James Barnet Fry

Background

James Barnet Fry was born on February 22, 1827, at Carrollton. He was the son of Gen. Jacob and Emily (Turney) Fry.

Education

Fry was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1847.

Career

Fry served as brevet second lieutenant of artillery during the Mexican War, was later instructor in artillery at West Point and Fortress Monroe, and for five years was adjutant at West Point.

On March 16, 1861, he was appointed an assistant adjutant-general of the army and brevetted captain, and after successive promotions was commissioned lieutenant-colonel as of December 31, 1862.

Meanwhile, he had served for two months as aide-de-camp and adjutant-general on the staff of Gen. McDowell and a year as chief-of-staff of Gen. Buell in the Army of Ohio.

He was commended by McDowell for conduct at Manassas, and by Buell for gallantry at Shiloh and ability and zeal in the performance of his duties, and was recommended for appointment as brigadier-general of volunteers.

His emphasis, throughout life, upon Buell’s contribution to victory at Shiloh was unpalatable to Grant and Sherman. He was a leading witness before the military commission convened in November 1862 to investigate Buell’s conduct after the battle of Perryville, and it was presumably feeling in the Senate against his commander which prevented confirmation of two nominations as brevet-colonel which Fry received in 1863.

When, however, the Bureau of the Provost- Marshal-General was created to check desertions and physical exemptions, reorganize recruiting, and enforce conscription Col. Fry was detailed to the post on March 17, 1863.

He originated the basic organization of the Bureau and his final report showed that on the whole, his administration of it was successful and economical. The Bureau did much to equalize the efforts of the states, systematize military organization, and bind together the people and the government, but it could not satisfy everybody in fixing state quotas or crediting past enlistments against them.

Scandals arose, also, from the collusion of certain local provost-marshals with bounty-jumpers; national traditions were strong against conscription, and both these causes for discontent gave rise to the draft riots of Boston and New York in July 1863, and to Fry’s later quarrel with Roscoe Conkling.

Fry received the rank of brigadier-general as of April 21, 1864, but this rank expired with the Bureau on August 28, 1866. Before that date the introduction by James G. Blaine in the House of Representatives of a bill for the reorganization of the army, making the Bureau permanent, led to a debate on that point between Blaine and Roscoe Conkling which was one of the most sensational in Congressional history.

A House committee, appointed to consider the charges mutually made by Fry and Conkling, ignored the latter’s because of the magnitude of the task involved in a study of the Bureau’s operations, yet censured Fry for abuse of the privileges of the House in making his charges through Representative Blaine.

The controversy was evidenced in obstinate struggles in the Senate over his successive nominations to higher rank, but by February 14, 1868, he had been confirmed successively major-general by brevet “for faithful, meritorious and distinguished services” as provost-marshal-general; colonel by brevet “for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Bull Run”; and brigadier-general by brevet “for gallant and meritorious services at the battles of Shiloh, Tennessee, and Perryville, Kentucky” all as of March 13, 1865.

He became a colonel, in the department of the Adjutant-General, as of March 3, 1875, and served thereafter as adjutant-general of the military divisions of the Pacific, South, and Atlantic.

In 1875, he published A Sketch of the Adjutant General’s Department, United States Army 1775-1875, with Some General Remarks on its Province, which was followed by The History and Legal Effects of Brevets in the Armies of Great Britain and the United States (1877) and Army Sacrifices; or, Briefs from Official Pigeon-holes: Sketches illustrating the Services and Experiences of the Regular Army of the United States on the Indian Frontier (1879).

On July 1, 1881, he was retired at his own request, that he might devote himself to literary pursuits. In addition to aiding greatly in the preparation of Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, he published articles in periodicals, notably the North American Review.

He died in 1894, at Newport, Rhode Island, and was buried in the churchyard of St. James the Less, Philadelphia.

Achievements

• Barnet was a leading witness before the military commission convened in November 1862 to investigate Buell’s conduct after the battle of Perryville. He originated the basic organization of the Bureau of the Provost-Marshal-General and his final report showed that on the whole, his administration of it was successful and economical. The Bureau did much to equalize the efforts of the states and systematize military organization. He published articles in periodicals, notably the North American Review. Was a remarkable person of his time, accomplished soldier and an executive officer of extraordinary tact, ability, and industry.

Works

More photos

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  • New York and the Conscription of 1863; a Chapter in History of the Civil War

    (Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We h...)

  • The History and Legal Effect of Brevets in the Armies of Great Britain and the United States: From Their Origin in 1692 to the Present Time

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

  • Operations of the Army Under Buell from June 10Th to October 30Th, 1862: And the "Buell Commission."

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

  • Mcdowell and Taylor in the Campaign of Bull Run 1861

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • Military Miscellanies

    (This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)

  • The Conkling and Blaine-Fry Controversy in 1866

    (The Conkling and Blaine-Fry Controversy in 1866 by James ...)

  • New York and the Conscription of 1863: A Chapter in the History of the Civil War (1885)

    (Originally published in 1885. This volume from the Cornel...)

Membership

In 1883, Fry became a member of the Aztec Club of 1847.

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• A just characterization of Fry is that of Nicolay and Hay: “not only an accomplished soldier but an executive officer of extraordinary tact, ability, and industry. ”

Connections

James Barnet was married to Caroline Fry.

Father:

Gen. Jacob Fry

Mother:

Emily (Turney) Fry

Wife:

Caroline Fry

27 May 1824 - 16 August 1897