A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname

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Notes for Malvern-Hill BARNUM

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Malvern-Hill Barnum was named after the Civil-War battle in which his father was wounded. His father, Henry Alanson Barnum, was a teacher, lawyer and militia officer before the Civil War. He enlisted in the Regular Army at Syracuse, New York in 1861, as a Captain in the 12th New York Infantry and served with that unit at the battles of Blackburn's Ford, First Bull Run and Malvern Hill. He was wounded in action and captured by the Confederates during the latter battle, and later named his second son after the location. Malvern-Hill Barnum followed his father in choosing the Army as a career. He attended City College of New York (CCNY), where he pledged Phi Gamma Delta in 1884. During the Spanish-American War, he was Lieutenant and Adjutant, 10th Cavalry USA. He was wounded at San Juan Hill.

In the 1900 US Census he was enumerated at the US Military Academy at West Point, New York. He was 36 years old, a First Lieutenant in the 10th Cavalry, and presumably a member of the teaching staff.

As a Colonel and later a Brigadier General in the 92d Division (a Black combat division) during WWI, he felt that while most African Americans, because of educational deficiencies, would have to be employed in line of communications work, combatant units should be organized in the infantry, cavalry, and artillery and these units should be officered by Negroes to the extent to which competent men could be found. He wrote:

"The colored race in our Country is making great advances in education and in commercial and professional channels. It would not be in accordance with the policy of our Country to close to the colored man the door of opportunity to become officers, and to rise as high as their merit will permit .... The greatest difficulty to be overcome [in World War I officer training] was the natural lack of aggressiveness on the part of the colored man. It could not for a moment be expected that a race which had for two hundred years, or more, been kept in a subordinate position would suddenly manifest aggressiveness such as was required in the desperate fighting which occurred during the last year or two of this war. Some may say that colored men are not competent to become officers of the Army. This statement is entirely too sweeping, for there is no doubt but that we had many colored officers who were thoroughly competent, the fact that we had a good many incompetent ones should not be allowed to give rise to the feeling that all were incompetent." In 1926, he was a Brigadier General stationed at Camp Devens, Massachusetts.

The following letter was written by General Barnum to the members of his command, upon his transfer to another assignment:

A. P. O. 714, France.
22 December, 1918.

From: Malvern.-Hill Barnum, Brigadier-General, U. S. A.
To: The Officers and men of the 183rd Brigade.
Subject: Relief from command.

The order detaching me from command of the 183rd Brigade was unexpected and, coming as it did just as the Brigade was moving, made it impossible for me to give expression to my regret at having to sever an association of over a year, and one that will be one of the pleasantest recollections of my Army career. Having organized and trained the 183rd Brigade and commanded it through its active service in the present war, I can speak for the willing compliance to all requirements that made the work very enjoyable. When men work with their hearts as well as their heads and hands, the best results are certain to follow. I feel that the officers and enlisted men of the Brigade may justly be proud of the record made and I believe that history will accord them no little credit. I trust that each one will do his utmost to insure to the Brigade the finest record possible during the remainder of its period of service. Finally in returning to their homes I trust that each one will take with him a high sense of responsibility as an American citizen and a keen desire to perform faithfully whatever duties fall to him in the future. With such a heritage from his Army service each one will not only have helped win the war and thus rendered a great service to humanity, but will himself have become the gainer through the remaining years of his life.

(Signed) MALVERN-HILL BARNUM.

This letter will be published to all members of the command at the earliest opportunity.

By order of Colonel Parrott.

Hq. 366th Infantry........................................(Signed) R. D. MCCORD,
December 24, 1918.....................................Capt. and Adjt., 366th Inf.

A number of mentions of General Barnum appear in the "Letters and Observations of
Major Albro Lefils Parsons, Jr., M.D. Army Medical Corps, at the Close of World War I; January 1919 to August 1919," as follows:

Spa, January 21, 1919. I have seen many so-called chateau in France, but this is a real one. It is called Villa Sous-Bois, and old Hindenburg used it as his headquarters when in Spa. It is a beautiful place, with enormous rooms and from every window is a beautiful picture of Belgian scenery. I am seated now in a leather upholstered chair in front of an open fire place, and I can imagine that Hindenburg sat here and planned the ruin of the Allies.

This is the headquarters of the American Commission, which is here as a part of the permanent Inter-Allied Armistice Commission, and as I understand it, this Commission has the duty of seeing that Germany keeps her word as far as the Armistice goes.

