Houlton, Maine
A Northern Maine Town Rich In History and Pride
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It's Easy To Find Us. Just take 95 north and get off on the LAST exit before you come to Canada.
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Maj. Gen. Henry Clay Merriam
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Maj. Gen. Henry Merriam
U.S. Army
Congressional Medal Of Honor
Houlton has cause to remember with pride this distinguished soldier who raised and led a Houlton company of infantry into those historic battles of the War between the States and who is the only Houlton man to win the highest United States military decoration leading the 73rd USCT {Colored Troops} to capture Fort Blakeley, Alabama. The Last Battle Of The Civil War.
Born: Houlton ,Maine, November 13, 1837
Captain, 20th Inf, August 20, 1862 resigned, January 7, 1863: Captain, 80th US Colored Troops, March 11, 1863: Lieutenant Colonel 85th US Colored Troops, May 21, 1865: Honorably mustered out, October 24, 1865: Major 38th US Infantry, July 28, 1866 Lieutenant Colonel, 2nd Infantry, June 10, 1876: Colonel, 7th Infantry, July 10, 1885: Brigadier General, USA, June 30th, 1897: Major General Of Volunteers, May 4, 1894-February 24th, 1899: advanced to Major General and retired, February 19th, 1903.
Breveted Colonel of Volunteers, March 26th, 1865, " for faithful and meritorious service during campaign against Mobile": Lieutenant Colonel, March 2, 1867, for same at Antietam: awarded Medal Of Honor, June 28, 1894, " for conspicuous gallantry at Fort Blakely, April 9, 1865, Service in numerous expeditions against Indians: also in defense of US citizens on both sides of the Rio Grande during revolutionary uprisings, 1873-76: commanded the Dept. of the Colorado, 1900-01. Inventor of the Merriam Infantry Pack.
Died November 18, 1912. Buried in Section 1, Grave 114.
Scene Of Last Battle Of The Civil War
Just 6 hours after the surrender of General Robert E. Lee miles away in Virginia,
the Battle for Fort Blakeley was fought and won on April 9, 1865.
The 73rd commanded by Col. Henry Merriam and located in Gen. Pile's First Brigade received news on the morning of April 9 of the escape of the Confederate Garrison from the Spanish Fort the previous night. Colonel Merriam reported, "the effect upon us was very depressing...To me it appeared that the escape of the Garrison in our front also would be simply disgraceful." Merriam asked his Brigade Commander, General Pile, for permission to capture the enemy's advanced line of works at once instead of waiting for the cover of darkness and having the Blakeley Garrison disappear too. Gen. Pile consented and the 73rd and 86th were the first Regiments to advance the Union lines. So successful were they in attacking the Rebel's outpost that Merriam requested to attack the main works, Gen. Osterhaus refused, saying "I will go and order the White troops up." Merriam appealed to Gen. Pile, "We have already fought the battle, but unless we go over the main works we will not get the credit." Pile answered "You are right, Colonel. When you see Andrew's Division start to advance, charge the main works with your regiment."Colonel Merriam claimed, In his official report my regiment was the first to cross the enemy's works. I have not claimed to have been the first over the works because my colored sergeant was at my elbow and entitled to at least share the honor. The order awarding Col. Merriam the Congressional Medal Of Honor reads " for voluntarily and seccessfully leading his regiment over the works in advance of orders, permission been given at his own request."
