Background
Henry Clark Corbin was born on September 15, 1842 in Batavia, Clermont County, Ohio, United States. He was the son of Shadrach and Mary Anne (Clark) Corbin.
Henry Clark Corbin was born on September 15, 1842 in Batavia, Clermont County, Ohio, United States. He was the son of Shadrach and Mary Anne (Clark) Corbin.
He was educated in the common schools and studied law.
On July 28, 1862, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the 83rd Ohio Infantry. A month later he was transferred to the 79th Ohio Infantry, and in May 1863 he was promoted first lieutenant. During the war he served at the headquarters of the Department of the Ohio, with the Army of the West, the Army of the Cumberland, and with General Steedman's division of General Thomas's army.
On November 14, 1863, he became major of the 14th (Negro) Infantry. This regiment achieved distinction in the battles of Nashville, Decatur, and Pulaski, and in the pursuit of Hood's army after its defeat at Nashville.
During the war Corbin held all volunteer grades from second lieutenant to brigadier-general. He was twice brevetted for gallant and meritorious service at Decatur, Alabama, and at Nashville, Tenn Corbin was mustered out of the volunteer service, March 26, 1866, and at the solicitation of General Grant, entered the regular service as second lieutenant, 17th United States Infantry, May 11, 1866.
In the regular army his rise was rapid. He served for ten years on the plains of Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, and saw service in the field against Apaches, Sioux, and Moquis.
In March 1877, when his friend Rutherford B. Hayes became president, Corbin was detailed for duty at the White House as military aide, the first man to hold this position. He served as secretary of the famous Sitting Bull Commission, and was with President Garfield when he was shot, July 2, 1881, as well as at his bedside when he died at Elberon, New Jersey.
He was appointed adjutant-general of the army, February 25, 1898, a few weeks before the Spanish-American War broke out. The responsibility rested on him of organizing, equipping, and arming an army of 275, 000 men.
During the war President McKinley offered him the appointment of major-general of volunteers but he declined it on the ground that acceptance of staff duty carried with it an obligation to remain in that service when needed badly. He commanded the Philippine Division, 1904-06, was appointed lieutenant-general, April 15, 1906, and was retired for age, September 15, 1906.
While adjutant-general he threw the weight of his influence in favor of the Hull Bill for the army's reorganization and for the creation of a general staff, even though it curtailed his own authority. For his "disinterested and unselfish course" in this matter he was praised by Elihu Root, then secretary of war.
He died in New York City, following an operation, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Corbin was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and of the Sons of the American Revolution.
During his long army career Corbin made enemies, who called him "pushing, ambitious and showy, " but they conceded that he had the interests of the army at heart.
He was a handsome man, of striking physical appearance, a huge frame, and a fine military carriage, and he had an exceptional capacity for winning and retaining friends.
Quotes from others about the person
"The Adjutant General was in his office almost the entire time, often spending the night there worked Sundays and holidays and at all hours when the emergency required it. " (Gen. Grenville M. Dodge)
He was twice married. His first wife, Frances Strickle, of Wilmington, Ohio, to whom he was married on September 6, 1865, bore him seven children. Four of these children, Henry, Philip, Rebekah, and Caroline died in infancy. The others, Rutherford Hayes, Katherine, and Grace grew to maturity. On November 6, 1901, he was married to Edith Agnes Patten but had no children by this marriage.