There are some eight or ten officers in this Commission, under Gen. Malvern Hill Barnum. They are as hospitable as can be and have made me feel very much at home. Some doubt exists as to whether I am intended for Berlin or not. I showed Col. Jones' note, hoping that it would influence them to send me on. Gen. Harries is due here this evening from Berlin for a conference. Perhaps he will be able to throw some light on the matter.

Just now Gen. Barnum and his staff went out on the lawn to be photographed. Naturally I did not go, as I am not a member of this Commission, but he very kindly sent his Aide to invite me to be among them, and I will send you a picture when it is developed.

Berlin, May 4, 1919 Lieut. Gailmard gave a party last night for Gen. Barnum's A.D.C. The General has come from Spa to pay us a little visit. Gailmard used my room and we had a gay time. It is really a pleasure to see the way the American women eat Quartermaster candy after these years of German food. They also go into ecstasies over white bread, olives, sardines, butter and French fried potatoes. They tell me, and I know it is true, that the German war bread is absolutely unsatisfying. You can eat it until you feel positively stuffed, and you are still hungry at the end of the meal. One lady complained very bitterly of the number of carrots they had been compelled to eat. Carrots figure largely in the German diet in coffee, beer, the jam they have for breakfast, in all of their soups and many of their desserts. It also forms a part of their bread. She said that if she ever got out of Germany she would never look a carrot in the face again. The Germans have become very skillful in inventing attractive dishes out of the little they have. For instance, I ate recently a carrot pie, which was so disguised that you would never have known what was in it.

The German has always laid great stress on eating, many of them indulging as many as six times a day. So when he is now offered substitutes for coffee, tea, bread and even tobacco, he naturally revolts. Cabbage soup without fat is not to his taste. A German wit tells the story of a man who stored up two rooms full of dried leaves, and, when asked the reason, replied: "I have not decided yet whether to sell these leaves as tea or tobacco, it will depend on the price." Formerly it was unheard of, when visiting, not to be offered something to eat, but now we learn many parties are called off because the hostess has been unable to procure anything to appease her guests' appetites.

6 P. M. I was interrupted and have had a big day since I wrote the above. Gen. Harries wanted me to take Gen. Barnum and his Aide to a Russian prison camp. I chose Muencheberg, because it is near and we had a pleasant drive out there this morning. Gen. Barnum was delighted to see a camp and I must say this one looked very well. I acted as interpreter and the German officials were very courteous and showed us over the camp, sleeping quarters, hospital and kitchen. The General also had an opportunity to see the stores which the Red Cross had sent, and which are kept under lock and key by our representative there. We tasted the soup which the Russians eat, and found it a very wholesome and nutritious diet. I was particularly proud of this camp, because the only Allied representative there just now is a medical officer, who not only attends to the work I have assigned him, but assumes the duties ordinarily vested in a line officer.

On the way back Gen. Barnum told me that a private view of Sans Soucci had been arranged for him, and that he should like me to go with him this afternoon.

It seems arrangements had been made with the Minister of Finance for this private visit, and shortly after lunch a Herr Heinrich called for us in a big Mercedes car. Not content with a chauffeur alone, he also had a footman. Herr Heinrich is a typical example of the modern rulers of Germany, in that he occupies a fairly high position and seems to think that a soiled collar and baggy trousers are the badge of his position. I think this is a slight concession to Bolshevism, for one of their tenets seems to be that cleanliness should be stamped out as was the old regime.

Anyway we had a most delightful drive, for Herr Heinich had arranged for us to go by roads that are ordinarily forbidden to automobiles. We drove through the grounds of some beautiful villas which border the Havel River and the Wannsee, and through a beautiful pine woods which Herr Heinich told us was known as "the lungs of Berlin."

Potsdam is apparently a deserted little town whose only claim to notoriety was Frederick the Great and the famous regiment whose headquarters was there. It was called the cradle of the German army.

To my surprise we also motored to the park at Sans Soucci. You should have seen the people stare at automobile being it allowed inside the gates. I, also, had to walk 18 years ago when I visited this park.

Everything was arranged for our convenience. The various palaces had been notified and as we alighted at each, a very solemn gentleman met us, in frock coat and top hat, and we were formally introduced. They proved to be care-takers of a superior sort, who knew not only the history of each palace, but good deal about its art. Thus we are shown through the rooms they acted as guides and told stories of famous incidents that had happened in the historic halls under their care. I translated for the General.

