Near Indianola in Calhoun County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Sgt. William Henry Barnes

38th Regiment, USCT

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

1. Sgt. William Henry Barnes Marker

Inscription. On March 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed an Act calling for all able-bodied men to join the National Forces. William Barnes joined the Union Army the following February. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and six months later was wounded in the Battle of New Market Heights on September 29-30, 1864. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his efforts. In July of 1865, Barnes was stationed along the Texas border and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Barnes, assigned to the U.S. Colored Troops, was vital to the protection of the Texas government and its coastal and southern border. Barnes died of consumption in December 1866. He was buried at Indianola and then reinterred in San Antonio National Cemetery.

Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17139.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 3, 1863.

Location. 28° 31.155′ N, 96° 30.543′ W. Marker is near Indianola, Texas, in Calhoun County. It is on Orleans Avenue 0.2 miles north of Comal Street. The marker is located at the front entrance to the Indianola Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 154 Orleans Avenue, Port Lavaca TX 77979, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Indianola Cemetery (a few steps from this

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marker); Rene Robert Cavelier Sieur de la Salle (approx. 0.6 miles away); Louis Antoine Andry (approx. 0.6 miles away); Indianola (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Chihuahua Road (approx. ¾ mile away); Site of the Town of Indianola (approx. ¾ mile away); Calhoun County Courthouse (approx. ¾ mile away); The Great Camel Experiment (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianola.

Also see . . . William H. Barnes (Medal of Honor).

At the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, on September 29, 1864, Barnes' regiment was among a division of black troops assigned to attack the center of the Confederate defenses at New Market Heights. The defenses consisted of two lines of abatis and one line of palisades manned by Brigadier General John Gregg's Texas Brigade. The attack was met with intense Confederate fire; over fifty percent of the black troops were killed, captured, or wounded. Barnes was awarded the Medal of Honor for being "among the first to enter the enemy's works; although wounded." His medal was issued six months after the battle, on April 6, 1865, and he was promoted to Sergeant another three months later,
Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

2. The Sgt. William Henry Barnes Marker at the entrance to the cemetery.
on July 1, 1865. Source: Wikipedia

(Submitted on September 27, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Sgt. William Henry Barnes Marker is on the right at the front of the cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

3. The Sgt. William Henry Barnes Marker is on the right at the front of the cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 626 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 27, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.