HERBERT C. BALDWIN
BEACON FALLS: Farmer
Herbert C. Baldwin was born in Oxford, in this state, Sept. 3, 1840. He was one of four sons of Lucian Baldwin, and grandson of Matthew Baldwin, of what was formerly called Salem, now Naugatuck. His educational accomplishments were derived mainly from the district school. At the age of fifteen his father died, throwing the young man upon his own resources. He hired out upon a farm and for several years was occupied in working summers and attending school winters. At the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted in Company K, Thirteenth regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Henry W. Birge. This regiment was included in the great New England division for the extreme south, under Major-General B. F. Butler, and was sent by sea to Ship Island in the Gulf, where the expedition was fitted out against New Orleans. He served in the department of the Gulf until July, 1864, participating in the Bayou Lafourche campaign, Teche, siege of Port Hudson, and Red River campaigns. He was one of those who volunteered under general order No. 49, dated before Port Hudson, La., June 15, 1863, the day after the general advance had been made, to carry the rebel works, in which the Union forces suffered defeat. The language of the order, after congratulating the troops upon the steady advance made upon the enemy’s works, conveyed the "commanding general’s summons to the bold men of the corps, to the organization of a storming column of a thousand men, to vindicate the flag of the Union and the memory of its defenders who have fallen," and promised a just recognition of their services by a medal of honor "fit to commemorate the first grand success for the freedom of the Mississippi." This promise has never been fulfilled by the government. In 1864 that portion of the army, the 19th corps, was transferred north into Virginia, under General P. H. Sheridan, and took part in the general clearing-out of the Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Baldwin was wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864; the following December his regiment was transferred with his division to Savannah, Ga., where they met Sherman’s army and remained with them through the Carolinas until the final surrender. Mr. Baldwin was in active service for four years and six months, being present with his command in every battle and skirmish in which the regiment took part, serving as private and through the succeeding grades to that of second lieutenant, and being brevetted for gallant and meritorious services. After the war closed Mr. Baldwin bought the farm in Beacon Falls, on which he still resides. He married Josephine H. Jones of Central New York, and settled down to farming. They have five children, four sons and one daughter. He has been called to fill most of the local offices of his town, has been elected selectman seventeen years, during sixteen of which he was chairman of the board. At present he is first selectman and town agent, justice of the peace, secretary of the board of education, and representative of his town in the general court. He has previously represented the town in the house during the sessions of 1876, 1880, 1883, and 1884. He has always been a republican, and a zealous worker for the principles which that party represents. His health is greatly impaired, and he feels that he should be relieved from any further public service.
Source: Illustrated Popular Biography of Connecticut - 1891, Compiled and Published by J. A. Spalding, Hartford Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company, 1891
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