Henry C. Merriam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Clay Merriam
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| Born | November 13, 1837 Houlton, Maine, US |
| Died | November 18, 1912 (aged 75) Portland, Maine, US |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1865, 1866–1901 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands held |  1st Louisiana Native Guard 73rd Regiment Infantry U.S. Colored Troops |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War • Battle of Antietam • Siege of Port Hudson • Battle of Fort Blakely Indian Wars Spanish–American War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Henry Clay Merriam (born November 13, 1837 – died November 18, 1912) was a brave United States Army general. He earned the highest military award in the United States, the Medal of Honor. He received this honor for his actions during the American Civil War. At that time, he was a Union officer leading African American troops.
After the Civil War, he served in various Indian Wars across the western United States. He also commanded the 7th Infantry Regiment. Later, as a brigadier general, he helped train and supply soldiers during the Philippine–American War.
Contents
Early Life and Civil War Heroism
Henry Clay Merriam was born in Houlton, Maine. His parents were Lewis and Mary Merriam. He went to Colby College in Waterville. However, he left school in 1862 to join the army. He became a captain in the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Fighting in the Civil War
Merriam fought in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. For his brave actions there, he was given a special promotion to lieutenant colonel. In 1863, he traveled to Louisiana. His job was to help recruit African American soldiers. He then became the leader of the 1st Louisiana Native Guard.
He led his regiment during the Siege of Port Hudson on May 27, 1863. Two years later, his unit was renamed the 73rd Infantry Regiment, United States Colored Troops. On April 9, 1865, he led an attack on Confederate positions at Fort Blakely in Baldwin County, Alabama.
Medal of Honor Award
For his courage at Fort Blakely, he received another special promotion to colonel. Many years later, on June 28, 1894, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. This is the highest award a soldier can receive. His award citation said he "Volunteered to attack the enemy's works in advance of orders and, upon permission being given, made a most gallant assault." This means he bravely attacked without waiting for direct orders.
Serving in the Indian Wars
After the Civil War ended, Merriam left the army on October 24, 1865. He began studying law. But less than a year later, on July 28, 1866, he rejoined the military. He became a major in the 38th Infantry Regiment.
Expeditions in the West
In 1867, he served with this unit during missions against Native Americans in Kansas. In 1876, he was in charge of Fort McIntosh. This fort was on the border between Texas and Mexico. He used cannons against Mexican forces who had harmed Americans. He even crossed the border to rescue an American business agent who had been kidnapped.
On June 10, 1876, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He was then sent to the northwestern U.S. during the Nez Perce War. In Idaho and Washington, he helped manage Native American tribes. His leaders praised him for successfully gathering the tribes onto reservations. This also helped open land for new settlers.
Leading the 7th Infantry Regiment
On July 10, 1885, Merriam became a colonel of the 7th Infantry Regiment. For the next four years, he commanded Fort Laramie in Wyoming. Later, he moved to Fort Logan in Colorado. He led troops along the Cheyenne River in South Dakota. This was during the Sioux uprising that happened after the death of Sitting Bull.
Later Military Career
On June 30, 1897, Merriam was promoted to brigadier general. He was transferred to the Department of the Columbia, which covered the northwestern United States. During this time, he organized a rescue mission. This mission saved miners in Alaska who were stuck because of severe winter weather.
Spanish-American War and Retirement
When the Spanish–American War began, he was named major general of volunteers. He was put in charge of the entire U.S. Pacific coast, including Hawaii. His duties included getting units ready, training them, and sending them to the Philippine–American War. In January 1899, he left his western post. He then took command of the Departments of the Colorado and the Missouri. He retired from the Army in 1901 when he reached the required retirement age.
By a special act of Congress on February 5, 1903, he was promoted to major general in retirement. He also invented the "Merriam Pack," which was a type of backpack used by infantry soldiers. He married Una MacPherson in 1874 and they had three sons and two daughters. Henry Clay Merriam passed away in Portland, Maine, on November 18, 1912. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
General Merriam was a member of the Maine Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
See also
- Fort Spokane
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: M–P
- List of major generals in the United States Regular Army before 1 July 1920
