The New Student's Reference Work/Slocum, Henry W.

Slo′cum, Henry W., American general, was born on September 24, 1827, at Delphi, Onondaga County, N. Y. He graduated from West Point in 1852 and was assigned to the 1st artillery, with the rank of second lieutenant. After promotion to first lieutenant in 1855, he resigned in 1856, practiced law at Syracuse, and was elected to the legislature in 1860. On the outbreak of the Civil War he was commissioned as colonel of the 27th New York volunteers and took part in the first battle of Bull Run. In August he was made a brigadier-general, taking part in McClellan's peninsular campaign in 1862. He distinguished himself at the battles of Gaines' Mill, Glendale and Malvern Hill and was promoted to major-general of volunteers He fought at second Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam, and as commander of the 12th corps rendered signal service at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Later he was transferred with his corps to the army of the Cumberland, succeeded to the command of the 20th corps, and was the first to enter Atlanta. In Sherman's march to the sea and through the Carolinas he commanded the left wing, taking part in the actions of that campaign. After the war he took up the practice of law at Brooklyn and was elected to Congress in 1870 and 1884. He died at Brooklyn, N. Y. April 14, 1894.