The crowds who were in the park that quite angry at our being allowed to enter some Sans Soucci palace. All of these buildings have been closed since the revolution. Seeing us enter, one German came and asked to enter also. Herr Heinich told him that was impossible; that we obtain special permission. Needless to say here Herr Heinich said this in very loud tones, and I could not help but smile. Here was a representative of the people, who professed the point of view that everyone is equal, and he flew into a rage because the crowd want to indulge in a special privilege. He was evidently delighted at having been chosen to show the General around, and yet the whole procedure was in direct violation of his political views.

We visited Sans Soucci, the Orangerie, the New Palace, where we saw the rooms of the ex-Kaiser, and then were taken to the Imperial greenhouse is to see the wonderful orchids, some of which were valued at 50,000 marks apiece. The head gardener, a really most talented horticulturist, presented each of us with a carnation from the Kaiser's private greenhouse. I'm sure that I saw many things which I did not see when here as a tourist. For instance, the shell room in the New Palace, which was used for Christmas celebrations by the Royal Family, in which the walls were covered with shells and beautiful polished stones. It must be very attractive when lighted up, with these myriad reflections about the walls.

I was very glad to be of some little assistance to Gen. Barnum because he married a New Albany [Indiana] girl, and that seems very close to home, and because of his hospitality while I was at Spa.

Spa, May 17, 1919. We had a most comfortable trip from Berlin. A sick General is a very pleasant traveling companion - I never knew a more considerate man.

We left Berlin in style yesterday evening. Maj. Fally, our R. T. O., having arranged for us to board the train through the Emperor's private entrance at the Potsdam Station. This created no little curiosity on the part of the populace, but resulted in may respectful bows from the railway officials.

We had a delightful breakfast this morning of sandwiches and trench coffee, which is a most convenient thing for traveling.

Germany is certainly a beautiful country - the forests and meadows looking as prosperous as can be. Everywhere we saw yellow patches of mustard, which showed distinctly against the green background. We saw no cattle whatever.

As we entered the English bridge-head, the Scotch guard came on board and examined our passes. At Cologne we picked up Gailmard, and reached Spa about the middle of the afternoon. Gen. Barnum and his staff made us feel very welcome, and have been doing everything to amuse us since.

As we left the train this afternoon I noticed a fat, round headed German who attempted, most obsequiously, to speak to Gen. Harries. It was most obvious that the General snubbed him. He then tried to attract my attention, but I followed the General's lead. Afterwards I learned that this man was Maj. Pabst von Ohain, Chairman of the German sub-committee for prisoners of war. It seems that he has lately made a speech in Berlin, in which he referred to his attempt to have the German prisoners repatriated, or their condition improved, and he made mention of the fact that he had met with opposition on the part of the Entente, and, particularly, on the part of this Commission. This matter was reported to Gen. Dupont by a French officer, who heard it. Dupont promptly requested Minister Erzberger to send him the exact text of the speech, "in order to verify the French officer's statements." However, before this could be done Marshall Foch ordered Major von Ohain to leave Spa on the ground of defamatory statements. The Berlin press was quite indignant and made mention of the fact that the Major had helped to repatriate 800,000 enemy prisoners. After this afternoon's experience, the Major will probably not attempt to speak to an American officer again.

Strange as it may sound, the Germans actually considered sending Bernstorff as one of their representatives to Versailles. Gen. Harries was sounded out about this by the German Government, and, needless to say, the General told them that every American representative would undoubtedly leave the room the moment Bernstorff made his appearance.

I expected to go back tomorrow night, but the General says I need a rest. I cannot gain-say him, of course, but to you I can say that I have no such need.

You cannot imagine how I have enjoyed getting out of the Adlon Hotel and the atmosphere of hostility which pervades Berlin. Here it is warm and sunny and it is certainly good to get green grass under your feet again. It is a delight to look in any direction, the foliage is so beautiful. From one window I can see a wireless station, by means of which we communicate with G. H. Q. and Paris.

We watched Gen. Barnum and others play tennis this afternoon on a court near this villa.

Just before supper they took us for a drive and I got to see more of Spa. The villas around about, now occupied by the various Missions, were used once by high German officials. The Kaiser lived at Villa Fraineuse. We also saw the Hotel Britainique [sic] which was, at one time, the German G. H. Q., and from which the German Plenipotentiaries started in November to meet Foch. It was here also that the Emperor resolved to fly to Holland on November 9th. It is quite fitting that the negotiations of this Commission should now take place in this same hotel.

