Joseph H. Barquet (1823)

Born 1823 in North Carolina, United States

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Biography

Joseph H. Barquet was born about 1823^[1] in North Carolina. He served with the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War.

Occupations

• 1863^[1]: Mason

Residences

• 1863: Galesburg, Illinois (military enlistment)^[1]
• 1860: Galesburg, Illinois with his wife, children and Dedenia Shafers^[2]

Military Service

During the Civil War, he served as a Sergeant in Company H of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the second^[3] regiment in the United States made up entirely of enlisted men of color. He was about 40 years old, married and working as a mason when he enlisted on 26 April 1863 from Galesburg, Illinois. Mustered out 20 August 1865 with his regiment.^[1]

1 January 1864

New Year's Day being the first anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the non-commissioned officers arranged for a celebration. The men formed and proceeded to the parade-ground, where a dry-goods box covered with a rubber blanket was placed, to serve as a speaker's stand. Chaplain Harrison offered a prayer and then introduced the orator of the day, Sergeant Barquet of Company H. Barquet was in high spirits, and began with the quotation, "What means this sea of upturned faces," etc. The speaker had hardly warmed up to his work, when in the midst of a most impassioned harangue the dry-goods box caved in, carrying him down. Barquet, in no way disconcerted, from the wreck shouted out the appropriate but well-worn gag: "Gentlemen, I admire your principles, but damn your platform!"^[4]

20 January 1864

By this date the Fifty-fourth was well-clothed, fully equipped, and prepared for any service. The colder weather, although it brought some discomfort, served to lessen the number of sick. Food was better and more varied. Quartermaster Ritchie, assisted by Sergeant Barquet and Private King, secured bricks from the old lighthouse and constructed an oven which furnished soft bread. It had a capacity of two hundred loaves each baking.^[5]

Company Remarks

See also Images.

24 October 1863

Sergt. J. H. Barquet returned to company after a furlough of thirty four days'

15 September 1863

Sergt Barquet leaves camp at Morris Is[land] for the North on a furlough of 30 days

Census Race

• 1860^[2]: Mulatto

Projects

• 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Sources

• 1860 United States Federal Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Galesburg, Knox, Illinois; Roll: M653_195; Page: 1005; Family History Library Film: 803195 (as J. Barquet)
• Emilio, Luis Fenollosa. History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865, Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Book Co., 1891 (1st ed.) and 1894 (2nd ed.)
• Fold3.com. Free Access Civil War Records 1-15 April 2018. 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company Remarks.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Emilio, McKay Roster p. 373
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} 1860 federal census
3. ↑ and the first with federal recognition; the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment was against the wishes of the Secretary of War and filled only six companies, but did see action a full year before the 54th
4. ↑ Emilio, p. 144
5. ↑ Emilio, p. 147