James H. Harris

Biography

James H. Harris emerged from modest New England roots to serve the Union cause with steady resolve, rising from breveted ranks to command brigades and divisions in the Army of the Potomac. Known for his calm leadership during hard-fought engagements, he earned the trust of soldiers and superiors alike as he guided troops through the bloody Overland Campaign and the final marches toward Richmond.

After the Civil War he remained in the Regular Army, overseeing posts throughout the country and helping shepherd the transition to peacetime duties while always honoring the soldiers who had fought alongside him. His decades of service concluded with his burial at Arlington National Cemetery, where visitors still encounter the legacy of a disciplined officer devoted to duty.