Lehman, Henry D

Henry D Lehman

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company F, 31st Indiana Infantry

Place of Birth:

Pensylvania, USA

Date of Birth:

1837

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, TN

Date of Death:

1/2/1863

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, TN

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Henry D Lehman was born in the state of Pennsylvania in 1837. He enlisted on September 20th, 1861 at the age of 24. Lehman was a private in company F of the 31st Indiana Infantry under General Cruft's brigade for the duration of his service.

During the battle of Stones River, Lehman and his company were positioned on the high ground along the railroad tracks, holding the line for Rosecrans while fighting occurred all around them on the 31st of December. They held this position throughout the first day and when the sun set, they awaited orders from Rosecrans. On January 1st, 1863, Rosecrans repositioned Cruft's brigade across the railroad tracks along the west fork of the Stones River to prepare for fighting to happen on January 2nd.

Once made aware of this position, Confederate General Braxton Bragg sent Breckinridge's brigade to take said position. At 4pm, Confederate soldiers crossed the river and came head on with Cruft's brigade along with other Union reinforcements. It was during this time that Private Lehman lost his life in the crossfires of the final stand of the Battle of Stones River. He was laid to rest in the field after the battle, and was later reinterred in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot G-2833.