Freelance Historian

Henry Hopkins (1837-1908)

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Henry Hopkins was one of the first seven hospital chaplains appointed by President Lincoln, serving on a volunteer basis without rank from September 25, 1861 until May 31, 1862, then under commission until May 25, 1864. Records show he resigned in the field from hospital duty to serve as chaplain for the 120th New York Infantry. He is mentioned in the official battle report for Hatchers Run:

Both officers and men of the command behaved with great coolness and
bravery, and where all behaved so well it is difficult to make particular
mention of any one person. Chaplain H. Hopkins, of this regiment
deserves particular mention, however, he being in the line with a musket
and fighting bravely side by side with the men, and by his coolness and
bravery exerted a good influence over them.

Legend has it that Hopkins rallied the shaken troops around him by singing “Battle Cry of Freedom” while shooting at the enemy.