USA > Michigan > Annual report of the Adjutant General of the State of Michigan for the year, Vol. I > Part 13
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Companies were at Nashville, Tenn., on January 1st, 1864, and on the 8th took steamers for Eastport, Miss., arriving there on the 15th, and on the 11th of February left that point, via Florence, Huntsville, Stevenson and Bridgeport, Ala., for Chat- tanooga, Tenn., where the Regimeut remained until March 11th, when they crossed the Tennessee River and marched with the Regiment on a scout to the eastward of Chattanooga, but not finding the enemy, returned to camp next day. They again left camp with the Regiment on the 21st, and marched southwards in the direction of Rome, Ga., and returned on the 27th, having skirmished with the enemy at Trenton Gap on the 22d, at Alpine on the 24th, and at Summerville on the 25th. On May Ist they were at Resaca. On the 9th left for Kingston, arriving there same day, and on the 20th started with the Regiment for Atlanta, as an escort to a supply train, arriving at that point on the 23d, and were then ordered to return with the train loaded with cotton to Chattanooga, where they were on August 31st, the date of their last returns. On September 21st following, they were mustered out of service at Nashville, and soon thereafter paid off and disbanded.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.
Memphis, Mo., July 18, 1862.
Moor's Mill, " " 28, "
Kirsville, " Aug. 6,
Brownsville, Ark, Aug. 25, 1863.
Bayou Mecoe, " " 27, "
Ashley's Bayou, Ark., Sept. 7, 1863. Independence, Mo., Oct. 22, 1864. Little Rock, “ 10, “ Big Blue, " .23, “
Benton, " 11, ¥
Princeton, Dec. 8, “
Little Mo. River, " April 3, 4, 1864. Summerville, Ga., March 25, 1865.
Prairie Dehan, 1864.
" 12, 13, 14,
Camden, Ark, April 15, 1864. Jenkins' Ferry, Ark., April 29, 30, 1864.
Franklin, Mo., Oct. 1, 1864.
Otterville, " " 10, "
Trenton Gap, Ga., Mar. 22, 1865.
Alpine, Ga., March 24, 1865.
NOTE .- Company L was not organized until December, 1862, and con- sequently did not participate in the battles and skirmishes prior to August 25th, 1863.
21
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
FIRST MICHIGAN (102 U. S.) COLORED INFANTRY.
The Headquarters of this Regiment on November Ist, 1864, were at Beaufort, S. C., and the several companies thereof were doing picket duty on the outposts of Port Royal, Lady's and Coosa Islands during that month and December. Onthe 30th of November a detachment of the Regiment, consisting of twelve officers and three hundred men left Beaufort and joined General Foster's cooperating column at Boyd's Land- ing, and was engaged with the enemy at Honey Hill on the 30th, at Tullifinny December 7th, and at Devereaux Neck on the 9th, sustaining a loss in these engagements of sixty-five. On January 19th following, the several companies doing duty at the outposts referred to returned to Beaufort, and on the 21st the Regiment left that point for Devereaux Neck, where the detachment which had been with General Foster's column rejoined it on the 24th, and on the 28th the Regiment started for Pocotaligo, reaching there the same day, where it remained until February 7th, when it crossed the Salkehatchie River and marched five miles along the line of the Charleston and Savannah Railroad in the direction of Charleston, where it established a strong picket, and throwing up breast-works en- camped for the night, and on the 8th Companies B, E, and I made a reconnoissance to the right and front and near to Cuckwold Creek, where the enemy's cavalry picket was met and attacked, which after a short skirmish, withdrew behind the Rebel works. The Regiment having destroyed the Rail- road and built breastworks near Cuckwold Creek remained there until the 14th, when it marched to the Ashepoo River and built a bridge across that stream, and on the 20th pro -- ceeding towards Charleston, reached the Ashley River on the 23d, which it crossed on the 27th and marched to the defenses on Charleston Neck, where it remained until March 9th and. was then ordered to take transports for Savannah, Ga., the right wing arriving at that point on the 11th and the left wing. on the 16th. The Regiment remained at Savannah, engaged.
