Milton L. Haney

Milton Lorenzi Haney (January 23, 1825–January 20, 1922) was a regimental chaplain in the United States Army. Haney was born in Savannah, Ohio in 1825. He credited the home life of his mother as being the greatest human factor leading to his salvation. In 1846, he received appointment as the junior preacher of the Dixon, Illinois, Circuit. At first his work centered in southern Illinois, but he quickly expanded, preaching in churches and camp mee... more

Milton Lorenzi Haney (January 23, 1825–January 20, 1922) was a regimental chaplain in the United States Army. Haney was born in Savannah, Ohio in 1825. He credited the home life of his mother as being the greatest human factor leading to his salvation. In 1846, he received appointment as the junior preacher of the Dixon, Illinois, Circuit. At first his work centered in southern Illinois, but he quickly expanded, preaching in churches and camp meetings throughout the Midwestern states. He entered U.S. Army Service at Bushnell, Illinois as Chaplain, 55th Illinois Infantry. Four men earned Medals of Honor in action against Confederate forces at Atlanta, Georgia on July 21–22, 1863. Among these four heroes was Milton Haney, sometimes called "The Fighting Chaplain" by the men of the 55th Illinois Infantry. When the tide of battle was critical on July 22, Chaplain Haney voluntarily joined the ranks of his regiment, as noted in his citation. In the late 1890s, Haney's chronic health problems... less