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.