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ADJUTANT GENERAL.
on picket and fatigue duty until the 28th, when on receipt of orders, it embarked on transports for Georgetown, S. C., arriv- ing there April 1st. On the 7th the right wing was ordered on board transports for Charleston, and reaching there on the 9th encamped on Charleston Neck, and on the 11th marched to join General Hartwell, on the Santee River, striking it at Nelson's Ferry on the 13th, having skirmished with the enemy's cavalry during the latter part of that day's march, and on the 18th, while marching in the direction of Camden to join the command of General Potter had a skirmish with the enemy. The left wing having marched from Georgetown April 5th, with an expedition under command of General Potter, on the 7th crossed the Charleston and Wilmington Railroad, on the 8th reached Manning, on the 9th, after heavy skirmishing with the enemy, entered Sumpterville, destroying a portion of the Wilmington Railroad on the 10th, on the 11th marched for Manchester, and reaching there on the 15th, proceeded towards Camden on the 16th, skirmishing with the enemy during that day at Spring Hill, and on the 17th reached Camden, and marched again in the direction of Manchester on the 18th, and when about five or six miles out, met the enemy in force, when with the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, (Colored,) it was ordered to flank the rebels, which was successfully accom- plished, driving them in the direction of Statesburg. On the 19th, the two wings having united, the Regiment met the enemy near Singleton's Plantation, where a successful flank movement was made by the Regiment, which resulted in forcing him to abandon a strong position, and in completely routing him. The Regiment being encamped on the 20th and 21st, having Companies A, B and C on the picket line, on the morning of the 21st Company A was attacked by two hundred of the enemy, which it handsomely repulsed. At 12 P. M., on the 21st, the enemy sent in a flag of truce, with dispatches from General Beauregard, stating that Generals Sherman and Johnston had ceased hostilities, when the column marched
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
back to Georgetown, arriving there on the 25th. On the 29th the Regiment received orders to proceed to Charleston, and next day embarked on transports, arriving at that point same day, and went into camp on Charleston Neck, where it re- mained until May 7th, and then broke camp and marched for Summerville, and reaching there on the 8th, encamped until the 18th, then proceeded by rail to Branchville, and thence on the 25th, to Orangeburg, where it was engaged on Provost Guard and fatigue duty until July 28th, when it marched for Winnsboro, arriving there on the 3d of August, and during the remainder of that month was engaged on the same duties as at Orangeburg. Sometime in the month following, the Regiment returned to Charleston, where it was mustered out of service September 30th, and proceeded to Michigan, arriving on October 17th at Detroit, where it was paid off and disbanded.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.
Baldwin, Fla., Aug. 8, 1864. Honey Hill, S. C., Nov. 30, 1864. Tullifinny, S. C., Dec. 7, 1864. Devawx Neck, S. C., Dee. 9, 1864. Cuckwold's Creek Bridge, Feb. 8, 1865.
Sampterville, S. C., April 8, 1865. Spring Hill,
15,
Swift Creek, 66 66 17,
Boykins,
18,
Singleton's Plantation, S. C., April 19, 1865.
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ADJUTANT GENERAL
STATE TROOPS.
The Stata Troops of Michigan at present consist of three Companies of Infantry, in the city of Detroit. They are- officered as follows:
DETROIT LIGHT GUARD.
Captain, Chas. M. Lum. First Lieutenant, Eugene Robinson.
Second Lieutenant, Robert S. Mason.
LYON GUARD.
Captain, Stephen K. Stanton. First Lieutenant, Henry S. Robinson. Second Lieutenant, O. Bellaire.
SCOTT GUARD.
Captain, Frank Kremer. First Lieutenant, Edward Bourke. Second Lieutenant, William Orth.
It is not deemed necessary at this time, to make any state- ment in relation to State Troops, further than to include the following Special Report, made to Your Excellency, November. 27th, on that subject:
MILITARY DEPARTMENT MICHIGAN, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Detroit, Nov. 27, 1866. J
To His Excellency HENRY H. CRAPO, Governor and Commander in Chief, State of Michigan :
SIR-The Legislature of the State passed at its extra session of 1862, an Act for the re-organization of the military forces of the State of Michigan, which was approved January 18, 1862.
Since the passage of the law referred to, and up to this date, only three companies have been mustered into the service of the State as State troops. These companies are in the city of Detroit, and were in existence long be- fore the passage of that law, so in fact none have been organized under its operation, and it is evident that, so long as it remains as it is, none are.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
likely to be. I have therefore thought it proper at this time to make a special report on that subject.
