Henry Clay Trumbull, who served as chaplain in the 10th Connecticut Infantry during the American Civil War, was born in Stonington, Connecticut on June 8, 1830. He was the son of Gurdon and Sarah Swan Trumbull. In 1851, Trumbull was hired as a clerk for the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad. The following year, while still working for the railroad, he joined the Congregationalist church and became superintendent of a mission Sunday school. In 1858, he became Connecticut state Sunday school missionary. Trumbull married Alice Cogswell Gallaudet in 1854. The couple would have eight children.

Shortly after being ordained a Congregationalist minister in 1862, Trumbull became chaplain of the 10th Connecticut Infantry. Captured at the battle of Fort Wagner (South Carolina) on July 19, 1863, he was held prisoner until being exchanged, and on November 24, he rejoined the regiment. He continued to serve with the 10th until it mustered out in August 1865.

Returning to civilian service, Trumbull became New England secretary of the American Sunday-school Union. In 1875 he became editor of the Sunday School Times in Philadelphia. He continued to serve as the publication's editor until his death. In addition to his work with the Sunday School Times, Trumbull wrote more than 30 books, including War Memories of an Army Chaplain. He continues to be considered a pioneer of the Sunday school movement and in personal evangelism. Henry Clay Trumbull died on December 8, 1903.

The 10th Connecticut Infantry was organized at Hartford, Connecticut and mustered into service on October 262, 1861. The regiment joined Burnside's coastal North Carolina campaign the following February, particpating in the battles of Roanoke Island and Newbern. After the Union victory at Newbern in March, the 10th remained in the city through the summer. The regiment was assigned to support McClellan's attack on Richmond in December 1862, then was ordered to South Carolina. In July, 1863, the 10th participated in the assault on Fort Wagner before being ordered that autumn to St. Augustine, Florida for rest and recuperation.

In February 1864, veterans of the regiment returned to Hartford, Connecticut on furloughs, but by May, the regiment was assigned to the Army of the Jjames, moving against Confederate forces at City Point and Bermuda Hundred, Virginia. The regiment continued to serve in eastern Virginia for the remainder of the war, suffering particularly high casualties during the Battle for Fort Gregg in April, 1865, and participating in the final pursuit of Confederate forces to Appomattox Court House. The 10th Connecticut Infantry was mustered out of service on August 25, 1865.