John G. Barnard

John G. Barnard (1815-1882) - Born 19 May 1815 in Sheffield, Massachusetts. A career military officer and engineer who rose to top level positions and who served in the Mexican War and the U.S. Civil War. Died 14 May 1882 in Detroit, Michigan. He entered the United States Military Academy and graduated at 18 years old in the Class of 1833, ranking 2nd out of 43 graduates. He was first posted as a Bvt. 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Corps of Engineers and served in engineering rolls at various coastal forts.

He served in the Mexican War (1848-1850) and was breveted Major in that war. As a Bvt. Major, he served as the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy (1855-1856), replacing Robert E. Lee in that post. He continued to work on coastal fortifications with increasingly responsibilities including various high level boards and commissions.

During the U.S. Civil War he supervised the construction of the defenses of Washington, DC, and participated in many of the significant campaigns. He rose in rank to Bvt. Major General and was nominated as Chief of the U.S. Corps of Engineers but declined the post. He served in the Honor Guard at President Lincoln's funeral. Following the war he served on numerous boards and commissions that shaped the defenses of the United States.

General Barnard retired on 2 Jan 1881 from the U.S. Corps of Engineers after 48 years of service. He died in Detroit, Michigan, on 14 May 1882 and is interred in Barnard Cemetery, Sheffield, Massachusetts

Sources:
 * Wikipedia - John G. Barnard
 * Cullum Register - John G. Barnard