The Colonels of Spring Grove - Leonard Armstrong Harris

Admittedly, Leonard Harris is one of my favorite obscure personalities of the Civil War.  His later career is more known, having served as mayor of Cincinnati from 1863-66 and as a U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue.

Leonard Armstrong Harris was born on October 11th, 1824, in Cincinnati.  Prior to the Civil War he was a locksmith and a magistrate.  He joined the 2nd Ohio Infantry (three months) on April 17th, 1861 as a captain in Company I in Columbus.  He became colonel of the three year 2nd Ohio on August 8th at Camp Dennison.  He would hold brigade command in the Army of the Ohio from August 10th through November 5th, 1862, leading the brigade ably at the Battle of Perryville where his brigade held its position for several hours.  He was also present at the Battle of Ivy Mountain.

Harris would resign his commission on December 24th, 1862, due to a back injury, stating that the injury "has increased to such an extent that I am now satisfied from the advice of my physicians and my feelings that I will never be fit for duty."  Yet, while mayor of Cincinnati, Harris would become colonel of the 137th Ohio, a one hundred days regiment, mustering out on August 19th, 1864.  It is interesting to speculate Harris' Civil War career had he not resigned shortly before the Battle of Stones River as he had performed admirably during his tenure as colonel of the 2nd Ohio.

After the war Harris would also serve on the Board of Managers of the National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers from 1878 until 1890.  He would pass away on July 5th, 1890 in Cincinnati.

Harris is buried in Section 103, Lot 160.