Barckley, Michael Henry

Knox during the Civil War

from Carnival of Blood

Michael Barckley Post, Grand Army of the Republic, in Altamont is named in his honor.
Photo by permission of Morrisville State College Library, Morrisville, NY
More Info

Birth

Michael Barckley was born November 15, 1840 in Knox, Albany County, N.Y, the son of Henry Barckley and his wife Magdalene Livingston. He had a younger brother Edward Barckley. His paternal family, which had German origins, had settled in Guilderland several generations previously.

Education

Michael was always a serious student who had a great love of books. He attended the local public schools in Knox. Michael entered Union College in 1861, graduating with honors in July 1862.

Occupation

Michael was working as a clerk at the time of his enlistment.

Marriage

Michael did not marry.

Life

Michael was raised on a farm in Knox, where his father Henry worked as a farmer and merchant. His father was active in local affairs holding the various positions including that of postmaster. As a result, Michael grew up in a well to do family that allowed him time for studies, but also stressed the importance of civic responsibility. He attended the Reformed Dutch Church in Knox.

Military Service

His records can also be found under Michael J. Barckley and Michael H. Barclay.

Residence:	Knox
Place of Birth:	Knox, NY
Date of Birth:	18 May 1843
Names of Parents:	Henry (Barckley) and Magdalena Livingston
Marital Status:	Single
Occupation:	Clerk
Term of Enlistment:	3 years
Bounty Received:	$100.00
Enlistment Date:	15 Aug 1862
Enlistment Place:	Albany, N.Y. or Knox, NY
Enlistment Rank:	First Lieutenant
State Served:	New York
Original Regiment:	113th N.Y. V. I.
Company:	Company K
Regiment renamed Dec. 1862:	7th Regiment NY Heavy Artillery.
Company:	Company K
Promotion Rank:	Commissioned First Lieutenant
Promotion Date:	8 Sept 1862 with rank from 14 Aug 1862
Wounded in Action at:	Cold Harbor, VA
Wounded on:	5 June 1864
Death Date:	Died 6 July 1864
Death Place:	Died from amputation of right leg at Carver US Hospital in Washington, DC with his mother at his side.

Additional Remarks: "After being in service nearly two years was wounded in right leg so that amputation was necessary from which he died Remains buried in Knox Cemetery."

Additional Sources Used: Annual Report of the Adjutant-General for the State of NY for the year 1898; Keating, Robert, Carnival of Blood: The Civil War Ordeal of the Seventh New York Heavy Artillery, Published by Butternut and Blue, Baltimore, Md 1998; Clark, Rufus Wheelwright, "Heroes of Albany; A memorial of the Patriot-martyrs of the City and County", 1867

Military Experience

Michael was well thought by his neighbors in Knox so that when he decided to serve in the Civil War, 21 other men from the area joined him. As a result of his college degree and these enlistments, he was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company K. The Reverend E. E. Taylor of Knox on behalf of the people of Knox presented Michael with a sword, sash, belt and pistol.

Death

Michael Henry Barckley - Union officer (1840–1864) who served with the 113th New York Volunteers. He was wounded at Cold Harbor on June 5, 1865, and died the next day during amputation of his leg. Image from RR Auction. Added by: Larry Chenault

Lieutenant Michael Barckley died a of shell wound to his right knee received 4 June 1864 at Cold Harbor. He died on 6 July 1864, with his mother Magdalene at his side as a result of amputation at the hospital in Washington DC. His funeral services were held in Knox at the Reformed Dutch Church on Sunday July 10, 1864 with Reverends William P. Davis and E. Vedder officiating.

Lieut Michael Henry Barckley Birth: Nov. 15, 1840 Death: Jul. 6, 1864, District Of Columbia, USA He died on July 6, 1864 at Washington, DC from wounds sustained at Cold Harbor.He was a Civil War soldier. Burial: Knox Cemetery, Knox. Albany County, New York, USA Created by: KBrownst Record added: Jul 31, 2010 Find A Grave Memorial# 55700483

Burial

Lt. M. H. Barckley is buried in Knox Cemetery.

Gallery of Barckley Grave Photos

Additional Research Notes

"Originally enrolled as the 113th New York Infantry Regiment when mustered into service on August 18, 1862, the unit was converted into the Seventh New York Heavy Artillery in December, 1862. An additional two companies were added, bringing the Seventh Heavy to twelve companies." His remains were buried at the Knox Reformed Cemetery.

