Valentine, Herbert E. (Herbert Eugene), 1841-

Herbert Eugene Valentine (1841-1917) was a private in Company F of the 23rd Massachusetts Volunteers, who served in the United States Army between 1861 and 1864 in eastern Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

From the description of Herbert E. Valentine papers, 1861-1864. WorldCat record id: 26041008

Herbert Eugene Valentine, born in South Danvers (now Peabody) Massachusetts, on 18 January 1841, was the son of Elmer and Mary C. (Walker) Valentine. His father was a schoolmaster. The family moved to Salem where Valentine graduated from the Browne School and the old English High School. He worked for D.W. Bowdoin, a photographer, after graduating from high school.

Valentine enlisted in the United States Army on 5 October 1861, at Salem. On 18 October 1861, he was mustered into Company F, 23rd Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers at Lynfield. Valentine served as a clerk and occasionally drew military maps. His artwork presumably was not produced for official purposes.

Valentine first was sent to Annapolis, Md., and from there he was shipped to the coast of North Carolina, where he took part in the expedition against Roanoke Island. Valentine then was involved in the New Bern campaign and experienced combat in small battles at Whitehall, Kinston, and Southwest Creek, N.C.

By August 1863, Valentine was stationed in New Bern, N.C., where he served as a clerk in General Heckman's First Division Headquarters. Valentine also served briefly at nearby Morehead City, Carolina City, and Beaufort. At some point before 1864, his regiment was at Hilton Head and Saint Helena Island, S.C., and then returned to New Bern.

In September 1863, Valentine went home to Salem on furlough, visiting Jersey City, New York City, and Boston on the way. On his return to duty, he was sent to Newport News, Va., where the 23d Massachusetts had been transferred in his absence. In January 1864, Valentine was serving at Getty's Station near Portsmouth. In May 1864, Valentine's regiment sailed up the James River to City Point and took part in the siege of Petersburg.

Valentine did not re enlist at the expiration of his service and was discharged from the army on 16 October 1864.

Available details of the remainder of Valentine's life are sketchy. He married, had one son and one daughter, and spent the remainder of his life in West Somerville, Mass., occupation unknown, where he died on 17 June 1917. Valentine was active in veterans organizations, and in 1896 he published Story of Company F, 23d Massachusetts Volunteers in the War For The Union 1861-1865.

From the guide to the Herbert E. Valentine Papers, 1862-1892, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)