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"The hero of this dashing exploit is one of the best soldiers in the army -- a bold fighter, a rigid disciplinarian, the most generous of hosts, and one of the best of fellows generally."

All this was done by Colonel Barnum and his men before reveille had aroused any of the rest of Sherman's army.

He placed guards over all the captured property, including the cotton subsequently sold by the government for over fifteen millions of dollars, and which the more desperate citizens had attempted to burn, established patrols in every street, dispersed the rabble, compelled ill citizens to retire to their houses, and when other troops entered the city it was as quiet as a peaceful Sunday, save the marching of his patrols. For this splendid achievement he was breveted Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

On the muster out of his Veteran Brigade in May, 1865, he was placed in command of a provisional Brigade at Washington, and soon after ordered on duty under Gen. Hooker at New York.

Later he succeeded Gen. Sickles in command of the District of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, with Headquarters in Boston.

While heading this command, he was, in November, 1865, elected inspector of prisons of this State. He was also offered the colonelcy of one of the new regiments of the regular army. Preferring military service at the front in time of war, and peaceful pursuits in time of peace, he resigned his commission and entered upon the discharge of the duties of the office to which the people of his state had elected him. The acceptance of his resignation dates Jan. 6, 1866, and his continuous military service being over four years and eight months.

Before the disbandment of the armies, he was commissioned full Brigadier-General of Volunteers, and Breveted and Major-General "for distinguished an gallant conduct during the war."

There being a single vacancy in the legal number of Brigadier-Generals, at the time he was commissioned as such, his preferment over so many distinguished and meritorious officers in all the armies, was a compliment from the Government of the highest order.

General Barnum comes of fighting stock. Seven great uncles served in the revolutionary war, (one uncle lost his life in the Seminole war), and his only two brothers served with him in our war of the rebellion; one being wounded at Gettysburg, and the elder dying in 1863, of disease contracted in the service.

The following are extracts from some of the very many testimonials from his superior officers:

Colonel H. A. Barnum, commanding the 149th New York Volunteers, is hereby selected for gallant conduct in the battle of Chattanooga, to take to Washington D.C., and deliver to the Adjutant General the flags captured by the Army of the Cumberland from the revels in that battle. By command of GEORGE H. THOMAS, Major-General.

It is with the utmost pleasure that I bear testimony in favor of Colonel H. A. Barnum; he came out originally in the service with two years' troops, and served in my old brigade as Major. He distinguished himself before Yorktown, upon the occasion of a sortie made by the enemy; commanding the outposts with the reserves, less than one-half of the enemies' number, he repulsed them and drove them back with loss.

At Gaines' Mill, he behaved with great gallantry. At Malvern Hill, most of my staff being killed or wounded, he acted as an aide-de-camp; his conduct was beyond praise; he received a wound, supposed to be mortal at the time, while leading his regiment to the attack; he was left for dead on the field; his regiment was mustered out last spring; he immediately re-entered service, raising the 149th New York Volunteers; he has justly earned and is entitled to promotion.

DANIEL BUTTERFIELD, Major-General U.S. Volunteers

HON. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

I cannot too strongly commend to your consideration, Brevet Brigadier-General H.A. Barnum, commanding the 3d Brigade of this Division, for long a very eminent services in the field during the present war, form the first to its close. I recommend him for the appointment of Brigadier General. I think at this time when the disbandment of our armies is rendered almost certain, by reason of the termination of the war, the country could well afford to do honor to one such as he, to whom all accord the highest honors. Hoping that you will grant this favor, I have the honor to be, etc.,

JOHN W. GEARY, Brevet-Major-General

I hereby concur in the above. In my opinion there is no brigade in the army in which those minutiae; the attention to which go to make up the soldier, have been so much regarded as in the brigade commanded by General Barnum; this regard to the detail, together with the higher qualities of bravery and coolness in action, distinguished General Barnum above all other officers whom I have ever met in the army.