• 113th Regiment or NY 7th Heavy Artillery Company K - Soldiers recruited by Michael Henry Barckley

Additional Media

Historical Documents

Knox - Barckley - Portrait - lithographed by Murray & Goodwin, Albany, NY 1865.
More info

The Knox Historical Society has many historical documents related to Barckley at the Saddlemire Homestead in Knox, including original letters and military papers. Many are difficult to read, and transcriptions are open to discussion.

September 23, ???? - Letter to M. H. from G. H. Q. June 11, 1861 - Letter from Geo. H. Quay to Michael Henry Barckley April 22, 1861 - Letter from Andrew to Friend July 18, 1862 - Authorization to enroll volunteers August 22, 1862 - Letter from Michael Henry Barckley to his Father 1862 - 1864 - Company Muster Rolls March 9, 1863 - Letter from Michael Henry Barckley to his Mother March 24, 1863 - Letter from Michael Henry Barckley to his Father May 3, 1963 - Letter from William J. Smith to Edward May 28, 1863 - Letter from Michael Henry Barckley to his Mother July 9, 1863 - Letter from Michael Henry Barckley to his Father September 28, 1863 - Letter from Michael Barckley to his Father

June 6, 1864? - Letter from Edward to Michael Barckley June 8, 1864 - Letter from Michael Henry Barckley to his Father June 15, 1864 - Letter from Johnson to his brother June 25, 1864 - Letter from mother to husband June 30, 1864 - Bill for Hospital Stay July 6, 1864 - Record of Death and Interment August 2, 1880 - Casualty Sheet July 7, 1864 - Bill for Hospital Stay April 22, 1886 - Casualty Sheet May 28, 1866 - Letter from Charles M. Niles to H. Barcklay

Additional Documents

Sword

Michael Henry Barckley's sword is on display at the Saddlemire Homestead in the center of Knox beside the Fire House and in front of the Knox Town Hall. Thanks to Allan Dietz for reminding us.

Gallery of Sword Photos

War Record of Famous Albany Regiment of 1862

Huested, Alfred B. War record of famous Albany Regiment of 1862 : History that was read by Dr. A. B. Huested at the reunion of 100 survivors on the occasion of the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the old 113th Regiment, later known as the Seventh Heavy Artillery. 1912. from http://dmna.state.ny.us/

War Record of Famous Albany Regiment of 1862 - Text

Warner's Diaries

Barckley is mentioned in Diaries of George H. Warner

History of the County of Albany

History of the County of Albany, by Howell and Tenny, has the following:<br.> Lieutenant Michael H. Barckley, born Knox, November 15, 1840; graduated Union College, 1862. Raised a Company in Knox and was commissioned First Lieutenant Company K, 113th Regiment. He went with his regiment through all its engagements. Was wounded at Cold Harbor, and died July 6, 1864.

Carnival of Blood

The following excerpt is from Carnival of Blood, by Richard Keating:

Page 3

In the rural hamlet of Knox, in farm country ten miles west of Albany, young Michael Barckley gained a commission as first lieutenant in Company K, primarily because he was a recent college graduate, but he had also managed to convince twenty-one men from the small community to enlist in the Regiment. His recruiting efforts were then a cause for admiration and celebration, during the patriotic euphoria which gripped the Northern States in the summer of 1862. Three years later, Barckley and sixteen of the twenty-one were dead, and the mood would be far different."

Page 154-6

Another popular officer was struck down that day. Nearly two years earlier, when he had been mustered in as a First Lieutenant in Company K, Michael Henry Barkley had been presented with a sword and sash, and a belt and pistol, given to him by the citizens of his small home town of Knox, in rural Albany County. At the ceremony , he had been reminded that the Bible "cursed [him] who keepeth back his sword from blood." And then they had sent him off to war, with a prayer that invoked God, not only to protect him, but also to grant him an honorable death and a heavenly salvation: " May God sustain you in your trials, give you a valiant heart, shield you from evil, and return you and your comrades to us again in peace. If it may be, or if it must be, that you fall, be yours an honored grave,...by and by to enjoy the bliss of heaven."

In accepting the gifts, the Union College graduate promised "...to hold them sacred, to use them where duty calls, and never return them dishonored." Keeping his word, his sword had been blooded during the assault, and on that Sunday morning, when a Rebel shell fragment ripped through his right leg just above his knee, his trial was indeed about to lead to an honored grave. In an effort to save his life, his leg was amputated above the knee that same day. Three days later, while waiting to be put aboard a hospital transport, he wrote to his father, explaining the situation, and urging him not to worry: "Do not be alarmed, as I am getting along first rate." But Barckley was destined to die in a Washington hospital on the evening of July 6. Just before his death, he remarked to his mother, "I could not die in a better cause."

