History of Huntington, (Chittenden County) Vermont United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Huntington, (Chittenden County) Vermont, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Emerson Hamilton Liscum, soldier, was born in Huntington, Vt., July 16, 1841; son of John and Phebe (Hamilton) Liscum; grandson of Peletiah and Sally (Campbell) Liscum, and a descendant of Captain John and Rachel (Day) Liscum of Gloucester, Mass. Captain John Liscum was born at Gloucester, April 16, 1720; son of Peletiah and Ann (Bradley) Liscum. The family removed to Burlington, where he attended school and became a corporal in the "Howard Guards." On May 2, 1861, he was mustered for three months service in the 1st Vermont infantry, and was discharged Aug. 15, 1861. He enlisted soon after in the 12th U.S. infantry and was promoted 2d lieutenant, Feb. 19, 1863; 1st lieutenant, May 4, 1863; captain 25th infantry, July 28th, 1866; major 22d infantry, May 4, 1892; lieutenant-colonel 24th infantry, May 23, 1896, and colonel of the 9th infantry, April 25, 1899. His battles in the civil war included Big Bethel, Va., June 10, 1861; Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 1862, where he was wounded; Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3, 1863, where he was severely wounded; Bethesda church, Va., May 30, 1864, and the campaign before Richmond for which he was brevetted captain, Aug. 1, 1864. He married May daughter of Gen. A. S. Diven, and Amanda (Beers) Diven of Ehoira, N.Y. He was made a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States in 1891. In the war with Spain he was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers, July 12, 1898, and was honorably discharged, Dec. 13, 1898, after service in Cuba in the 3d brigade, 1st division, 5th corps, his services including the battle of San Juan Hill, July 1, 1898, where he commanded the brigade, led a bayonet charge and was wounded and sent home, but returned to duty in nine months for service in the Philippines in command of the 9th infantry. On July 12, 1899, he was appointed brigadier-general of U.S. volunteers and was assigned to the command of the 1st brigade, 2d division, 8th corps, at Luzon from July 15, 1899, relieving General Funston, and again from Jan. 15, 1900, relieving General Wheeler. When the troops were ordered to China in June, 1900, Colonel Liscum's regiment, 1850 strong, was selected, left Manila June 27, 1900, and reached Taku July 9, and the next day set out for Tientsin, reaching the walls of the city on July 13. Colonel Liscum had just seized the colors as they dropped from the hands of a wounded color sergeant, when he was shot. His last words were: "Keep up a hot fire into the loop-holed buildings?Do not retreat." He died at Tientsin, China, July 13, 1900.

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

History of Huntington, (Chittenden County) Vermont

Biographies: