Eliakim Sherrill
Eliakim Sherrill (February 16, 1813 – July 4, 1863) was an antebellum United States Congressman from the state of New York and a brigade commander in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was mortally wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg defending against Pickett's Charge.
Eliakim Sherrill | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 10th district | |
| In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Gordon |
| Succeeded by | Herman D. Gould |
| Member of the New York Senate from the 10th district | |
| In office 1854–1855 | |
| Preceded by | George T. Pierce |
| Succeeded by | George S. Nichols |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 16, 1813 Greenville, New York, US |
| Died | July 4, 1863 (aged 50) Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, US |
| Resting place | Washington Street Cemetery 42°51′44″N 76°59′27″W |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations | Whig |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States (Union) |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1863 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | 126th New York Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | |
Early life
Sherrill was born in Greenville, New York,[1][2] where he attended the public schools. He moved to Herkimer County in 1832. He married Emily Eldridge, a daughter of Judge Eldridge of Madison County. The couple moved to Shandaken in 1838, where Sherrill owned a tannery. He entered local politics, holding several political offices. He served as a major in the State Militia.
He was elected as a Whig to the 30th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1849. He was a member of the New York State Senate (10th D.) in 1854 and 1855. Three years later, he moved to Brooklyn, then in 1860 to Geneva, where he had a farm.
Civil War
During the Civil War, he organized the 126th New York Infantry in August 1862 and became its first colonel. His regiment was among the troops defending Harpers Ferry against Joseph B. Kershaw's Confederate brigade of Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws's division during the Maryland Campaign. He was severely wounded with a gunshot through his lower jaw in fighting on Maryland Heights during the Battle of Harpers Ferry. Sherrill was captured and later paroled. The wound never healed, but he temporarily rejoined his regiment at Union Mills, Virginia, in October 1862. After a furlough for further recuperation, he returned for duty on January 27, 1863.
He commanded the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, II Corps, after Col. George L. Willard's death on July 2, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg. Sherrill, in his first full day commanding the brigade, was positioned near Ziegler's Grove on Cemetery Ridge, when he was mortally wounded on July 3 by a musket shot in the bowels. Carried off the field by men of the 39th New York Infantry, he was taken to the XI Corps field hospital, where he died about 8:00 a.m. the next day. His body was sent by the regimental surgeon to Baltimore for embalming. Lt. Col. James M. Bull, 126th New York Infantry, who filed the brigade's report, giving a detailed account of the artillery barrage on July 3 but not much on the repulse of Pickett's Charge, places Sherrill's death at 4 p.m.[3]
His granddaughter, Carrie Babcock Sherman, was Second Lady of the United States, 1909-1912.
See also
- Mount Sherrill, one of the Catskill High Peaks, named in his memory
Notes
- "LibGuides: Local History: Local History: Home".
- "126th Infantry Regiment :: New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center". museum.dmna.ny.gov. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- Civil War home.
References
- United States Congress. "Eliakim Sherrill (id: S000351)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-02-15
- Morrisville Library
- New York State Military Museum