The Forty-third regiment United States Colored Troops

This officer, formerly Colonel Commanding this Regiment, is a native of Washington, Ohio. His great-grand-father, James Yeoman, served with distinction as a Captain in the war of the Revolution, and his grand-father as a First Lieutenant in the war of 1812.

Before entering the United States service the General was a sea-man, whose experience of nautical life extends over a decade of years. He started as a sailor before the mast at fifteen years of age. His first voyage was on a whaling expedition of three years in the ship "Alexander," which was wrecked on the South Island of New Zealand. The boats, to which all fled for safety, became unmanageable; and not until after suffering great hardships on the deep, he with a few others were accidentally rescued. After this he made several voyages to South America, Asia and Africa; and returned shortly before the outbreak of the Rebellion. He at once determined to remain and identify himself with the cause of the Union and its Free Institutions.

He volunteered as a PRIVATE in Co. F. 22nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry April 20th 1861, and was afterwards appointed First Sergeant of his Company. With this command he continued in Western Virginia, under General Rosencrans until it was discharged by reason of expiration of term of service. At home he immediately commenced the work of Recruiting; and returned again to the field September 15th 1861 as CAPTAIN of Co. A. 54th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

At Corinth, General Yeoman, then a Captain, was particularly selected by Maj. General Sherman, to take command of ten picked men, and with these to penetrate the Rebel lines in order to ascertain their forces, and more especially the movements they were inaugurating. The task was a perilous one; but he accomplished it with entire success, returning with very valuable information, for which he obtained the hearty thanks of the General in command and of the Department.

While gallantly in the discharge of duty he has received the following wounds, viz.: In the battle of Shiloh, April 6th and 7th 1862, slightly wounded in the breast and left leg; in the battle of Russell's House, June 1862, wounded again in left leg; wounded in arm and abdomen on different occasions on the picket line; in the battle of Arkansas Post, January 10th and 11th, 1863, while in command of his Regiment, severely wounded by a shell in right arm, almost entirely severing the arm below the elbow. Amputation became necessary immediately on the field; and after this he was conveyed to a Hospital Boat on the Mississippi River, and finally reached home. For his distinguished services he was appointed Major of his Regiment, but such was the condition of his wound that any attempt to return to the field was considered unadvisable, and he, therefore, respectfully declined the promotion. He resigned on account of his serious loss. This officer won an estimable name in his services with the Western Army.

He was appointed Captain in the Veteran Reserve Corps, Commanding 6th Co. 2nd Battalion, on duty in Cincinnati. In May 1864, he received from the President of the United States the appointment of COLONEL of this Regiment. Instead of reporting immediately to the command, he was detailed by order of the War Department to Camp Casey, Virginia, as Superintendent of Recruiting Service and Chief Mustering officer of North East District of Virginia. He continued in this office until November 29th, 1864, when he rejoined this Regiment in the field, then on the Bermuda Front, Virginia. He led this command in all the actions after that date, including the triumphant capture of Richmond, April 3d, 1865. He has also been Commanding Officer of 3d Brigade 1st Division 25th Corps.

He was promoted by the President of the United States to BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL OF VOLUNTEERS, "for gallant and meritorious services during the war," to rank as such from the 15th day of March, 1865.

The following are engagements in which he has actively participated, viz.: Shiloh, April 6th and 7th, 1862; Russell's House, June, 1862; Easel's House, June, 1862; heavy skirmish at Corinth, July, 1862; heavy skirmish at Holly Springs, July, 1862; Chickasaw Bayou, (lasting six days,) December, 1862; Arkansas Post, January 10th and 11th, 1863; siege of Vicksburg, July, 1863; capture of Richmond, April 3d, 1865 and in, at least, fifteen other different skirmishes not mentioned in the above.

BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL YEOMAN is an officer of ability and experience in the active service, who has greatly distinguished himself in action. He now carries the empty sleeve of his right arm as the unmistakable mark of his devotion and valor.

BREVET COL. H. SEYMOUR HALL.

BREVET COLONEL H. SEYMOUR HALL, formerly Lieutenant Colonel of this Regiment, and a native of Providence, Saratoga county New York, is the only son of a very patriotic widow. His grand-father, Moses Hall, was a soldier of the Revolution of 1776, and served his country during the entire period of that eventful struggle. The Colonel was pursuing a Scientific course in Genesee College, New York, when the intelligence of the Rebel guns against Sumpter was communicated to the North. With others of his collegiate companions he immediately tendered his services to the Country, and was enlisted April 24th, 1861, as a volunteer PRIVATE in Co. G. 27th Regiment New York Volunteers, which Regiment was first commanded by Colonel, now Major General Slocum, whose successor in the command was Lieutenant Colonel, now Major General J. J. Bartlett. Upon the organization of the Company he was chosen ENSIGN. He afterwards was appointed SECOND LIEUTENANT, and then promoted to CAPTAIN.

