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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Henry Warner Slocum Biography SLOCUM,
Henry Warner (1827-94). An American soldier, born at Delphi, N. Y., and
graduated at West Point in 1852. In 1856 he resigned from military service and
became a counselor at law in Syracuse, N. Y. In the Civil War he became colonel
of the Twenty-seventh New York Volunteers, which he led at the first battle of
Bull Run, where he was severely wounded. He returned to active service in
September, 1861, as brigadier general of volunteers. He rendered conspicuous
service at the battle of Gaines's Mill (q.v.). After Malvern Hill (July 1, 1862)
he rose to be major general of volunteers. He was in the second battle of Bull
Run and at South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. He later
took part in the capture and occupation of Atlanta. In Sherman's march to the
sea Slocum was given the left wing, a command which he held until after
Johnston's surrender at Durham Station. In 1865 he resigned from the service. He
was elected to Congress in 1868 and 1870. SLOCUM
DISASTER. One of the greatest marine catastrophes of modern times. The large
steamboat, General Slocum, carrying about 1800 passengers, was discovered to be
on fire while sailing up the East River on June 15, 1904. Before the boat could
be grounded a panic seized those on board, and many hundreds leaped overboard to
escape the flames, which spread with great rapidity. The vessel was finally
beached near North Brother Island, but in spite of the heroic efforts of those
who hastened to the rescue, about 1000 persons were drowned or burned to death. |