton OF President Lincoln and the attempted as
sassination Of Secretary Seward, he attended at
the deathbed OF the one, and min
istered with untiring energy and
skill to the successful restoration of
the other. So. during the long illness Of Presi-
dent Garfield he was one of the distinguished
surgeons of the land, who, for days and nights,
served with devoted dcty in the sick chamber of
the dying President. During these long pro-
traeted hours of anxiety and care his own health
gave way, ana from that moment to the time of
his death he was an invalid. His career one
of honor to himself and of great service to his
country. Bv command OF General Sherman.
Il. c. DRUM. Acknowledgement.
The funeral of General Barnes will take
place on Saturday. He will be buried with
military honors at Oak Hill cemetery. The
troops at the arsenal, the Marine band and
marine at the navy yard have been ordered
to act as escort together with such of the
District militia as may desire to take part.
The following officers have been appointed
pall-bearers: Generals w. T. Sherman, Ed
niund Chrver. D. H. Rucker, w. H. Emery,
A. Baird W. G. Meigs K. G. Drum, r. Mac
feely, N. W. Brown, C. H. Crane, c. NJ Will
cox and Joseph L. Johnston.