The Biographical Dictionary of America/Barlow, Francis Channing

​BARLOW, Francis Channing, soldier, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Oct. 19, 1834. He received a liberal education, and was graduated at Harvard in 1855, at the head of his class. He studied law in New York city, meanwhile becoming an editorial writer for the New York Tribune. When the civil war broke out, he enlisted as a private in the 12th regiment N.Y.S.M., which was among the first to report for the defence of Washington. His regiment was mustered in for three months, by the end of which time he ranked as lieutenant. On receiving his discharge he joined the 61st N.Y. volunteer regiment as lieutenant-colonel. During the siege of Yorktown he was promoted colonel. At the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862, he so distinguished himself as to win the commission of brigadier-general, receiving his commission Sept. 19, 1862. He was severely wounded at the battle of Antietam, after his command had captured two sets of Confederate colors and three hundred prisoners. He recovered from his wound in time to take part in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 2. 1863, where he commanded a brigade in the 11th army corps. He was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, his name being among the first in the lists of the leaders reported by the Confederates as killed. Following Gettysburg came an exchange, a long waiting for recovery and participation in the campaign of the Wilderness and the movements "by the left flank" of the army of the Potomac, through Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and across the James to Petersburg. At Spottsylvania General Barlow, commanding the 1st division, 2d corps, under General Hancock, stormed the Confederate works, captured three thousand prisoners, including Generals Ed. Johnson and G.H. Steuart. He was at Petersburg when the siege was raised, and at the final surrender of General Lee and his army. Soon after the close of the war he was mustered out of the United States volunteer service and took up his residence in New York. He was elected secretary of state for New York, serving from 1865 to 1868. He then served as United States marshal by appointment of General Grant until October, 1869. He was elected attorney-general of New York in 1872, and afterwards resumed the practice of law in New York city. General Barlow married Arabella Griffith. Mrs Barlow was agent for the sanitary commission in the field during the civil war, and died, from disease contracted in the performance of her self-imposed duties, July 27, 1864. A window in Memorial hall, Harvard college, is dedicated to Phillips Brooks and his classmate, Francis Channing Barlow. He died in New York city Jan. 11, 1896.