John A. Harman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John A. Harman
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| Birth name | John Alexander Harman |
| Born | February 29, 1824 Waynesboro, Virginia |
| Died | July 19, 1874 (aged 50) Staunton, Virginia |
| Place of burial |
Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, Virginia
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| Allegiance | United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Volunteers Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1846 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Private Major |
| Commands held | Quartermaster, Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War
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| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Valentine Garber |
| Relations | Brother of William Henry Harman |
John Alexander Harman (born February 29, 1824 – died July 19, 1874) was an important officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He worked as a quartermaster for General Stonewall Jackson, helping to manage supplies and transportation for his troops. After General Jackson passed away, Harman continued his role as quartermaster for the Second Corps. Sometimes, he even served as the main quartermaster for the entire Army of Northern Virginia.
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John A. Harman's Early Life
John Alexander Harman was born in Waynesboro, Virginia. His parents were Sarah Jane Garber and Lewis Harman. Sadly, his father died when John was only 16 years old. His grandfather, John Cunningham, was a captain in the Virginia militia during the American Revolutionary War. John Harman received a good private education.
He had several brothers: Michael Garber Harman, William Henry Harman, Asher Waterman Harman, and Thomas Lewis Harman. All four of his brothers also fought for the Confederate States Army. Two of them died during the war. His youngest brother, T.L. Harman, became a lieutenant but died in September 1861 from typhoid fever.
Harman's Early Career and Politics
Before the Civil War, John Harman worked as a newspaper editor. He first worked for the Staunton Spectator and later for the Lewisburg Observer.
During the Mexican–American War, he stopped working in newspapers and joined the army. He fought as part of Hays' Texas Rangers. After this war, Harman became a butcher in Staunton. He also became a justice of the peace and an officer in the local Virginia militia.
Harman was very active in politics. He was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. In the 1860 election, he supported Stephen A. Douglas. However, after Abraham Lincoln was elected president, Harman believed that Virginia should work with the states that had left the Union.
A Key Role in the Civil War
John Harman became General Stonewall Jackson's quartermaster in the spring of 1861. This happened when Jackson took command at Harpers Ferry. Harman was made a Captain and later promoted to Major.
General Jackson personally asked Harman to take on this important job. At first, Harman wanted to go back to his business or fight as a combat officer. But Jackson convinced him, and General Robert E. Lee approved the appointment.
Harman became known for how well he managed supplies and transportation. He was very efficient. Even though Jackson valued Harman's skills, their relationship wasn't always easy. Harman sometimes disagreed with Jackson's battle plans. For example, after the battle of McDowell in 1862, Harman wrote that he felt they had been "worsted by miss-management."
Harman also faced personal hardship during the war. He was given a short leave because his children were sick with scarlet fever. When he returned home, he found two of his children had died and two were still very ill. He asked for more leave, but it was not given. When another child died later, his request to attend the funeral was also denied.
After General Jackson died, Harman continued to serve as quartermaster for General Richard S. Ewell. Sometimes, he also helped General Lee as the acting chief quartermaster.
Life After the War
After the Civil War ended, John Harman became involved in community activities again. He participated in the Valley Railroad Convention and was a delegate for the Conservative Party.
However, he soon changed his political views and became a Republican. He worked to help African-Americans in Virginia gain their freedom and rights. In 1869, he led the Republican Party in Augusta County. He later turned down a position on the Republican Party's main committee but served in the Republican state convention in 1870. Because of his efforts, he was given the job of postmaster in Staunton.
Harman's Family
In 1849, John Harman married his cousin, Elizabeth Garber. They built a home called Bellefonte, just outside Staunton. Together, they had 13 children. Sadly, five of their children passed away before their parents did.