The national defense of the Republic, aside from its navy, consists of a small standing army and its militia. The former is acquired by volunteer- ing, and the latter by a general liability, with some exemptions, of all men of proper age and sufficient physical ability to serve, when required.
The militia, when well organized, equipped and disciplined, offers the most acceptable and safest guarantee for National defense and domestic peace. It does not invite a desire to assume the offensive, yet is ever ready for the defensive. It is the army of the masses, and creates no special military organization. It engenders no distinction between citizen and soldier, no antagonistic interests and aims between the people and the army, no false pride or selfish motive which seeks hostility only to ob- tain fame and military advancement. It guards alike the life and honor of the Nation, and the independence and liberty of the citizen, and does not exhaust or diminish the industrial resources of the country, nor does it endanger its freedom by placing a great military power in the hands of one man, or a set of men, whose ambition or selfishness might lead them to usurp the Government and abridge or destroy the liberties of the peo- ple, and it far more advances the National defense by possessing a greater numerical strength than any standing army which any nation could sustain.
It is obvious that the maintaining of a large standing army is not in keeping with the spirit of American Institutions, nor will it ever receive the sanction of the people. The country will be willing only to support such a permanent military force in time of peace, as may be absolutely necessary for protecting its frontier, and aiding the civil authority in the enforcement of the law. Therefore the main military strength of the Re- public will be in its militia, and such being the case, the maintaining thereof should be a fixed policy in every State in the Union, and to be effective and reliable, should be permanently and systematically organized.
It has been fully demonstrated during the late civil war, that a well or- ganized and equipped militia is of the utmost importance, not only to the General Government, but to a State itself, being relied upon as the main national defense against foreign invasion and civil war, and to defend the State against hostile attacks on its borders, to maintain the enforcement of its laws, when necessery, and to guarantee the peace, and protect the lives and property of its people. Therefore, it is unquestionably the in- terest of the State of Michigan to be prepared promptly and successfully to meet emergencies of that nature, by a complete enrollment and organ- ization of its militia, and by maintaining a small active force of State troops, well armed and equipped, ready for service on the shortest notice possible.
167
ADJUTANT GENERAL.
On the outbreak of the recent rebellion, few Sta tes were in a condition to render much service to the Government by their militia, and the greater proportion of them not any. This condition of affairs rose from the de- fectiveness of their militia system, and the little attention that had been given to the proper organizazion of their State Militia or State Troops.
Yet what little had been done in this respect, proved to be of infinite value to the Government, as it is generally conceded, that to the organi- zation of State Troops, the Nation was indebted at that time, for the safety and preservation of its Capitol. The non-effective condition of the militia of the various States, was, to a certain extent, excused by the country, for the reason that there had been but little, if any, indications of a foreign war, for a long period of years, and a rebellion against the Government had not been thought of, hence the States had been unthink- ingly lulled into a state of security, although unwarranted in history. By the inauguration of the rebellion, and during its progress, however, that idea of security has been fully exploded, and a lesson has been taught by experience, and at a great cost, that it is necessary in peace to prepare for war, and that this maxim should be adhered to at all times. As it is ques- tionable how far States will be held excusable hereafter, in view of the General Government trusting and depending upon them for action and preparation in this matter, if not found ready on all occasions, and under all circumstances to respond to the call of the country, with their propor- tion of well organized and equipped militia for the defense of the Nation, it behooves them to give their attention to this matter. Undoubtedly many of the States will be prepared, but should any be found deficient in this respect in any future contingency, it will place them as States, in a very unfavorable position before the country and the world, one in which it is hoped Michigan will not be found, as she can ill afford to lose her de- servedly high reputation acquired during the past struggle, by any failure on her part of this description.
