Joseph H. Barnes

Joseph Henry Barnes (1833–1906) was an American Brevet Brigadier General who commanded the 29th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.

Biography Early life Joseph was born on July 25, 1833. He moved to East Boston some time later and became a printer before the outbreak of the American Civil War. He also married Anna Delia Stickney and later had 3 children. Barnes was then made Lieutenant Colonel of the newly formed 29th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment on December 13, 1861, as he led Company K of the regiment.

Barnes then became the main commander of the regiment after Colonel Ebenezer W. Peirce was considered absent but was wounded at the Battle of White Oak Swamp and was recovering but managed to participate at the Battle of Antietam as the regiment was part of the Irish Brigade during the assault on the Sunken Road. After the two battles, the 29th Massachusetts became a part of the IX Corps and continued to command in the Siege of Petersburg such as in the Battle of the Crater before he was honorably mustered out on October 9, 1864. He was brevetted to Brigadier General on August 19, 1864, for his services at the Battle of Globe Tavern.

Later years After the war, Barnes would serve as the Deputy Collector of the Port of Boston from 1880 to 1900. He was also associated with veteran associations as well as a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Grand Army of the Republic.