Background
Harker was born on December 2, 1835, in Swedesboro, New Jersey.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Charles Harker
Edit ProfileEducation
Harker graduated in 1858 with the brevet rank of second lieutenant in the 2nd United States. Infantry and was assigned to garrison duty at the United States Army post on Governor"s Island in New York Harbor.
Career
He was killed in action at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in northern Georgia during the Atlanta Campaign. Fort Harker in Kansas, an active garrison of the United States Army from 1866 to 1872, was named in his honor. As a youth, he worked as a clerk in a retail store owned by United States. Congressman Nathan T. Stratton.
Through the influences of Stratton, Harker received an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New New York
Subsequently, Harker served at outposts in the Oregon and Washington territories. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Harker was assigned to duty in Ohio to help train newly recruited volunteer soldiers.
He was promoted to first lieutenant of the 15th United States. Infantry on May 14, 1861, and then to captain on October 24, 1861. He was subsequently appointed as colonel of the 65th Ohio Infantry, a regiment in the forces of Brigade
General Don Carlos Buell.
He became the regiment"s colonel on November 11, 1861. Harker and the 65th OVI participated in the April 1862 Battle of Shiloh, as well as the subsequent Siege of Corinth, Mississippi. In late June, he took over command of the 20th Brigade, 6th Division, Army of the Ohio, replacing James A. Garfield.
Later that year, he was involved in the Battle of Perryville in Kentucky.
Harker received praise for his significant contributions during the Battle of Stones River at the end of the year while leading the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Left Wing of XIV Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. In 1863, he was in command of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, IV Corps, Army of the Cumberland, Military Division of the Mississippi.
He again drew the attention of his senior commanders with a determined stand against Confederate attackers during the Battle of Chickamauga in northern Georgia. In recognition of his performance and service, he was promoted to fill an opening as a brigadier general, dating from September 20, 1863.
After participating in the fighting around Chattanooga and the assault on Missionary Ridge, he and his men helped relieve Major
General Ambrose East. Burnside during the Siege of Knoxville. In mid-1864, as the Atlanta Campaign began, Harker commanded a brigade under Major
General Oliver O. Howard.
On May 7, he successfully held the peak of Rocky Face Ridge despite determined Confederate efforts to dislodge his mentor In June William T. Sherman"s Union army attempted to displace Confederate troops from their fortifications on Kennesaw Mountain. Harker was shot from his horse and mortally wounded during a failed attack on June 27, 1864.
Harker is portrayed by Bob Gunton in the 1989 Civil War film, Glory.
Unlike the real Harker, who died at 26, for dramatization purposes, the film portrays him as an older general who authorises plunder and corruption among his subordinates.
-
Born
-
Died
June 27, 1864 (aged 26) -
Nationality
United States