History of Houlton, (Aroostook County) Maine United States of America

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Henry Clay Merriam, soldier, was born in Houlton, Maine, Nov. 13, 1837; son of Lewis and Mary (Foss) Merriam, and a descendant in the eighth generation from Joseph Merriam, the immigrant, 1636. He attended Houlton academy, and was graduated from Colby college, A.B., 1864, A.M., 1867. He left the college, Aug. 9, 1862, to accept the captaincy of a company in the 20th Maine volunteers, and resigned, Jan. 7, 1863, to organize colored troops in Louisiana, and was commissioned captain in the 80th U.S. colored infantry, March 11, 1863; serving with them at the assault on Port Hudson, La., May 27, 1863. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 85th U.S. colored infantry, May 21, 1864; was transferred to the 73d U.S. colored infantry, June 3, 1864, and led the regiment (originally 1st Louisiana native guards) over Fort Blakely, Ala., April 9, 1865, at his own request and in advance of all other troops, for which action he received the congressional medal of honor. He was brevetted colonel of volunteers, March 26, 1865, for services against Mobile and its defences, and was honorably mustered out of the volunteer service, Oct. 24, 1865. In the regular service he was commissioned major of the 38th U.S. infantry, July 28, 1866; was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, March 2, 1867, for Antietam, and colonel the same day for Fort Blakeley, Ala.; was transferred to the 24th U.S. infantry, March 15, 1869, and was promoted lieutenant-colonel and assigned to the 2d U.S. infantry, June 10, 1876; colonel of the 7th U.S. infantry, July 10, 1885, and brigadier-general, June 30, 1897. He re-entered the volunteer service as major-general of volunteers, May 4, 1898, and commanded the Departments of California and Columbia, which comprised the entire Pacific coast, including Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands during the Spanish and Philippine wars. He was honorably discharged from the volunteer service, Feb. 24, 1899, and was given command of the departments of the Colorado and the Missouri. He was placed on the retired list Nov. 13, 1901. He was married, Jan. 16, 1866, to Lucy J. Gotchell, who died, April 24, 1870; and secondly, June 4, 1874, to Una Macpherson. His son, Henry Macpherson Merriam, born Oct. 12, 1877, at Houlton, Maine, was appointed from Leland Stanford Jr. university, July 9, 1898, 2d lieutenant, 3d U.S. artillery, serving on Gen. Charles King's staff in the Philippines and with his battery in China, 1900. He was promoted 1st lieutenant Feb. 2, 1901, after which he served with his battery in the Philippines. General Merriam is the author of several essays on military subjects.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Houlton, (Aroostook County) Maine

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