The fund arising from the operation of the law referred to, would be ser - viceable, and would give, it is supposed, a sufficient degree of encourage- ment to induce the organization of Volunteer companies. To the extent of the means realized from the tax provided, the law was so amended as to permit the fund to be appropriated to the purchase of a limited supply of uniform tor each Company; as it now is, it does not provide for this; the rent of armories and the pay for the care of arms, and some other contingent allowances, being all that companies organizing under it are entitled to. The amount of expenses allowed the three companies now mustered into the State service is very small, consequently the fund is ac- cumulating for very little purpose, and therefore should be made applica- ble to, and expended in effecting the objects for which it was intended, the payment of all necessary and proper expenses to encourage and sustain, to a certain extent, Volunteer companies. It is of very little use to im-
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
pose and collect a tax for the purpose of aiding in supporting an organiza- tion of State troops, and having the law appropriating the fund arising therefrom, so limited in its provisions for distribution, as to prohibit the formation of companies to such an extent, that the fund becomes almost useless in that respect. On the 7th day of August, 1863, an order was issued from this Department, for the purpose of giving notice that a cer- tain number of companies of infantry, would be accepted and mustered into the service of the State, under the law, as State troops.
Under that order three companies only have been accepted and mustered. At the time of its publication, it was thought that many companies would be organized, and that in a short time a sufficient number would be ac- cepted and mustered, to enable the authorities to organize Regiments; but so far the project has not met with the success that was anticipated, and its failure is attributed to the illiberality of the law. The law makes pro- vision for them to be supplied by the State after their muster into service, with arms, equipments and armories, and transportation to and from places of rendezvous, when under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, and not exceeding thirty-five cents per day for subsistence; but before companies can be mustered, their members have to provide themselves with a uniform, at their own expense, thereby submitting them to an outlay which they consider should be borne by the State.
If it is intended by the State to raise and sustain a creditable force of State Troops, the law should be amended so as to provide the necessary uniform at the State expense, as it is very evident that until such pro- vision is made there can be but little hope of success in the matter. In doing this it would not necessarily be required to keep a stock of cloth or clothing on hand, but the law might provide a fixed sum in money as the allowance for each man, and with it the Quartermaster General could pur- chase uniforms and issue them to companies, only as fast as they complied with the requirements of the law, and were entitled to them. The cloth- ing so furnished could be held as State property, the commanding officer of each company being responsible for it, and it could be kept in the com- pany armory, so that it should not be improperly used, and only worn by the members of a company when on duty.
I therefore most respectfully submit to Your Excellency, the following recommendations :
That you direct the enrollment and organization, (without arms, equip- ment, or uniform,) of the entire Militia force of the State.
That the State be divided into four Districts, for enrolled Militia, each of which shall be properly divided into Regiments, Brigades and Divisions, and when so districted and divided, shall be officered under your direc- tion, in accordance with existing State Law.
That an active Militia force of State Troops be organized, to consist, at present, of one Division of two Brigades, composed of three Regiments of
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ADJUTANT GENERAL.
Infantry each; one Regiment to be formed in each Congressional District of the State, to be made up of volunteers from the enrolled Militia thereof, to be organized, armed and equipped, according to the prescribed law for State Troops.
That in addition to the ordinary arms for Infantry Regiments of State Troops, each Regiment be furnished with one of the Parrot Guns, with horse-equipments for the same, now in the possession of the State. Said guns and equipments to be kept at the Headquarters of Regiments, respec- tively, under charge of each Regimental commander, who should be held responsible for the proper care and good condition of the same.
That the present Militia Law be so amended that each non-commissioned officer, musician and private of the active Militia or State Troops, upon being properly enrolled and mustered into service, shall be furnished, at the expense of the State, with a certain amount of uniform, not to exceed $25 00, by the Quartermaster's Department, upon the requisition of the company commander, and if assigned to a Regiment, countersigned by the commander thereof; such uniform to be conformable with that prescribed by the State Military Board, with the approval of the Commander-in-Chief. Every uniform so furnished to be deposited in the Armories of the several companies, and held as the property of the State, by the Quartermaster General, and not to be worn by the members of said companies, except when on duty. The company commanders to be made responsible for the care and safety of the same.
That it also be so amended that the Assistant Adjutant General of a Division and of each Brigade of State Troops, and the Adjutants and Quartermasters of Regiments thereof, for their services in making Returns and other papers, shall each receive twenty-five dollars annually in ad- dition to such allowances as they may be entitled to as State Troops under the law, such pay to be forfeited for default in making such returns as may be required by proper authority under published regulations or orders.
