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While our people can never forget the great results of our Civil War, nor the names of a few of its heroes made glorious for all time, they are likely to lose sight of the many splendid examples of heroism, of grand manhood, which the War developed among the Volunteers. It is our purpose, from time to time, to remind our readers of conspicuous examples of citizen soldiership, and with this number we present at brief summary of the brilliant war record of

BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL HENRY A. BARNUM.

Immediately upon the receipt of the news of the firing upon Sumter, General Barnum, then a Lieutenant of Company D, 51st Regiment, of the National Guard of our State, located at Syracuse, took active part with other officers of the Regiment in offering its services, through the Governor, for the defense of the assaulted flag.

Immediately, also, on the passage of the law authorizing the formation of thirty-eight regiments of Volunteers, Lieut. Barnum was among the first to move in raising a Volunteer Infantry regiment, which was numbered the 12th, though it was the first Volunteer regiment ready for muster in this State. Abandoning his profession of the law, and bidding adieu to a devoted young wife and a first born son of three weeks age, he enlisted as a private in Co. 1, of the 12th Regiment, on the 22d of April, 1861, nine days after the echoes of the first rebel gun had vibrated upon the northern air. Under the provisions of the law, he was elected Captain of his Company, proceeded with the regiment to the rendezvous at Elmira, April 30, 1861, was mustered into the United States service as Captain Co. 1, 12th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, May 13th, 1861, and with his command encamped on Capitol Hill, Washington, the night of June 1, 1861, that being the first regiment to leave the Elmira rendezvous for the defense of the imperiled Capitol.

The regiment was first under fire at Blackburn's Ford, July 18, 1861, in the fighting preliminary to the first battle of Bull Run. Receiving a fearful fire of artillery and musketry, while forming the line of battle on thickly wooded ground, the regiment broke and flew to the rear, an unauthorized order to retreat having been given by one of the officers. Captain Barnum, however, was especially complimented in the report of General Tyler, for holding his company intact on the line until orders were sent to him to withdraw, and the regiment was re-formed at the rear on his unbroken command. In the Sunday battle following, and during two years service, the regiment made a splendid record.

In October, 1861, Captain Barnum was promoted to be Major of his regiment, and in the advance on Manassas in the Spring of 1862, his regiment being on duty garrisoning the forts in front of Washington, he was on his own request assigned, by orders of the War Department, to duty on the staff of the lamented General Wadsworth, and proceeded with that officer to the front.

On General Wadsworth being made Military Governor of Washington, he invited Major Barnum to continue service on his staff, but a month later, when his regiment was ordered to the Peninsula under General McClellan, he was, also at his own request, relieved and permitted to join his regiment, which he reached just as they were embarking at Alexandria.

Serving through the campaign and the seven days' fights with conspicuous gallantry, at Malvern Hill he was detailed to the staff of General Butterfield, his Brigade Commander, most of whose staff officers were either killed or disabled.

General Butterfield, under General Fitz John Porter, had command of the left wing of our army, and Major Barnum, all that gallantly fought day, was almost constantly under fire, carrying and bringing orders, and placing regiments, brigades, and batteries in positions. Late in the evening, having conducted each of the regiments of his brigade except his own into the fight, to strengthen the line at different points, he was directed to place the 12th N.Y., on the line of battle. His request to remain with it was granted by General Butterfield, and soon after becoming engaged, the regiment was ordered to cease firing, as the supposed enemy was displaying our flag. Major Barnum personally went to the front and about midway between the lines, while trying to determine if the force in front were friends or foes, he was shot through the body with a musket ball. He walked back to his command and gave the order to renew the firing, but becoming too weak to stand by great loss of blood, he was borne from the field. Surgeons pronounced the wound fatal, and on the retreat of the army that night, his comrades left him on the field in an unconscious state, and supposing him dead, he was so named in the official reports of the battle. The newspapers announced his death, giving his dying words, his funeral oration was eloquently pronounced by Hon. Robert McCarthy, at his home in Syracuse, and on the banks of the James River, at Harrison's Landing, under the friendly shade of a broad spreading oak, a trellised-fenced grave bore on its rough headboard the words

MAJ. HENRY A. BARNUM, 12th N.Y. VOLS, killed July 1, 1862, at Malvern Hill

This burial incident occurred in this wise: Gen. Griffin, a warm friend of the Major, on receiving orders to retreat from the battle field lat in the evening, sent an ambulance with a detail of men to bring away Major Barnum, dead or alive. The surgeons pointed out an unconscious wounded Major lying on the ground at the field Hospital, as Major B. and the detail brought away the officer, still alive. In the night march to Harrison's Landing he died, and the sergeant in charge reported to Gen. Griffin, who ordered the remains to be buried in the grave marked.

The Major was not dead. Another had been buried in his stead. The day following the battle and retreat he recovered consciousness, was taken prisoner, laid at the battle-field hospital eight days, and was then transferred in an old express wagon to Libby Prison in the City of Richmond, eighteen miles distant.

