JOHN BARNARD
pp. 56-57

John Barnard was born in Charlemont, Franklin county, Mass., August 19, 1843, son of Allen Barnard, a mechanic of that town. A brother of our subject was a resident of Ithaca, and in 1853 John came here to make his home. He was educated in the Ithaca schools, and learned the tailor's trade. At the outbreak of the war he was seized with a patriotic ardor to rescue his country, and enlisted August 19, 1862, in the 137th Regiment, N.Y. Volunteers. He was unanimously elected corporal of Company D, and left Binghamton for the seat of war September 27, 1862. December 10 his regiment was ordered to reinforce General Burnside at Fredericksburg, and it was there our hero first came within hearing of the enemy's guns, but his courage was equal to any emergency, and never through the whole course of his military career did he turn his back to the enemy, but always stood up and boldly battled for the right. January 18, 1863, he was detailed by Colonel Ireland as one of the color guards of the regiment. May 1, 2 and 3 he participated in the battle at Chancellorsville, and July 2 and 3 was engaged on the bloody fields of Gettysburg. October 29, 1863, participated in the midnight battle of Wauhatchie. In this engagement one out of every three of the whole number were either killed or wounded, and the colors of the regiment fell into the hands of our gallant Barnard. After this engagement he was detailed color bearer of the regiment, vice Baker wounded. November 24 the regiment was ordered to march flying light, with only one day's ration. This march ended in the famous "Battle above the Clouds," and our bold and daring sergeant here earned the title of "The Hero of Lookout Mountain," which he has ever since born. He was in the battle at Missionary Ridge and at Ringgold, Ga. January 4, 1864 was ordered to Stevenson, Ala., and while here Sergeant Barnard was appointed postmaster, a very responsible position, having the entire charge of the mail for over five thousand troops. This office he held until Sherman's campaign against Atlanta commenced, when he resumed his office in the regiment. He was engaged in the battles of Resaca, New Hop Church, Pine Hill, Kolbe Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and was amount the first troops that entered Atlanta, September 2, 1864. He was in nearly all the engagements of the Georgia and Carolina campaigns, arriving in Goldsboro, N.C., April 1, 1865. He was present at the capture of Raleigh, April 14, and the war having virtually closed, Sergeant Barnard started homeward.

He was engage in fourteen battles besides numerous skirmishes, and while suffering all the dangers, exposures and deprivations of the Georgia and Carolina campaigns, our sergeant was never a day from his regiment, unless detailed for special duty. He made every mile of the whole march on foot, carrying a burden that every soldier knows is enough to break down the constitution of almost any ordinary man. No soldier ever enlisted in the service of his country who is deserving of more honor than Sergeant John Barnard.

After his return to Ithaca, Mr. Barnard resumed his trade, which he has since followed in this city. He has been prominently identified with the Masonic Fraternity for twenty-seven years, joining Fidelity Lodge, in May, 1867. He has passed all of the chairs of the Blue Lodge, nearly all of the Chapter, the same of the Council, and is now Captain General of the Commandery, of which he has been a member twenty-five years. He has always taken an active interest in G. A. R. matters, and was a charter member of Sidney Post No. 41 at its formation. He has held nearly all the offices in the Post, and is now (1894) the commander.