Francis Channing Barlow was born on October 19, 1834, in Brooklyn, New York, to David Hatch Barlow and Almira C. Penniman. His father was a Unitarian minister. He grew up and attended school in Brookline, Massachusetts, before enrolling at Harvard College to study law. He graduated first in his class, and by 1861, he was working for the New York Tribune. He married Arabella Wharton Griffith in early 1861. He enlisted in the 12^th New York State Militia in April 1861, and he was promoted to 1^st lieutenant a month later. The regiment mustered out that summer when their three-month term of enlistment expired. In November 1861, he received a commission as a lieutenant colonel in the 61st New York Infantry, and he received a promotion to colonel soon afterward.

 

Barlow fought in the Battle of Seven Pines, the Seven Days Battles, and the Battle of Antietam. He was wounded in the face and groin during the Battle of Antietam, but he returned to the army by April 1863. He was promoted to brigadier general for his gallantry at Antietam. During the Battle of Gettysburg, he was severely wounded and left for dead. He rejoined the army in April 1864, and he took part in the Overland Campaign, the siege of Petersburg, and the Appomattox campaign. He was promoted to major general in May 1865, and he mustered out on November 16, 1865.

 

His wife Arabella died of typhus in July 1864 while serving as an army nurse. On October 24, 1867, he married Ellen Shaw, the sister of Robert Gould Shaw. They had at least two children: Robert Shaw, born around 1869; and Charles Lowell, born around 1871. Barlow settled in New York after the war and became active in Republican politics. He served as New York Secretary of State and New York Attorney General. He eventually retired from politics and resumed his private legal practice. He died of Bright’s disease in New York City on January 11, 1896.

 

Image: Francis Channing Barlow (courtesy Wikicommons)

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