Horatio Collins King
Encyclopedia
Horatio Collins King was a Union Army
soldier who received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the American Civil War
. He also served as a U.S.
lawyer, politician and author.
Born in Portland, Maine
, he graduated at Dickinson College
in 1858, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in New York City
in 1861. He served in the armies of the Potomac
and Shenandoah
during the Civil War
from August 1862 until October 1865, when he resigned with the rank of brevet
colonel
. He earned the Medal of Honor
for service near Dinwiddie Courthouse, Virginia, on March 31, 1865.
He then practiced law until 1870, when he became connected with the press. In 1883, he was appointed judge-advocate-general of New York. He was the author of The Plymouth Silver Wedding (New York, 1873); The Brooklyn Congregational Council (1876); King's Guide to Regimental Courts-Martial (1882); and edited Proceedings of the Army of the Potomac (1879-'87).
In 1895
, he ran on the Democratic ticket for Secretary of State of New York
, but was defeated by Republican John Palmer
.
In 1912, he ran on the Progressive
ticket for New York State Comptroller
, but was defeated by Democrat William Sohmer
.
His father, Horatio King
, was Postmaster General of the United States.
Citation:
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
soldier who received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He also served as a U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer, politician and author.
Biography
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, he graduated at Dickinson College
Dickinson College
Dickinson College is a private, residential liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Originally established as a Grammar School in 1773, Dickinson was chartered September 9, 1783, five days after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, making it the first college to be founded in the newly...
in 1858, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1861. He served in the armies of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
and Shenandoah
Army of the Shenandoah (Union)
The Army of the Shenandoah was a Union army during the American Civil War. First organized in 1861 and then disbanded, it is best known for its recreation in 1864 under Philip Sheridan...
during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
from August 1862 until October 1865, when he resigned with the rank of brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
. He earned the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for service near Dinwiddie Courthouse, Virginia, on March 31, 1865.
He then practiced law until 1870, when he became connected with the press. In 1883, he was appointed judge-advocate-general of New York. He was the author of The Plymouth Silver Wedding (New York, 1873); The Brooklyn Congregational Council (1876); King's Guide to Regimental Courts-Martial (1882); and edited Proceedings of the Army of the Potomac (1879-'87).
In 1895
New York state election, 1895
The 1895 New York state election was held on November 5, 1895, to elect the Secretary of State, the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the State Engineer and a judge of the New York Court of Appeals, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly and the New York...
, he ran on the Democratic ticket for Secretary of State of New York
Secretary of State of New York
The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A...
, but was defeated by Republican John Palmer
John Palmer (politician)
John Palmer was an American politician.-Early life:His parents were Englishmen who returned with him to England when Palmer was still a small child. Later he accompanied his seafaring grandfather, and witnessed the Siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War from their freighter...
.
In 1912, he ran on the Progressive
Progressive Party (United States, 1912)
The Progressive Party of 1912 was an American political party. It was formed after a split in the Republican Party between President William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt....
ticket for New York State Comptroller
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
, but was defeated by Democrat William Sohmer
William Sohmer
William Sohmer was an American politician.-Life:...
.
His father, Horatio King
Horatio King
Horatio King was Postmaster General of the United States under James Buchanan.Born in Paris, Maine, he received a common school education, and at the age of 18 entered the office of the Paris Jeffersonian, where he learned printing, afterward becoming owner and editor of the paper...
, was Postmaster General of the United States.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Major and Quartermaster, U.S. Volunteers. Place and date: Near Dinwiddie Courthouse, Va., March 31, 1865. Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y. Born: December 22, 1837, Portland, Maine. Date of issue: September 23, 1897.Citation:
While serving as a volunteer aide, carried orders to the reserve brigade and participated with it in the charge which repulsed the enemy.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: G–L