Background
Barlow was born on October 19, 1834, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a Unitarian minister, but was raised in his mother's home town of Brookline, Massachusetts.
(This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th...)
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
https://www.amazon.com/Facts-Dudley-Francis-Channing-Barlow/dp/1166929248?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1166929248
Barlow was born on October 19, 1834, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a Unitarian minister, but was raised in his mother's home town of Brookline, Massachusetts.
He studied law at Harvard University, graduated first in his class, and was practicing law on the staff of the New York Tribune newspaper when the Civil War broke out in 1861.
Soon after, he went to New York, and in the following year commenced the practise of law, being admitted to the bar in May 1858. In 1859 he formed a law partnership with George Bliss, Jr. , with whom he remained until the opening of the Civil War. During this time he wrote occasional law reports and editorials for the New York Tribune. On the outbreak of war, Barlow's patriotic spirit led him to abandon his profession on the very eve of his marriage. On April 19, 1861, after declining an appointment as a lieutenant, he enlisted as a private in the 12th New York Infantry. His regiment never got to the front, but served three months in the defenses of the capital. On May 2 Barlow accepted an appointment as first-lieutenant, and served until he was honorably mustered out on August 1 of the same year. He reentered the military service as lieutenant-colonel of the 61st New York Infantry, on November 9, 1861.
With this regiment he returned to Washington, near which, under the direction of Gen. McClellan, the winter was spent in severe preparation for the coming campaigns. Barlow went with his regiment to Fort Monroe, where shortly afterward he was promoted to colonel. He served honorably in the Peninsular campaign, especially at the battle of Fair Oaks. Returning from the vicinity of Richmond, he was placed in command of the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, of Howard's corps. He commanded this brigade during the battle of Antietam. Gallantly leading his men in the Bloody Lane, near the Piper House, Barlow at a critical moment checked an attempt of the enemy to flank the Union line. But he was soon after struck down by artillery fire, which severely wounded him in the groin. For his fine conduct in this and preceding battles, he was appointed brigadier-general September 19, 1862.
He was returned to duty in time to take part in the Chancellorsville campaign. Here he commanded the left brigade of the 11th corps, and was involved in its rout, when it was attacked by Jackson. His next duty was at Gettysburg. His command was now part of the advance forces of Meade's army. Still a portion of the 11th (Howard's) corps, Barlow, on July 1, 1863, fought north of Gettysburg to prevent the Confederates from seizing the town and the hills to the south, which were the key positions of that great battlefield. The right of the Federal troops being turned by Early's division, and the men commencing to fall back, exposing the town of Gettysburg to the enemy, Barlow valiantly but vainly attempted to rally his command. He himself was shot through the body by a Minié ball, which passed out close to the spine, paralyzing his legs and arms. Left for dead on the field, he was seen by the Confederate Gen. Gordon, who dismounted from his horse and gave him water, and then had him placed in a building near-by.
After the Union victory, the Federal troops found their abandoned general. Under the tender care of his devoted wife, he was eventually brought back to health, but only after some ten months in hospitals. On rejoining the army he was assigned on April 1, 1864, to the command of the 16t division, 2nd (Hancock's) corps. Barlow served throughout the Wilderness campaign. His division was one of two selected by Hancock to attack the Confederate salient at Spottsylvania on May 12. This attack was launched at dawn, without firing a shot. It became very disorderly but so surprised the enemy that no effectual resistance was offered. It was extremely successful, 4, 000 prisoners, including two generals, 30 colors, and 20 guns being captured. It was the greatest blow that Lee's army had received in the campaign, destroying any hope that might have existed of stopping Grant's advance.
Barlow took part in further operations during the advance to the James River and in the early battles around Petersburg. But his health broke under the strain of the continued fighting and of the loss of his wife, who died on July 27. He went on an extended trip to Europe, and did not return to duty until April 1 following. During this period he was brevetted major-general "for highly meritorious and distinguished conduct while leading his division in the assault on the enemy's works at Spottsylvania. " On April 6, 1865, he was assigned to and assumed command of the 2nd division, 2nd corps. He at once entered into the final fighting of the war. In reserve at Sailor's Creek on April 6, Barlow's division entered line the next day. Near Farmville he seized and held the only bridge to the north side of the Appomattox, which Lee had hoped to destroy to prevent Grant's army from overtaking his retreating troops. The loss of this bridge exposed Lee to simultaneous attacks from front and rear and resulted in his surrender.
As a reward for this service, Barlow was appointed major-general on May 25, and assigned to the command of the 2nd corps. Barlow now entered political life. He accepted the candidacy in New York for secretary of state, and was elected to this office in November 1865. He consequently declined a permanent appointment in the regular army, and resigned his volunteer commission of major-general on November 16. He reestablished his law partnership with George Bliss, opening offices in New York City in 1866.
He was not reelected as secretary of state. In 1869 President Grant appointed him United States marshal for the southern district of New York. He cleaned out the offices, changing the entire personnel. When called upon for a political contribution assessed on the supposed emoluments of his office, he declined to pay except on the basis of his salary, and carefully eliminated any chances of the receipt by his assistants of any money other than authorized fees. Soon after assuming these new duties, Barlow received from the President command of the combined military, naval, and revenue forces of the Government in the New England states, New York, and New Jersey, under a law of 1818, in order to stop filibustering expeditions against the island of Cuba. He seized a shipload of Cubans, with arms and munitions, and put an end to further movements of this nature.
In 1869, Barlow was again elected secretary of state for New York, and held office during 1870, when he was elected attorney-general of the state, a position he held from 1871 until 1873. His administration was vigorous. In the first year he initiated the prosecution of the infamous "Tweed Ring" and their counsel. About the same time he became one of the founders of the Bar Association. In 1874 he resumed the private practise of law. In 1876 he was appointed to investigate and report upon alleged election irregularities in Florida in connection with the Hayes and Tilden controversy. He made a vigorous report exposing the conditions which had existed before and at the elections. This was his last public service. He continued to practise law until he died at New York, January 11, 1896.
(This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th...)
Barlow was of medium size, slender, with smooth face, temperamentally enthusiastic and energetic in whatever he undertook. He was not a military genius, but his solid character led to important results in his army career, and these in turn gave him political and business successes. His slight build made him appear younger than he really was, and earned for him in the war the nickname of "boy general. "
On April 20, 1861, he married Arabella Wharton Griffith of Somerville, New Jersey.
In 1867 he was married to Ellen Shaw of Boston, who was then living on Staten Island.