John Walbach

Later career and death He spent much of his later career in command of coastal fortifications including Fort Constitution near Portsmouth, New Hampshire (before 1809 to July 1821), Fort Trumbull in New London, Connecticut (December 1823 to as of February 1827), Fort Severn in Annapolis, Maryland (as of January 1, 1828 to as of October 1828), Commandant, Artillery School of Practice at Fort Monroe, Virginia (as of January 1, 1830), Frankford Arsenal in Pennsylvania (as of January 1, 1831 to as of January 1, 1832) and Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland (November 1832 to March 1834), Fort Severn (June 1834 to December 1839), Fort Monroe (December 1839 to September 1848), Fort Pickens (November 1848 to April 1849) and Fort McHenry (October 1, 1853 to June 10, 1857). (Source - Official Army Registers 1825 to 1840. Returns of Army Posts.)

He was promoted to colonel and placed in command of the 4th Artillery Regiment on March 15, 1842. He took command of the regiment at Fort Monroe and was also the commander of Fort Monroe by right of being the senior officer present. In May 1850 he received a brevet promotion to brigadier general retroactive to 1823. Walbach and the regimental headquarters moved on Fort McHenry on October 1, 1853. He remained as colonel of the 4th Artillery until he died in 1857. Walbach did not serve in Mexico during the Mexican War due to his age at the time (80 years).

Walbach possessed mental and physical vigor until an advanced age. As there was no mandatory retirement age prior to the Civil War, he remained on active duty until he died, at the age of 90, in Baltimore, Maryland on June 10, 1857. The official announcement of General Walbach's death contained this eulogy - His long life and military career were characterized by some of the best traits of a gentleman and as soldier - unwavering integrity, truth and honor, strict attention to duty and zeal for service; and he tempered the administration of an exact discipline by the most elevated courtesies.

Walbach was buried in the New Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore. His wife and his son Louis are buried near him.

Family Walbach married Mary Louise Harberger in Philadelphia in 1802.

Legacy General Walbach holds the record for being the oldest officer to serve on active duty in the history of the United States Army, as well as the oldest person to serve on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, being 90 years old at the time of his death. His 58 year career was third only in length to that of Generals of the Army Douglas MacArthur (64 years) and Omar Bradley (69 years). (Generals MacArthur and Bradley were allowed to remain on active duty for life following their promotions to General of the Army. They effectively retired (i.e. having no active assignment) after 51 and 42 years of service respectively.)

Several streets near Army installations he commanded are named after him, including Walbach Street near Fort Trumbull in New London, Connecticut; Walbach Street near Fort Constitution in New Castle, New Hampshire; and Walbach Street near Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The latter is jointly named for his son, Louis Augustus de Barth Walbach, who also served as arsenal commander.

The Walbach Tower near Fort Constitution was built under his supervision and is named for him. Ruins of the tower still remain.

Fort Walbach (a.k.a. Camp Walbach) is located on Lodge Pole Creek, approximately 25 miles northwest of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and was established on September 20, 1858 and named in honor of General Walbach. As this post was temporary, it was abandoned on April 19, 1859. The site of Fort Walbach was marked by the Wyoming Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1914.

Battery Walbach at Fort Wetherill in Jamestown, Rhode Island was also named after him when it was constructed in the early 20th century.

The town of Wallback, West Virginia and the nearby Wallback Wildlife Management Area are named for him. Walbach had inherited extensive lands from his father, Jean Joseph de Barth, including 10,000 acres on the Elk River.

Dates of rank

French Army Ensign, Regiment of Royal Alsace - 1 December 1782 2nd Lieutenant, Lauzun Hussars - 17 January 1784 1st Lieutenant, Lauzun Hussars - 27 May 1789 Captain, Rohan's Hussars - 21 October 1790 Major, Rohan's Hussars - 25 November 1795

United States Army 2nd Lieutenant, Light Dragoons – 8 January 1799 Discharged - 15 June 1800 Lieutenant, 2nd Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers - 16 February 1801 Captain, Artillerists - 31 January 1806 Major and Assistant Adjutant General - 27 June 1813 Colonel and Adjutant General - 6 August 1813 Brevet Major "for gallant conduct in the Battle of Chrystler's Field, Upper Canada" - 11 November 1813 Brevet Lieutenant Colonel "for meritorious service" - 1 May 1815 Relieved as Adjutant General and retained as Captain, Corps of Artillery - 15 June 1815 Major, Corps of Artillery - 25 April 1818 Brevet Colonel "for ten years faithful service in one grade" - 1 May 1825 Lieutenant Colonel, 1st Artillery - 30 May 1832 Colonel, 4th Artillery - 19 March 1842 Brevet Brigadier General "for meritorious service" - May 1850 (to date from 11 November 1823)