Henry Klein
Encyclopedia
Henry Klein was a Union Army
soldier during the American Civil War
and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor
, for his actions at the Battle of Sayler's Creek
.
Born in Germany
, Klein immigrated to the United States in 1853. He settled in Syracuse, New York
, and worked in the clothing business.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted as a private
in the 101st Regiment and later served in Company E of the 40th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
. Klein's brother, Philip, also served in the war, with the 149th New York Infantry
. At some point during his military service Henry Klein was captured and held as a prisoner of war
by the Confederates
, although the details of this event are unknown. In one battle, after General Gustavus Sniper was wounded, Klein caught the general's horse and helped him dismount. At the Battle of Sayler's Creek, Virginia
, on April 6, 1865, his company was ordered to attack a Confederate position. Under heavy canister
and musket
fire, Klein rushed ahead of the attack, grabbed a Confederate banner from the flag bearer's hands, and returned safely back to Union lines. For this act, he was commended and granted a furlough
.
On his way home to Syracuse, Klein stopped in Washington, D.C.
, for a few days. While he was in the city, President Abraham Lincoln
was assassinated
. Klein stood guard outside the house next to Ford's Theatre
where Lincoln lay dying, and after the President's death he viewed the body as it lay in state at the White House
.
One month after Lincoln's assassination, on May 10, 1865, Klein was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Sayler's Creek. The official citation, which was mistakenly recorded under the name "Harry Kline", reads simply "Capture of battle flag." Klein was promoted to corporal before leaving the Army, and then returned to Syracuse where he resumed working in the clothing business. He was a Republican
and was active in veterans' affairs. Klein died at age 60 and was buried in Syracuse's Woodlawn Cemetery, on the same lot as his Civil War commander, General Gustavus Sniper.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
soldier during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, for his actions at the Battle of Sayler's Creek
Battle of Sayler's Creek
-External links:* * : Maps, histories, photos, and preservation news...
.
Born in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Klein immigrated to the United States in 1853. He settled in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, and worked in the clothing business.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the 101st Regiment and later served in Company E of the 40th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
40th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 40th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also known as the "Mozart Regiment" or the "Constitution Guard", was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
. Klein's brother, Philip, also served in the war, with the 149th New York Infantry
149th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 149th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 149th New York Infantry was organized at Syracuse, N.Y., and mustered in September 18, 1862.-Campaigns:...
. At some point during his military service Henry Klein was captured and held as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
by the Confederates
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
, although the details of this event are unknown. In one battle, after General Gustavus Sniper was wounded, Klein caught the general's horse and helped him dismount. At the Battle of Sayler's Creek, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, on April 6, 1865, his company was ordered to attack a Confederate position. Under heavy canister
Canister shot
Canister shot is a kind of anti-personnel ammunition used in cannons. It was similar to the naval grapeshot, but fired smaller and more numerous balls, which did not have to punch through the wooden hull of a ship...
and musket
Musket
A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....
fire, Klein rushed ahead of the attack, grabbed a Confederate banner from the flag bearer's hands, and returned safely back to Union lines. For this act, he was commended and granted a furlough
Furlough
In the United States a furlough is a temporary unpaid leave of some employees due to special needs of a company, which may be due to economic conditions at the specific employer or in the economy as a whole...
.
On his way home to Syracuse, Klein stopped in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, for a few days. While he was in the city, President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
was assassinated
Abraham Lincoln assassination
The assassination of United States President Abraham Lincoln took place on Good Friday, April 14, 1865, as the American Civil War was drawing to a close. The assassination occurred five days after the commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee, and his battered Army of...
. Klein stood guard outside the house next to Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre is a historic theater in Washington, D.C., used for various stage performances beginning in the 1860s. It is also the site of the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865...
where Lincoln lay dying, and after the President's death he viewed the body as it lay in state at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
.
One month after Lincoln's assassination, on May 10, 1865, Klein was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Sayler's Creek. The official citation, which was mistakenly recorded under the name "Harry Kline", reads simply "Capture of battle flag." Klein was promoted to corporal before leaving the Army, and then returned to Syracuse where he resumed working in the clothing business. He was a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and was active in veterans' affairs. Klein died at age 60 and was buried in Syracuse's Woodlawn Cemetery, on the same lot as his Civil War commander, General Gustavus Sniper.