Barnitz, Albert Trovillo Siders

Albert Trorillo Siders Barnitz was born at Bloody Run, Pennsylvania, the son of Dr. Martin Eichelberger Barnitz and Martha McClintic Barnitz, on March 10, 1835. The family moved to Ohio shortly after his birth. Barnitz briefly attended Kenyon College in 1851 and the Cleveland Law College in 1858-59. During this time Barnitz published a book of poetry, The Mystic Delvings (1857). While at Cleveland Law College, Barnitz married Eva Prouty. She died in childbirth in 1860.

In 1861 Barnitz joined the 13th Ohio Infantry as a three month volunteer. In August 1861 he enlisted in Company G, 2d Ohio Cavalry and was mustered as a sergeant. The 2d Ohio Cavalry spent the next year in Missouri and in June 1862 Barnitz was promoted to second lieutenant. By February 1863 he had advanced to the rank of senior captain.

Barnitz spent 1863 in Tennessee, and during a raid he suffered severe injuries when his horse fell on him. Barnitz was wounded in June 1864 at Ashland Station, Virginia. In autumn he returned to his regiment fighting under the command of George Armstrong Custer in the Shenandoah Valley. By 1865 Barnitz was in command of the 2d Ohio Cavalry. He participated in several battles, culminating in the Battle of Appomattox. In September 1865 he returned to civilian life, but in November 1866 he was commissioned a captain in the U. S. Cavalry. The following year Barnitz married Jennie Platt.

For the next two years Barnitz was stationed at various posts, including Fort Leavenworth, Fort Harker, and Fort Riley, and was involved in Indian campaigns in Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and the Indian Territory. During the Battle of the Washita River Barnitz was wounded. The severity of the wound forced his retirement in November 1870. He was, however, awarded the rank of brevet colonel for "distinguished gallantry."

Barnitz returned to Cleveland with Jennie and daughter Bertha. The couple had two more daughters; Maidie, born on October 23, 1871, and Blanche, born on December 16, 1874. Barnitz continued his study of law, became involved in Republican politics, and was a frequent speaker at military reunions. By the late 1870's the family began to travel extensively, and Barnitz wrote travelogues for the Cleveland Morning Herald and the Daily Leader . Barnitz continued to travel until his death at Asbury Park, New Jersey on July 18, 1912.

For additional biographical information, see Life in Custer's Cavalry, (1978) by Robert M. Utley.

Albert T. S. Barnitz (1835-1912)-m.1 1857 Eva Prouty ( -1860)

---------------------------------m.2 1867 Jennie Platt (1841?-1927)

-----Bertha Barnitz (1870-1960)-m. 1892 Bernard Abert Byrne

-----Maidie Barnitz (1871-1909?)

-----Blanche Barnitz (1874-)-m. 1896 Hobart Stocking

From the guide to the Albert Barnitz papers, 1852-1978, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)