Lexington Park in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Private William H. Barnes
Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private, Company C, 38th U.S. Colored Troops. Place and date: At New Market Heights, VA., 29 September 1864. Birth: St. Mary's County, MD. Date of issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Among the first to enter the enemy's works; although wounded.
William H. Barnes, a Private in Company C., 38th U.S. Colored Troops, according to official records was, "among the first to enter the enemy's works, although wounded, and has a medal for his gallantry." The medal was presented on April 6, 1865. Barnes was born in St. Mary's County in 1830 o 1831 and enlisted in the U.S. Colored Troops in Ridge, Maryland, on February 11, 1864. He is described in the Records as "A 33-year-old farmer when he enlisted in the U.S. Army, he stood 5'11 tall." Barnes was promoted to sergeant in January 1865, but never left the service alive. He died of tuberculosis at Indianola, Texas, on Christmas Eve 1866 and is buried there.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1865.
Location. 38° 15.655′ N, 76° 26.956′ W. Memorial
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Regionally, this memorial is in Southern Maryland. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: United States Colored Troops (USCT) (here, next to this marker); Sergeant James H. Harris (here, next to this marker); United States Colored Troops (a few steps from this marker); Defining Freedom and Building Community (a few steps from this marker); A "War to end all Wars" (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Worlds / One County (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Depression and New Opportunities (within shouting distance of this marker); Lexington Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 12, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
