Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-15
AN HONORABLE RECORD.
Eminent Success of One of Names
Gifted Sons.
Career Of Col. Henry C. Merriam Of The
Seventh Regiment Of U. s. Infantry.

servedly popular sons. Years ago-in the
fifties-he was a student at Houlton aca-
deny, and even at that time gave promise
Of attaining the honorable record which
he has since achieved.
We copy herewith the following con-
densed review of Col. Merriam's life from
the Rocky Mountain Herald:
The subject of this sketch was born in
Maine. on the thirteenth day of Novem-
Der, 1887, and was educated in the Colby
University. Degrees of A. b.. and A. NJ.
Member of American Institute of Civics.
During the War Of the Rebellion, was
made captain of the Twentieth Maine,
and won the brevet of lieutenant colonel
in his first battle at Antietem, September
II, 1869. In 1868, Joined General VI
mans expedition to Louisiana to organize
colored troops. The close of the war
found him in command of the Oldest col
ored regiment In the United States ser
vice, having been mustered into the ser
vice as the First Louisiana Native Guard,
in September, 1862, by order of Gen
eral Butler. Participated in the siege
and assault on Port Hudson, where
that regiment won its first distinction for
%gallantry, May %, 1862, celebrated In &.
H. Boxers famous song:"The Charge OF
the Black Regiment" Campaign and
siege Of Mobile, leading the final assault
on Fort Blakcly at his personal request,
April 9, 1865, the result being the capture
Of the fort, with more than six thousand
prisoners, n the occupation of Mobile
and all It's defcnses. This was the last
battle of the war. For his part In this as
sault, Col. Merriam was brcveted colonel
in the Volunteer and Regular Army "for
conspicuous %gallantry," and has also been
awarded the Congressional Medal of Hon
or for distinguished gallantry in the As
sault on Fort Blakely, Alabama, April Q,
1895, voluntarily and successfully leading
his regiment over the enemy's works in
advance of orders, permission bcing given
at his own request"
Col. Merriam was mustered out, n re
sumed the study of law, October "a, 1865.
Appointed in the regular army rs major
of the Thirty eighth Infantry, July 2S,
1866, Commanding Infantry Reserve
Battalion of Clusters Indian campaign in
Kansas, April to June, 1867.
Marched to New Mexico; pursued and
defeated the Kiowa Indians, under Sam
tanta, on the upper Arkansas, July ~,
1867. Commanding Fort Bayard, New
Mexico, 1S67-'69. Commanding expedi-
ton against the Apache Indians; captured
an Apache village in the MoDgolion
mountains In June, 1869. Transferred
to the Twenty. fourth Infantry at con-
solidation. Commanding Fort Bliss,
Texas, 1S69-70; at Fort McKavett,
1871; commanding Fort Duncan, 1872.
Commanding Fort Ringold, 1878, during
the Mexican revolution. Commando g
mounted troops against maurauders Oh
the lower Rio Grandc, at Fort Brown.
During 1874, in Europe. Commanding
Fort Mcintosh, 1876, during the last
Mexican revolution. Bombarded Mexican
Federal force of Col, Pablo Quintana,
April 10, redressing outrages againsE
Americans. Crossed the Rio Grande, Au-
gust %, and rescued United States Com
mercial Agent Haines, who had been cap
tured by a band of revolutionists under
Col. Estrada. For this service at LAREDO,
Col. Merriam was recommended by MAJ.
Gen. Ord for a brevet of Brigadicr Gen
cral.
Crossed the Rio Grande again on the
night of September G, captured the town
of Nuevo Laredo, and held it in military
possession for protection of American and
other foreign merchants for seven days,
until assurances were given by re-
sponsible Mexican authorities for the
safety of American residents, the
revolution being substantially over.
Promoted lieutenant colonel, Second
Infantry, June 10, 1876. To department
of the Columbia, during the Ncz Perces
war, 1877. Commanding depot of supplies
and communications at Lewiston, Idaho,
relieving Gen. Alfred Sully. Established,
planned and built Fort sherman, Idahr,
tS75-79. Established Camp Chelan,
Washington territory, 1S79.S0. Located
and established Fort Spokane, Washing
ton territory, 1880. Commanding Font
Colville, Washington territory. 1881.
Resumed command of Fort Spokane,
September, 1882. Planned and built per
manent post 1888 ..
For the above named arduous services
in the wilderness of Idaho and Washing
ton, and for his firm and successful
management of the various Indian tribes
of that region, through which they were
all gathered upon their present rcserva
lions, opening that vast area to settle
mont. Col. Merriam received the highest
official commentator of this department
commanders, Generals Howard and Miles,
and of the state authorities.
Promoted colonel of Seventh Infantry
July 10, 1885; commanding Fort Laramie,
Wyoming, till October Is, 1889. when the
Seventh Infantry took station at Fort
Logan, Colorado.
Commanding regiment and all troops
on the line of the Cheyenne river, South
Dakota, during the Sioux campaign of
l690-9l; intcrccpting and successfully
disarming the Sitting Bull Indians, nearly
three hundred, in their stampede towards
the hostile camp, after the killing of their
chief, in the action on Grand river. Com
manding Fort Logan, Colorado to date,
1895.
He refers with pride and satisfaction to
the records in the inspector generals
Office, for the drill and general efficiency Of
his regiment, and especially to the fact
that within the ten years the Seventh In
fantry has been under his command, it
has six times won the Nevada trophy In
the annual rife competitions of the entire
army, forty regiments.
Col. Merriam is the inventor of the In
fantry"Pack, which bears his name.a and
to which he has given much study and