Biography

"Union officer.  Joseph Abel Haskin was born in June 21, 1818, in Troy, New York.  He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, in 1839.  Promoted to first lieutenant in 1844, Haskin saw combat during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), where he lost an arm, and received two brevets for his wartime service.  Thereafter he served on garrison, recruiting, and quartermaster duties.  In 1861 Haskin was a captain with the 1st U.S. Artillery, commanding federal facilities in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Unfortunately for him, he was compelled to surrender the arsenal and barracks to well-armed Louisiana secessionists on January 10, 1861.  Haskin was promoted to major than lieutenant colonel in 1862, commanding the Washington defenses north of the Potomac River from August 1862 to July 1864.
Until 1864, Haskin was assigned chiefly staff and garrison duties.  In the spring of that year, he was appointed chief artillerist for Washington, D.C.  He finally earned a name for himself during Lieutenant General Jupal A. Early's Washington Raid (June 28-July 21, 1864).  By now, Haskins [sic] was commanding Forts Slocum and Stevens.  During the last three days of the Confederate campaign, he dispatched Union cavalry to harass Confederate forces and buy time so he could stiffen his defenses.  The Confederate raid was aborted on July 12.  On August 5, 1864, Haskin was advanced to brigadier general of volunteers for his bold action.
Haskin continued to serve in the environs of Washington, D.C., until war's end.  On March 13, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier general of regulars.  Remaining in the army after the war, he held commands at New York and Boston before retiring on December 15, 1870.  Haskin died on August 3, 1874, in Oswego, New York." (from American Civil War: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection, edited by Spencer C. Tucker.)