Emaciated and utterly helpless, his death hourly expected, he was, by the rebel authorities, duly exchanged, and on the 18th July, was sent in an ambulance seventeen miles to Aiken's Landing on the James and placed on board of the hospital transport steamer Louisiana. Thence carried to Fortress Monroe, and by the hospital ship Enterpe brought by sea to New York. From New York, at his request, instead of being placed in hospital, he was sent to his home at Syracuse, arriving there Jly 25th, 1862.

In October, Dr. Alden March, of Albany, operated on the wound and removed fourteen fragments of the left ilium, the ball having crashed through the center of that bone. Dec. 31 he left Syracuse, and on Jan. 19, 1863, still very feeble from his unhealed wound, he took command of the149th N.Y. Vol. Infantry at Fairfax Station, Virginia, having been commissioned Colonel of the new regiment. This regiment belonged to the Third Brigade, 2d division, 12th Army Corps.

At Brook's Station, near Fredericksburgh, a fearful abscess in the wound prostrated him, and he was sent to Washington for treatment.

As soon as able to travel, he obtained sick leave and went to Albany, where Dr. March again operated on the wound. He rejoined his command in time for the glorious battle of Gettysburg, was transferred with Hooker's forces to Tennessee, commanded his regiment in the front line at the battle of Lookout Mountain, receiving, above the clouds, a ball through his sword arm, the same bullet cutting the visor of his cap. His command took five of the eleven captured flags in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, and vicinity, and Gen. Thomas, in a highly complimentary order, detailed his to convey all the captured flags to Washington, with permission to display them at the great Sanitary fair at Cincinnati, at Syracuse, and before the Legislature of the State of New York.

On this journey another abscess developed in his still unhealed body wound, and at New York Dr. Lewis A. Sayre operated upon it, and passed and oakum rope entirely through the body, following the track of the ball. Ever since he has worn a seton through the body, the same being now a perforated rubber tube. This is considered one of the remarkable wounds of the war, and is described, with portrait, in the Surgical and Medical History of the war, published by the government.

Col. Barnum had constant opportunity for garrison or other detail service at the rear, but preferred the highest duty of the soldier with his command at the front. He rejoined his troops, made the campaign of Atlanta, being again wounded by a fragment of a shell in the right breast, at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, before Atlanta, July 20th, 1864.

At Atlanta, Sept. 10, 1864, he succeeded to the command of the brigade with which he had served since he took command of his regiment in Jan., 1863, the brigade being now the Third of the 2d Div., 20th Army Corps, the 11th and 12th Army Corps having been consolidated and called the 20th.

With Sherman he made the march to the sea and the campaign of the Carolinas, and commanded his brigade in the great review at he close of the war, at Washington.

Nichol's story of the Great March, pages 96 and 97, says:

"An incident connected with our occupation of the city (Savannah) illustrates the watchfulness and daring of our officers and soldiers. Colonel Barnum, of New York, commanding a brigade in the 20th Corps, a brave soldier who bears scars and unhealed wounds from many a battle-field, was in command in the immediate front upon our extreme left, and near midnight crept out beyond the picket lines, which were only three hundred yards from the rebel works.

"Not hearing the voices of the enemy, and not seeing their forms passing before their camp fires, he suspected that they find evacuated their lines, notwithstanding that he could hear the boom of their guns, which echoed through the dark forest away off to the right. He selected ten of his best men, and cautiously scaled the parapets of the outside rebel line, passing rapidly and silently from these to the fortifications from whose bastions frowned the black muzzles of ponderous 64-pounders. Although their campfires still burned brightly, no rebels were to be seen. Sending for reinforcements, he marched from earthwork to earthwork, and finally entered the city just as the early morning light appeared in the eastern horizon; while the forms of the retreating enemy could be seen flying into the gray mist across the marshes on the other side of the river.

"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.

JOS. A. MOWER, Major-General U.S. Volunteers

I fully concur in the above recommendation. Brevet Brigadier-General Barnum has served with me three years, and has shown himself a thorough soldier in every position.

He is deserving of any reward that he Government can consistently bestow upon him.

H. W. SLOCUM, Major-General Volunteers

I have remarked Brevet Brigadier-General Barnum often, and noticed the care he has bestowed upon his command. I will gladly indorse this paper, and leave it with the others already, and to be submitted.

WILLIAM T. SHERMAN, Major-General Commanding.

Upon the high testimonials to his worth as a soldier, and the indorsements thereon, I respectfully recommend that Brevet Brigadier-General H.A. Barnum, Volunteer service be appointed a full Brigadier-General.

U.S. Grant, Lieutenant-General

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

I have the honor to recommend that BRIGADIER-GENERAL H. A. BARNUM be brevetted a Major-General of Volunteers. In know of no officer whose record has been more marked and brilliant; his person has been riddled in his encounters with the enemy -- having been severely wounded in the battles of Malvern Hill, Lookout Mountain, and Peach Tree Creek. For his great gallantry at Lookout Mountain, he was selected by the commander of the Army of the Cumberland, to convey the trophies of the field to Washington. Especially do I commend his promotion to your favorable consideration.

JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General Commanding.

Brevet Major-General H. A. Barnum, U.S. Volunteers, you are hereby informed that the President of the United States, has appointed you for distinguished and gallant conduct during the war, a Major-General of Volunteers by brevet, in the service of the United States, to rank as such from the 13th day of March, 1865.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.