In the battle of Gaines' Hill, June 27th, 1862, he received a wound in his left thigh by a musket ball. On account of his distinguished services in that engagement he is specially spoken of by the commanding officer of his Brigade, who in submitting names of officers whose good conduct and gallantry, particularly in that action, deserved mention, states: "H. Seymour Hall, Captain of Co. G. 27th New York Volunteers, for coolness and intrepidity in the battle of Gaines' Hill; and for displaying the traits of a good officer at all times."

January 15th, 1863, he became Acting Assistant Inspector General on the staff of Brigadier General Bartlett, commanding 2nd Brigade 1st Division 6th Corps; and for his services in the battles of Chancellorsville and Salem Heights, May 3d and 4th ensuing, he is honorably mentioned in the report by that General commanding, who states: "during the campaigns I received the most efficient aid from Captain H. Seymour Hall, Acting Assistant Inspector General. He was brave, energetic and untiring in his endeavors to promote the efficiency of my command."

Upon the expiration of term of service of his Regiment he was formerly mustered-out, but immediately re-commissioned Captain in the 121st New York Volunteers, and continued on the staff as before. When Colonel Upton became General Bartlett's successor in command of the Brigade, he was placed on his staff. He is highly complimented in the report by this latter officer of his command in the battle of Rappahannock Station, November 7th, 1863. "From my own staff I received, in every instance, prompt and gallant assistance, and to their united efforts may be attributed, in a great measure, the promptness with which both regiments re-formed inside the works. Captain H. Seymour Hall, Assistant Inspector General, entered the rifle pits with the men." After this engagement he was promoted to ACTING ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL on the staff of this Brigade commander, which position he held in connection with the other until his commission in this Regiment.

It may not be improper to introduce here a few extracts of communications setting forth the high appreciation of Colonel Hall for his ability and bravery, by very competent Judges. Brigadier General Jackson, Commander of 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Corps, in his letter addressed to Adjutant General of the State of New York, requesting the appointment of Captain Hall to Colonel of the 145th New York Volunteers, which Regiment was in his Brigade, and without a Colonel, states: "I have known Captain Hall for the past fifteen months, and consider him every way qualified to fill the above mentioned position." Major General Slocum's endorsement on this paper testifies: "I know Captain Hall to be a capable, efficient and faithful officer, and most cordially unite with General Jackson in this recommendation." Major General Slocum himself, also, in a letter relating to the same subject, and addressed to the same Officer of State, closes with the remarks: "I am well acquainted with him (Captain Hall,) and know him to be a capable and efficient officer, and think his appointment would be a great benefit to the service. Captain Hall has no knowledge of my intention to recommend him for this position, and in doing it I am only actuated by a desire to improve the condition of the troops under my command." For some reason or other, left unsatisfactory unexplained, the State Executive made no appointment whatever. In consequence of this the Regiment alluded to was obliged to forego its organization, and be consolidated with others.

Captain Hall was appointed by the President LIEUTENANT COLONEL of this Regiment, March 20th, 1864. After reporting at Camp William Penn, Philadelphia, he completed the organization of its 1st Battalion composed of the first six Companies, with which he joined the 9th Corps at Annapolis, Maryland, April 19th, 1864. He commanded it through all the engagements in the Wilderness; and in the memorable battle of the Mine before Petersburg, Virginia, July 30th, 1864, it was the charging Regiment which he led against the enemy's works. With regard to his own gallantry in that terrible engagement, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 9th Corps, testifies: "Lieutenant Colonel H. Seymour Hall, Commanding 43d Regiment United States Colored Troops, lost his right arm while bravely leading his Regiment." Such was his anxiety that he reported again for duty to his Regiment when his wound was but partially healed. He was afterwards ordered to Camp Casey, Virginia, as Commander of that Recruiting Rendezvous and Chief Mustering Officer of the District of Columbia. He remained in this capacity until March 20th, 1865, the date under order of discontinuing the Rendezvous, when he returned to his Regiment, then on the front before Richmond, Virginia. Immediately after the capture of Richmond, April 3d, 1865, he was detailed PROVOST MARSHAL of Manchester, Virginia. He conducted this office with his usual great ability, and also with perfect satisfaction to the Government.

He was appointed by the President of the United States COLONEL OF VOLUNTEERS by Brevet "for gallant and meritorious services in the service of the United States, to rank as such from the 13th day of March 1865." This honor from the late lamented Chief Magistrate was most fittingly awarded.