Few counties in America can claim to have had a lieutenant general born within its boundaries. Clermont County can go one step further by boasting of two men- U.S. Grant and Henry Clark Corbin- who achieved that pinnacle of achievement. This article will explore how interconnected the lives of these two Clermonters were as they served their country with great distinction.
April 27, 1822- Hannah Simpson Grant went into labor with her first child. Her husband, “Uncle” Jesse Grant, left the couple’s home in Point Pleasant to fetch Dr. John Rogers who lived five miles away in New Richmond. When he reached Dr. Rogers’ home he was told that the twenty-four year-old physician was at the home of John Clark in nearby Monroe Township, delivering the Clark’s first child.
After delivering a baby girl named Mary, Dr. Rogers advised he was able to leave. Jesse replied, “You hurry along, Doctor .You can get along without me. I am going to stay and breakfast with Mr. Clark.” Jesse arrived home two hours later to meet his ten pound son he named Hiram Ulysses.
The Grants moved to Georgetown, Ohio eighteen months later. Young Hiram made quite a name for himself in Georgetown with his horsemanship by riding through the village at breakneck speed, often bareback, and trick riding. Jesse, much to his son’s consternation, secured an appointment to West Point. It was there, due to army red tape, that the future president became known as Ulysses Simpson Grant.
On September 15, 1842, when Grant was a junior at West Point, Mary Clark- the girl born on Grant’s birthday- gave birth to a son who was named Henry Clark Corbin. Corbin lived on the family farm and attended the highly regarded private Parker Academy. He was remembered there as a “sweet natured boy”, but one without any particular academic talents. After graduating, Corbin became a teacher with the intention of pursuing a career as an attorney.
Grant entered the Civil War in 1861 as a colonel, commanding the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He rose through the ranks after winning battles at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga. Known as a “general who could fight”, Grant was promoted to lieutenant general by President Lincoln and given command of all U.S. armies.
Henry Corbin entered the war in the summer of 1862 as a recruiting officer in the 79th Ohio Volunteer Infantry organizing at Camp Dennison. He met Rutherford B. Hayes and became a close, personal, life-long friend of the future Ohio governor and president. He showed a talent for administrative work and was quickly promoted. In November 1863, Corbin was promoted to major in the 14th United States Colored Troop, becoming the first Ohioan to accept a field grade position with a black regiment.
He was court martialed twice. Corbin was accused by his commanding officer of negligently treating army mules. He was acquitted without calling a witness. He later demanded a court martial to clear his name of cowardice, circulated by the same man, at the Battle of Nashville. The court “most honorably acquitted” him. The court removed his accuser from the army for lying, although the order was later rescinded.
Corbin received two brevet (temporary) promotions for “gallant and meritorious service” during the battles of Decatur and Nashville. Both promotions were signed by General Grant, himself. The general also issued an officer’s commission to Corbin in the regular army. Corbin left the army as a twenty-three year-old brevet brigadier general and returned home to Batavia to study law with Phillip Swing who would later be appointed a federal judge by President Grant.
General Grant decided to visit with family and friends on his way to Washington, D.C. A reception was held for him at his cousin John G. Griffith’s home on Main Street in Batavia- the former location of the county and municipal courts. As the general and the guests assembled at the home, a signal cannon was fired to honor Grant. The concussion shattered the door’s glass transom. A piece of the glass nicked the general’s neck. Everyone was horrified. Grant calmly dabbed the small cut with his handkerchief and marveled that he had been in two wars and had never been wounded, but comes home among friends and family and spills his blood for his country.
Corbin attended the reception. He was recognized by Grant, and, by name, was called over to talk. The six foot four inch tall Corbin towered over the diminutive general. The two chatted for a while and then Grant asked Corbin, “Don’t you think you are treating the War Department rather shabbily?”
Gary Knepp is Clermont County’s honorary historian and is the author of eight books about Clermont’s history. Knepp’s website is www.garyknepp.com.