Henry Clay Merriam

Background

Henry Clay Merriam was a descendant of Joseph Merriam of Kent, England, who came to Concord, Massachusetts, in 1638. He was born on November 13, 1837, at Houlton, Maine. He was the son of Lewis and Mary Ann (Foss) Merriam.

Education

Merriam received his early education at Houlton Academy and Colby College, where his law studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War. Colby College granted him the degree of B. A. in 1864, however, and that of M. A. in 1867. He left college in 1862 to become captain in the 20th Maine Volunteers, and participated in the battle of Antietam, where he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for gallantry, and in the battles of Shepherdstown and Fredericksburg. Mustered out of the military service October 24, 1865, he resumed the study of law until recommissioned a major in the Regular Army, July 28, 1866.

Career

As captain in the 80th United States Colored Infantry, Merriam led in the assault on Port Hudson, Louisiana, May 27, 1863, and was promoted lieutenant-colonel. Subsequently, he commanded Fort McIntosh, Texas, during prolonged border troubles. On April 10, 1876, he assumed responsibility for firing upon Mexican federal forces in reprisal for outrages committed against American citizens; and on August 22, crossing the Rio Grande, he rescued the American commercial agent, held prisoner by revolutionists. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel, 2nd Infantry, June 10, 1876, and took part in the Nez Percé Indian campaign of the year following, receiving high commendation from Generals Oliver O. Howard and Nelson A. Miles and from the territorial authorities of Idaho and Washington. He was promoted colonel, 7th Infantry, July 10, 1885. During the Sioux Indian War of 1890-91, he was instrumental in disarming some three hundred of Sitting Bull's followers. He was promoted brigadier-general, Regular Army, on June 30, 1897. Appointed major-general of volunteers May 4, 1898, after the outbreak of the war with Spain, he had charge of organizing and equipping the Philippines Expeditionary Force. The following year, while in command of the Department of Colorado, he was in charge of the troops sent at the request of the Idaho authorities to help suppress the labor riots at the Coeur d'Alène lead mines. Here he acted with vigor and good judgment; martial law was declared and order was restored. A subsequent investigation, ordered by the president to satisfy public opinion aroused by the labor agitators, resulted in Merriam's conduct being officially approved. On November 13, 1901, he was placed on the retired list by reason of age, but by Act of Congress in February 1903 he was advanced to the grade of major-general. He died at his home in Portland, Me. , after an illness of nearly two years, and was interred at Arlington with high military honors.

Achievements

• At Fort Blakely, April 9, 1865, Merriam led in the assault on the enemy's works, an attack resulting in the capture of some 6, 000 prisoners. For this achievement, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the brevet of colonel in both the Regular and Volunteer services. Merriam was the inventor of a successful pack for infantry soldiers which bore his name, and for which he was awarded a gold medal by the French Academy of Inventors.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Merriam genealogy in England and America

    (Merriam genealogy in England and America. 576 Pages.)

Connections

Merriam was twice married: on January 16, 1866, to Lucy J. Getchell, who was drowned with an infant daughter, in a cloudburst at Staked Plains, Texas, April 24, 1870; and on June 4, 1874, to Una Macpherson-Macneil of Kingston, Jamaica, who survived him, together with three sons and two daughters.

Father:

Lewis Merriam

4 June 1805 - 27 May 1889

Mother:

Mary Ann Foss Merriam

29 March 1818 - 3 May 1880

Brother:

Cyrus Knapp Merriam

29 January 1849 - 6 December 1938

Brother:

William Harrison Merriam

10 August 1846 - 14 April 1919

Brother:

Charles Merriam

2 September 1853 - 14 October 1856

Brother:

Lewis M Merriam

4 April 1843 - 15 October 1923

Brother:

Rufus Merriam

7 October 1851 - 18 June 1916

Brother:

Norman James Merriam

25 February 1844 - 21 May 1897

Brother:

Leonard Brooks Merriam

3 August 1835 - 25 September 1923

Sister:

Augusta Josephine Merriam Boyd

2 December 1840 - 24 July 1936

Sister:

Lucy Hatstat Merriam Foss

23 October 1840 - 20 November 1872

Wife:

Lucy Jane Getchell Merriam

1846 - 24 April 1870

Wife:

Catherine Una MacPherson Merriam

29 September 1848 - 17 May 1938

Daughter:

Mary E. Merriam

1868 - 24 April 1870

Daughter:

Katherine Maude Merriam Bradley

30 April 1889 - 5 January 1963

Son:

Cyrus Lincoln Merriam

16 December 1879 - 13 April 1966

Son:

Charles Bailey Merriam

27 August 1885 - 31 December 1946

Son:

Henry MacPherson Merriam

12 October 1877 - 17 August 1942

References

• Historical Register Of Officers Of The Continental Army During The War Of The Revolution, April, 1775, To December, 1783
• Commander and Builder of Western Forts: The Life and Times of Major General Henry C. Merriam, 1862-1901