American members of this Commission say that Von Winterfelt, the German representative, has always presented a most soldierly bearing, and has never failed to hold his head high in the conferences. He seems to have gained their respect. It was Gen. Von Winterfelt who represented the German army in the historic meeting with Foch on November 8, 1915.

Spa, May 18, 1919. This morning some rode horseback but I played tennis, which I thoroughly enjoyed. In the afternoon three of us drove to Liege. It is one of the most beautiful drives I ever took. Belgium is lovely; the streams, the hills, the meadows and forests are so peaceful and inviting. There is plenty of stock and everywhere finely tilled lands. I was interested in seeing the milkmaids carrying two pails of milk suspended by a yoke from their shoulders.

After more tennis in the afternoon, in which Gen. Barnum proved to be not only a good General but a good sport, we were tendered a fine party. Cars had been sent to Coblenz and Liege to bring the female contingent. Three Y. M. C. A. girls came from Coblenz, Lady Haking and her two nieces from Spa and four Belgian ladies from Liege. At dinner I sat between a very vivacious Belgian and one of the English girls. All together it was a very pleasant evening. One of these "Y" girls told me that her husband was an officer with the Marines, and that he and she both had been overseas since the beginning. How whole-heartedly some families have gone into the war.

May 21, 1919. I am on the train bound again for Berlin. Gailmard and I left Spa yesterday evening. I had a shock when I found that one of the "Y" girls had, through mistake, taken my grip to Coblenz with her, but I am sure it will meet me in Cologne for I telephoned Coblenz and the courier will bring it to me. The code name for Coblenz is "Doodlebug", and it seems funny to solemnly tell exchange to give you "Doodlebug".

Yesterday afternoon Gen. Barnum and two autos full of officers were invited to Liege to the Chateau of Madame P. She and her two daughters were at the dance. She owns a beautiful estate upon which is a splendid tennis court. The grounds are very extensive and well kept. While some played tennis, the rest of us walked about the place. At one point in the grounds there is a very high bluff with the River Muese at the foot of it. The view up and down this valley is superb, and reminded me of the Kentucky River. This very spot must have been a point of vantage for we found Boche trenches everywhere.

The people tell interesting stories of the way the Germans treated them during the four years; some are pretty bad. In many instances, however, the German officer respected the families in which he was billeted. I am told that there was always displayed the coldest sort of contempt on both sides.

I am sure the Germans must have been glad at heart to get out of a country where they were so unwelcome.

Most of the people I meet here speak a little English and with the little French I have picked up, we get along fairly well. Our hostess served tea, and made us have a most delightful time.

From the New York Times of 2/22/1942: West Point, NY 2/21/1942 - A funeral service was held here today for Major Gen. Malvern Hill Barnum, USA, retired, who was graduated from the US Military Academy with General Pershing in 1886. General Barnum died Wednesday at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts at the age of 78. Burial was in the post cemetery here with full military honors. General Barnum, a veteran of the Spanish American War and World Wars retired in 1927. His last years of active duty were spent in Camp Devens [Massachusetts] where he was in command of the Eighteenth Brigade and the training center.

From the website of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States http://suvcw.org/mollus/pcinc/mhbarnum.htm : Commanders-in-Chief Biographies; Major General Malvern Hill Barnum, Commander-in-Chief 1940 - 1941, by Dr. Robert Girard Carroon, Past Commander-in-Chief, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Malvern Hill Barnum has the most unusual name of all those who have served as Commander-in-Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He is also probably one of the few people in history named for a Civil War battle. Malvern Hill was born on September 3, 1863 in Syracuse, New York. His father, Bvt. Major General Henry Alanson Barnum named his second son after the famous battle in the Seven Days Campaign against Richmond.

Henry Alanson Barnum, a native of Jamesville, New York, was educated at the Syracuse Institute and became an attorney. He was elected a captain in the 12th New York, served at the first battle of Bull Run, and then in the Peninsular Campaign. At the Battle of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862, he was seriously wounded and left for dead on the battlefield. Another officer's body was buried on the field with a headboard identifying it as that of Major Barnum who had actually been taken to Malvern House by his own men. He was captured by the advancing Confederate forces and incarcerated in Libby Prison in Richmond and was then exchanged. His wound was quite serious, a musket ball having passed through his left lower abdomen. An infection set in two years later and to keep it from spreading a Dr. March passed an oakum cord through the bullet wound to keep it open so the infection could drain. Over the years, Barnum kept the cord in place himself, while gradually reducing its size to a finer thread.

