Henry Black: West Point Graduate

Henry Moore Black was born in Pennsylvania in 1827. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1847 and served as an assistant instructor of artillery until serving with the 4th Infantry in the Mexican War. He was also posted to Florida, Missouri, Kansas and the Indian Territory with the 9th Infantry. He was promoted to captain and served at several forts in Washington state before being assigned to San Francisco at the start of the Civil War. He commanded the garrisons at Alcatraz and Benicia Barracks and the District of Humboldt as colonel of the 6th California Infantry. Between 1864 and 1870, Col. Black served as Commandant of Cadets at the US Military Academy, where he also taught artillery, infantry and cavalry tactics. He served at numerous posts in the South, Far West and East until he retired in 1891. Col. Black died in 1893 and is buried at West Point. Photo from the United States Army Military History Institute