It is perhaps proper to state that the general militia law presented to Congress at its last session provided for the organization of one Infantry regiment of active militia in each Congressional District of every State in the Union, and did not provide for the organization of any other kind of troops. The State to furnish clothing and such pay and subsistence as might be necessary while on duty during stated days in each year, and the United States to provide the arms and equipments. So it will be per- ceived that in carrying into effect the foregoing recommendations, the State will only be doing that which is believed to be actually necessary, but will be making preparations to comply with a general militia law which will undoubtedly be enacted by Congress on the first favorable opportunity.
. .
The income from the tax now collected yearly amounts to nearly twenty thousand dollars, (that for 1866 being $19,628 70,) and will of course be increasing with the' increase of population in the State, and it is safe to,
22 1
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
estimate the tax of 1867, 8 and 9, at $20,000 00, which would place the fund at the end of the year 1869, less the small amount necessary for current expenses, at $120,113 12, as follows:
Amount now on hand to the credit of the fund. .. .$40,484 42
Tax for 1866, 19,628 70
Estimated Tax for 1867, 20,000 00
" 1868, 20,000 00
66 “ $ 1869, 20,000 00
.
$120,113 12
The following is an approximate statement of the cost of six minimum Regiments for the first year, including clothing, the arms and equipments be- ing furnished by the Government:
For Uniform for six minimum Regiments of 400 men each, 2,400, at $25 00, $60,000 00 For Armories for sixty Companies, $200, 12,000 00
. For care of arms for sixty Companies, $50, 3,000 00 For transportation, subsistence, and expenses of encampments during the year 1867, $1,000 for each Regiment, 6,000 00
81,000 00
$39,113 19
Thus leaving a balance of $39,113 12 to sustain the organization during the years 1868 and 9, and for contingent expenses.
From the above statement it is evident that the fund realized from th tax for maintaining State Troops would be to a certain extent sufficient t secure and support the formation of a Regiment in each Congressiona District of the State, provided it should be made applicable as herei recommended.
The foregoing report has been made with the hope that your Excellenc "will give the subject your attention and make such recommendations t "the Legislature relative thereto, in your coming annual message, as yo may think proper, and that you will deem it consistent with your ow action in the matter, to submit this report to the Legislature for the consideration.
I bave the honor to be, Very respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
JNO. ROBERTSON, Adjutant General Mich.
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ADJUTANT GENERAL.
MISCELLANEOUS.
With the surrender of the Rebel Army, under General Lee, on the 9th of April, 1865, and the subsequent surrender of General Johnston's Army in the same month, the war which had been waged against the Union, ended, and soon after the troops belonging to the various States began to leave the field.
The Michigan troops being among the first to receive or- ders, the Twentieth Regiment arrived in the State June 4th, 1865, and others followed in succession, up to June 10th, 1866, when the 3d and 4th Regiments of Infantry reached the State, being the last belonging to the State to leave the field.
On the 14th of June, 1865, you issued the following Procla- mation of welcome and thanks to the returning Michigan Troops, which properly belongs to the military history of the State, and is therefore inserted herein:
Michigan Soldiers-Officers and Men :
" In the hour of National danger and peril, when the safety- when the very existence-of your country was imperiled, you left your firesides, your homes and your families, to defend the Government and the Union. But the danger is now averted, the struggle is ended, and victory-absolute and complete victory-has perched upon your ban- ners. You have conquered a glorious peace, and are thereby permitted to return to your homes and to the pursuits of tranquil industry, to which I now welcome you ! And, not only for myself, but for the people of the State, do I tender you a most cordial greeting.
CITIZEN SOLDIERS ! Recognized by the institutions of the land as freemen -as American citizens, that proudest of all political distinctions-and possessing, in; common with every citizen, the elective franchise, which confers the right to an exercise of the sovereign power, you had become 80 identified and engrossed with the National enterprise and prosperity derived from the untrammeled privileges of republican freedom, that the enemies of those institutions, in their ignorance of the principles upon which they are founded, madly and foolishly believed that you were des- titute of manhood. They supposed you had become so debased by con- tinned toil as to be devoid of every noble impulse. They imagined that you were cowards and cravens, and that by the threatenings alone of a despotic and tyrannical oligarchy you could not only be subdued, but
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