At his funeral in the Knox Dutch Reformed Church four days later, his sword lay amongst flowers strewn upon his flag-bedecked coffin. His pastor described the ceremony: "Citizens from every direction flocked to the house in mourning until the church was filled to its unmost capacity, the vestibule crowded, and the grounds in front filled by a multitude from far and near.... After the ceremony, the assembly followed his remains, in slow and solemn procession, to the new cemetery and on a most beautiful spot, overlooking the place that gave him birth,.... was deposited the lifeless form of the once loved and noble youth...."

Union College Alumni in the Civil War

Union College Alumni in the Civil War 1861-1865 by Union University, Schenectady, NY, Published 1915 page 91

"1862 Michael Barckley A.B. 1st Lieut. 7th NY Heavy Artillery, Killed at Cold Harbor, Va June 5, 1864"

Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs

Reynolds, Cuyler, Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, NY 1911 page 1605-6

"Michael, born in Knox in 1840, educated in the public schools, and grew to manhood on his father's farm; when the civil war broke out he was active in raising a company and went to the front as lieutenant of Company K, Seventh New York Heavy Artillery; at the battle of Cold Harbor he was wounded by a bursting shell, taken to a military hospital at Washington, D.C. where he died from the effects of his wound, 1864; he was unmarried his memory is preserved in Altamont where Michael Barckley Post, Grand Army of the Republic, is named in his honor."

Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs - Complete Text

Additional Research Notes

Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War

New York, Town Clerks' Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War, ca 1861-1865 about Michael Henry Barckley
Name: Michael Henry Barckley
Birth Date: 15 Nov 1840
Birth Place: Knox, Albany Co, New York
Father: Henry Barckley
Mother: Magdalen Levingston
Residence Place: Knox
Enlistment Date: 26 Jul 1862
Enlistment Location: Knox, Albany, New York
Regiment: 7th Regiment
Company: K
Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Race: White

|1860 United States Federal Census about Michael Barckley
Name: Michael Barckley
Age in 1860: 19
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1860: Knox, Albany, New York
Gender: Male
Post Office: Knox
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Henry Barckley 44
Magdalene Barckley 42
Michael Barckley 19
Edward Barckley 17
|}

New York, Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, 1861-1900

• New York, Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, 1861-1900

Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York

7th NY Heavy Artillery

BARCLAY, MICHAEL H. — Age, 22 years. Enrolled August 15, 1862, at Albany; mustered in as first lieutenant, Co. K , Seventh Artillery (originally One Hundred and Thirteenth Infantry), August 18,1862, to serve three years; wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June 5, 1864; died, July 6, 1864, from amputation of right leg, at Carver Hospital, D. C.; commissioned first lieutenant, September 8, 1862, with rank from August 14, 1862, original.

(Note the misspelling of his name in this official report.)

History of the County of Albany - Tenney and Howell

Knox: Michael H. Barckley, born in the town of Knox, graduated at Union College, raised a company in his town, was wounded at Cold Harbor and died July 6, 1864.

Landmarks of Albany County - Complete Text

Heroes of Albany

• Heroes of Albany - Michael Henry Barckley

Heroes of Albany - Complete Text - more details for Lt. Barckley

Carnival of Blood

BARCKLEY, MICHAEL H. - Born: Knox, NY. Age:22. Occupation: clerk. Enrolled, August 15, 1862, as first lieutenant in Co. K; wounded in the right knee by a shell fragment, June 5, 1864, at Cold Harbor; died, July 6, 1864, from amputation, in hospital at Washington, DC. Buried in Knox Reformed Cemetery.

Census Records

1850 United States Federal Census about Michael Barckley Name: Michael Barckley Age: 10 Birth Year: abt 1840 Birthplace: New York Home in 1850: Knox, Albany, New York Gender: Male Family Number: 368 Household Members: Name Age Henry Barckley 34 Magdalane Barckley 32 Michael Barckley 10 Edward Barckley 8 James White 24 New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center 7th Regiment Artillery (Heavy), NY Volunteers Civil War Newspaper Clippings from http://dmna.state.ny.us/ Of the hundreds of articles, this is the one that describes the battle in which Barckley was wounded. Michael Henry Barckley - Letters From the Seventh Artillery - June 5, 1864 Altamont Enterprise Article - July 21, 2011 The article below appeared in the Altamont Enterprise on July 21, 2011. It tells the life history of Lt. Barckley. For the text version, click here. Altamont Enterprise Article - Page 1 - July 21, 2011 Altamont Enterprise Article - Page 2 - July 21, 2011 Sources