Barber, Alfred C

Alfred C Barber

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company G, 59th Illinois Infantry

Place of Birth:

Washington County, Rhode Island

Date of Birth:

1835

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, TN

Date of Death:

December 31st, 1868

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, TN

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Alfred C Barber was born in 1835 in Washington County, Rhode Island. In his adult life, he moved to Carrollton, Greene County, Illinois where he worked as a farmer. He enlisted for the Union army on August 4th, 1861. He mustered in three days later into Company G of the 59th Illinois Infantry regiment. He was 26 years old when he enlisted. His enlistment records describe him as being 5'6" and having a dark complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. On October 9th, 1862, he had a rank change to sergeant, shortly before coming to Stones River.

In October of 1862, the 59th Illinois found themselves only 8 miles from Nashville, Tennessee. They were in areas surrounding Nashville from October to December. On December 26th, they were deployed as skirmishers as the Union Army of the Cumberland advanced on Murfreesboro. They ended up in Triune where they stayed until December 29th when they completed their march into Murfreesboro.

Early on the 31st of December, Confederate troops in the area made quick with their attack, aiming at the Union's right flank. The 59th Illinois was positioned alone Gresham Lane, retreating in a J-shaped motion as the Confederates pushed them north. The 59th managed with great strife, but were eventually pushed even further north towards Asbury Lane. By the time they were nearing Asbury Lane, their regiment had taken extreme losses, with Sergeant Barber being one of them.

Alfred C Barber is laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot L-4702.