The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-05-30
A FIGHTING FAMILY.
A Father and Five Sons in the Army,


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The following
extract from the Providence (R L. Press of
October, 1862, is furnished by Danbury
Comm correspondent:
Among the numerous volunteers from Danbury
is an old man named Homer p. Barnum and five
sons. more patriotic fighting family is not to be
found in this region. il the sons fight as well as
the father they will do their share of crushing out
the rebellion. The father, who is nearly 60 years
of age, passed himself off to the mastering officer
as Al, and was mustered IN over year ago, and
member of Co. A, 18th Conn., has ever since fol-
lowed in the division of the brave Burnside At
the battle of Antietam he was on the skirmish-line
at the stone bridge, and was stationed behind
post, and did not leave his position until he had
emptied his Sharps rifle SO times. As he is old,
experienced fox-bunter, ii may be presumed that
few, if any, of his shots were wasted. He had one
very narrow escape. Soon after seating himself he
discovered a hole in the post opposite his heart;
reaching outside the post he put in a stone and
went to work again In few moments the stone
covering the hole shattered by ball from a
rebel sharpshooter, pieces of the stone and ball fall
ing through into his lap But the old hero's time had
not come yet he coolly closed up the hole as be-
fore, and resumed his labors. number of gentle
learning the facts of the devotion of the fam
lily to cause, yesterday quietly made donation
visit to the mother and remaining son. and left
goods and money TO the amount OF over $50 as a
slight token of their appreciation of the sacrifices
of this household 1t was we'll deserved. May all
the worthy heroes of our grand noble army be
warded and remembered.
As a sequel to the above will give brief
biographical sketch of the services of this patri-
otto family during the war. The father, Ho-
mer B. Barnum, enlisted Oct. %, 1861, in Co.
A, 18th Conn, and was in all the battles of the
regiment until he was shot through the head
by sharpshooter and instantly killed, in the
trenches in front Of Petersburg, Va, July IL,
1864. His time would have expired IN Octo-
Der following He offered himself when the
regiment veteranized for three years more, but
our old Surgeon, DR.. Whitcomb, said to him
Homer Won arc foo old man IN on for thrpa
years more; there are plenty of younger, but
not better, men to take your place; stay your
other year out and 90 home and stay there
| Y our family is we'll represented now. ] will
get you 80 days furlough to go home with
the boys; but don't stay any longer than your
| present enlistment" At his death his remains
| were brought home to Danbury, where they
peacefully rest in our beautiful cemetery, and
| is yearly remembered on Memorial Day, to-
| gether with nearly 200 other gallant old he
! roes.
| The eldest son, William A. Barnum, was re-
| jected as soldier, being subject to epileptic
! fits, but served as Steward for about two years
on various Government transports.
! Theodore II. Barnum enlisted for three years
| in Co. B, 18th q. s. Inf, I'd battalion, and con-
tracted infammatory rheumatism and chronic
| diarrhea and was discharged after two years
service, and died from their effects several
| years later.
| Eben J.. Barnum enlisted April 25 1861, in
| Co. G, Sd Conn, for three months, and Nov. Is,
1861. for three years, and received honorable
discharges from both regiments, having served
| both enlistments in full.
| George w. Barnum jr., enlisted April %,
for three months in Co. c. Sd Conn. and in Co.
| c. 23d Conn, Aug. 25, 1862 for nine months,
and served both terms in full.
| Frederic c. Barnum enlisted for nine months
| in Co. X, 23d Conn, and was instantly killed
! in battle at Lafourche Crossing, La. and is
| buried where he fell
This left the sixth and youngest son III years
of age) at home with his mother, where he
staid until the 11th Conn. came home on a vet
eran furlough, when he returned with them
as suffers clerk.
The Danbury Ereaiag Ne,rs of April &c, 1889,
| says: " Two GAR men become Sons of Vet
Grams tonight. Eben i. Barnum and G.. w
Barnum, brothers. will be initiated as Sons OF
Veterans tonight Thefamily have not only
an honorable, but alsosa very patriotic war
| record"
1t was sight seldom witnessed; two broth
ers, one so years and the other 46, proudly
wearing upon their. breasts the honorable badge
of the GAR, going through the beautiful and
| impressive service of initiation and coming out
full hedged Sons of Veterans and members Of
Nelson l.. White Gamp,No. 10, S. of " Capt
Robert Davis, ably assisted by Inspector Ed
ward S. Wilton, very gracefully performed
the duties of the occasion. James L. Moore
Post, No. 18, of which e. l.. Barnum is Senior
Vice Commander, was specially invited to bt
present. A bountifnl collation. was served By
the ladies and Society after the services.