Following his exchange Henry A. Barnum was promoted to colonel of the 149th New York. He fought at Gettysburg in the division commanded by General John White Geary (Pennsylvania Commandery Insignia No. 198) in the 12th Corps. When the 12th Corps was transferred to the west Barnum went with it. In the Atlanta Campaign he was wounded twice more, once at Kenesaw Mountain and again at Peachtree Creek. He commanded a brigade in General William Tecumseh Sherman's (Ohio Commandery Insignia No. 4567) famous "March to the Sea" and led the US Army advance over the evacuated defenses of Savannah, Georgia. He became a Bvt. Brigadier General of Volunteers January 12, 1865, and a Bvt. Major General on 13 March 1865. He was made a Brigadier General on May 31, 1865. He received the Medal of Honor on July 16, 1888, for his action at Malvern Hill. He died in New York City on January 29, 1892, and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, New York.

His second son, Malvern Hill Barnum, also had an illustrious military career. He was appointed to the US Military Academy in 1882 and graduated in 1886. Upon graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd US Cavalry effective July 1, 1886. He served in various campaigns in the west and was stationed at the US Cavalry School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. On April 7th, 1893 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and assigned to the 5th US Cavalry. He served at that time at the US Arsenal at Rock Island, Illinois. Malvern Hill transferred to the 10th US Cavalry where, as regimental adjutant he was wounded at San Juan Hill on July 2, 1898, during the Santiago Campaign (for which he eventually received the Purple Heart).

From 1899 to 1902 the now Captain Malvern Hill Barnum (8th US Cavalry February 2, 1901) served at the US Military Academy. In 1905 he was appointed aide de camp to Major General John Francis Weston (D.C. Commandery Insignia No. 8322) and served in the Philippines until 1910. He returned to the 8th Cavalry as adjutant from 1910-1911 and then was assigned to the General Staff of the US Army from 1915 to 1917. He was appointed Brigadier General commanding the 183rd Brigade US Infantry of the 92nd Division on October 13, 1917, and arrived in France on June 19, 1918. From December 1918 to July 1919 he was chief of the American Sector of the Inter-Allied Armistice Commission stationed at Spa (in the Chateau Villa Sous-Bois, the same palace which Hindenburg used as his headquarters) in Belgium. The Commission was charged with overseeing the terms of the German surrender.

Following his tour of duty in Europe, General Barnum commanded the disciplinary barracks at Fort Leavenworth and then assumed command of the 18th Infantry Brigade on February 9, 1923. General Barnum was commissioned a Major General, US Army on June 13, 1927, and retired on September 3, 1927.

General Barnum became a Hereditary Companion of the First Class of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) through the Commandery of the State of California on November 5, 1909, while serving in the Philippines and was assigned Insignia Number 16062. After his retirement General Barnum moved to Brookline, Massachusetts, where he was elected Commander of the Commandery of Massachusetts in 1933 serving until 1937. In October 1939 he was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion succeeding Col. Hugh Means Thompson. General Barnum served as Commander-in-Chief until his death on February 18, 1942.

In addition to the Purple Heart General Barnum was awarded the D.S.M., was a Commander of the Legion of Honor (France), a Commander of the Order of the Bath (Great Britain), a Commander of the Order of Leopold (Belgium). He also received the Croix de Guerre (Belgium) and the Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus (Italy). He was a member of the Naval and Military Order of the Spanish American War, the Sons of the Revolution, and Phi Gamma Delta. He belonged to the Army and Navy Clubs in Washington D.C., Boston, Massachusetts, and Manilla P.I. An avid golfer he was a member of the Sankaty Golf Club.

General Barnum's older brother Morgan King Barnum was a Hereditary Companion of the First Class through the Nebraska and, subsequently, the Illinois Commandery (Insignia No. 10853). General Barnum's grandsons, Edmund M. Barnum (Insignia No. 19334) and Allen T. Barnum (Insignia No. 19681) were Companions of the Massachusetts Commandery. General Malvern Hill Barnum's great nephew, The Ven. Malcolm McGregor Barnum is a Companion of the Connecticut Commandery.

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