Brigadier General Henry Clay Egbert
 

Harry Clay Egbert was born 3 Jan 1839 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Daniel Egbert and Caroline Matilda Dennis. Egbert joined the Union Army during the American Civil War, being commissioned a First Lieutenant in the 12th U.S. Infantry Regiment on September 23, 1861. With the Army of the Potomac, Egbert participated in the battles of Gaines Mills and Malvern Hills. He was taken prisoner twice, during the battles of Cedar Mountain and Gettysburg, being exchanged once and escaping during Robert E Lee's retreat from Gettysburg. He was wounded in the Battle of Bethesda Church. He was promoted to captain on April 1, 1865. After the Civil War, he remained in the Army and in 1870 was stationed in Independence California. Henry married Ellen Young in 1870. In 1880 he was stationed in Camp Verdi Arizona with his young family.

In the 1900 census, the family were still in Manila Philippine Islands, Military Base. Brigadier General Egbert was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.

Children of Henry Clay Egbert and Ellen Young (1843-1913)

Francis Lawrence Egbert b-1871 in California
Elizabeth Gordon Egbert b-28 Dec 1872 in Washington DC; d-2 June 1952 in Rockbridge Va; br-Arlington National Cemetery; m-Charles Evans Kilbourne
James Young Egbert b-1 Sep 1876 in Washington DC; d-9 Dec 1957 in Los Angeles; br-Los Angeles National Cemetery
Katherine Egbert b-1880 in Camp Verdi Arizona
Adelaide Egbert b-1884 in New York

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Egbert and his family lived in Ft Thomas from 1897-1899 and was a Lieutenant Colonel at the start of the Spanish American War and commanded the 6th US Infantry Regiment from Ft Thomas Ky. in the Santiago campaign until he was wounded in the Battle of El Caney on July 1, 1898. On October 1, 1898 in was made a Brigadier General of US Volunteers and a Veteran Companion of the Military Order of Foreign Wars.

He was sent to the Philippines arriving in Manila on March 4, 1899. During the Battle of Malinta, he was wounded while leading a charge against Filipino forces on March 26 and died the same day. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery along with his wife Ellen Young Egbert.

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Atlanta Journal, GA, Wednesday, 28 April 1897, page 4

Of the twelve men who are to pass upon the guilt or innocence of Major Romeyn, ten are veterans of the civil war. Seven of them have been brevetted for gallant services: Colonel Egbert.

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New York Tribune, NY, Friday, 22 July 1898, page 2

Major A M Corliss of the 7th Infantry; Lieutenant Colonel H C Egbert of the 6th Infantry, sat talking on a bench yesterday morning under guard of two men. The soldiers were comfortable last night. Lieutenant Colonel Henry C Egbert of the 6th Infantry, is earnest in his praise of the kindness shown the men since they reached the hospital.

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Cleveland Leader, Ohio, Monday, 25 July 1898, page 2

New York-July 24-Lieutenant Colonel Henry C Egbert of the Sixth Infantry, was given permission today by Surgeon General Sternberg to leave Bellevue Hospital, where he has been for several days and go to his home at Fort Thomas Ky. Lieutenant Egbert was shot through the body at Santiago, a Mauser bullet completely piercing his chest, entering at the left breast and making its exit under his shoulder blade.

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Salt Lake Herald, UT, Monday, 12 September 1898, page 2

Jacksonville Fla. Sep 11. Colonel Henry Egbert of Davenport, Ia. a veteran of the civil war, who is a member of the commission sent here by the governor of Iowa to examine the condition of the camp and of the men from the Iowa regiments said today; "The locations of the camps are as good as could be found anywhere. The water is the best and abundant. In the hospitals we have found much to please us. When I think of what we endured in the civil war, it makes me sick to hear some of the complaints that have come from men located as are the men of the Seventh corps."

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Denver Post, Thursday, 5 January 1899, page 2

Washington, Jan 5-Colonel Henry C Egbert, now at Fort Thomas, Ky. has been ordered to join his regiment, the Twenty-second United States Infantry at Fort Crook, Neb.

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Buffalo News NY, Wednesday, 1 February 1899, page 6

The 22nd United States Infantry, Brigadier Gen. Henry C Egbert, commanding arrived at San Francisco yesterday from Fort Crook, Neb. en route to the Philippines. They were assigned to the transports Ohio and Senator, which it is understood will sail today. The wives and families of a number of officers will also take passage on the Senator.

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Augusta Chronicle, Georgia, Monday, 27 March 1899, page 1

Adjutant General Washington: Manila March 26; Entire casualties yesterday; one officer, 25 enlisted men killed; eight officers and 142 men wounded. Colonel Egbert, 22nd Infantry killed. Colonel Henry C Egbert was born in Pennsylvania and appointed a First Lieutenant in the army from civil life on September 23, 1861. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Gettysburg, but escaped and rejoined his command; and was wounded on June 1864 in the Battle of Bethesda Church.

 For his distinguished service in battle he was promoted a brigadier general of volunteers, which grade he held until December 1, 1898. He joined the Twenty-second infantry January 30, 1899, sailed with it for Manila February 1st and arrived at Manila March 4, 1899.

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Cincinnati Post, Wednesday, 29 March 1899, page 4

San Antonia Tex-The men of the Fighting Sixth, who battled at San Juan Hill under the late Colonel Egbert, are grief stricken at his death. They have been notified by The Post of the plan to raise a fund to build a monument to his memory and are heartily in favor of it. To a man they declare, they will contribute to the fund.

Some definite steps will be taken in this direction before the regiment leaves for the Philippines. The orders which sent them there compel them to leave Ft Sam Houston not later than April 24. The will embark on the transport Senator on the 29th at San Francisco. The next Commander in Chief, Colonel William C Johnson, was speaking to a Post reporter in regard to the project to erect a monument to the late hero of the Civil Spanish American and Philippine Wars.

"You would be safe in saying the Grand Army Post of Hamilton County are in favor of showing to his name, the highest consideration. It is a matter which should be pushed. Delay will make it more difficult. It should be urged while the people still have fresh in their minds, the death of the hero."

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Saint Paul Globe, MN, Tuesday, 4 April 1899, page 2

Brig. Gen. Harrison Gray Otis sails for home on board the United States transport Sherman today. The Sherman will have on board the sons of Col John Hay, secretary of state and Senator Hale of Maine, who have witnessed much of the fighting with the army and the bodies of Col Henry C Egbert of the Twenty-second Infantry, killed March 26 and other officers who have recently fallen in battle.

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Cincinnati Post, Friday, 8 December 1899, page 3

WASHINGTON. Senator Foraker has introduced a bill in the Senate "to increase to $100 per month the pension of Nelly Young Egbert, widow of the late Henry Clay Egbert, of the Twenty-second Infantry, who was killed in the Philippine War." Mrs. Egbert is now in the Philippines and her daughter, Miss Bessie Egbert is teaching school in Manila. Colonel Egbert's son is a Lieutenant in the army of the Philippines.

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