USA > Michigan > Annual report of the Adjutant General of the State of Michigan for the year, Vol. I > Part 14
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
robbed of your inheritance of freedom-of your birthright of liberty- those glorious and priceless legacies from your patriotic sires. Through the vilest treachery and the foulest robbery, these wicked and perjured men, whom their country had not only greatly benefitted and favored, but highly honored, believed that by despoiling your country of its reputation, of its treasures, of its means of protection and defense, they had ensured your degradation and defeat.
Fatal mistake! and terrible its consequences to those wicked and forsworn men, as well as to their deluded and blinded votaries !
SOLDIERS-You have taught a lesson, not only to the enemies of your. country, but to the world, which will never be forgotten. With your brave comrades from every loyal State in this great and redeemed Union, you have met these vaunting and perjured traitors and rebels, face to face, upon the field of battle, in the front of strongly fortified intrenchments, and before almost impregnable ramparts; and by your skiil and valor- your persistent efforts and untiring devotion to the sacred cause of free- dom, of civilization, and of mankind-you have proved to those arch criminals, and their spmpathizers, that it is not necessary for men to be serfs and slaves in order to be soldiers, but that in the hands of free and enlightened citizens, enjoying the advantages and blessings conferred by free institutions, the temple of Liberty will ever be safe, and its escutcheon forever unsullied.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF MICHIGAN-PATRIOTIC CITIZEN-SOLDIERS-Although you return to us bearing honorable marks of years of toil, of hardship, of privation, and of suffering-many of you with bodies mutilated, maimed and scarred-mourning the loss of brave comrades ruthlessly slain on the field of battle, tortured to death by inches, or foully murdered in cold blood, not with the weapon of a soldier, but by the lingering pangs o' starvation and exposure-yet you will in the future enjoy the proud satis faction of having aided in achieving for your country her second inde: pendence-in vindicating the national honor and dignity-in overthrowing that despotic and unholy power which has dared to raise its hideous head on this continent for the purpose of trampling upon and destroying tha inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which is the birthright of all-and finally, in placing the Union, established by the blood of our fathers, upon an imperishable foundation. You will alsopos sess the rich inheritance of meriting the continued plaudits, and of enjoy ing the constant gratitude of a free people, whose greatness you hav preserved in its hour of most imminent peril.
In the name of the people of Michigan, I thank you for the honor you have done us by your valor, your soldierly bearing, your invincible cour age, everywhere displayed, whether upon the field of battle, in the peril ous assault, or in the deadly breach; for your patience under the fatigue and privations and sufferings incident to war, and for your discipline and
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ADJUTANT GENERAL.
ready obedience to the orders of your superiors. We are proud in believ- ing that when the history of this rebellion shall have been written, where all have done well, none will stand higher on the roll of fame than the officers and soldiers sent to the field from the loyal and patriotic State of Michigan.
L. S.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of the State, at the Cap- itol, in the city of Lansing, this 14th day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-ninth.
HENRY H. CRAPO.
By His Excellency the Governor:
JAMES B. PORTER, Sec'y of State.
From the commencement of the recent war, and up to its close, fears were seriously entertained by many, regarding the effect that was then supposed might be produced upon society by the return to the State, of so many men who had been en- gaged in a pursuit which was considered as likely to engender irregular, improvident and dissolute habits, leading to a reck- less and lawless course of conduct, which would tend to bring about the most deplorable results, and many prophesied that to a great extent debauchery and idleness, with the consequent amount of crime, would characterize their release from military restraint. But the period of their release has come and gone, and over a year has since glided by, and those fears have been unrealized, and the prophesies unfulfilled. Over seventy thou- sand of these brave men who had been exposed for nearly four years, to the irregularities and temptations incident to camp life, and to the harshness and usual demoralizing ten- dencies of war, have returned quietly to their homes and fam- ilies, in the State, evidently better men than when they left it; possessing more intelligence and experience, greater manli- ness, with stronger patriotism and more devoted loyalty, proved by the strongest test, and have assumed their former industrial avocations, passing so smoothly and quietly into so- ciety, taking their places in the community so peacefully as to make the occurrence almost imperceptible, and at the same ime receiving the fullest confidence of their fellow citizens,
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
and the highest degree of respect and gratitude for their gallant and valuable services rendered the nation.
Next of interest to the return to the State of the men them- selves, who have so nobly established and sustained its reputa- tion in the field, and so conspicuously aided in the salvation of the nation, is the return of the colors under which their ser- vices were so bravely and faithfully performed, and so success- fully consummated.
These tattered, but honored banners, are the cherished and venerated emblems of great public services rendered by the soldiers of the State to the Republic, and are universally ac- knowledged as the symbols of Regimental bravery, individual courage, loyalty and patriotism, and are recognized as tokens of fraternal associations, formed and cemented in trying times, and under most extraordinary circumstances, enduring while life lasts.
They are, aside from that, indelibly stamped on the hearts of the people, the most forcible mementos of the gallant Reg- iments that so heroically upheld, and so persistently stood by them and the country, even in the darkest days of the war.
They were as little specs in the long lines of the great Amer- ican Armies, yet they were often watched in the advancing columns, with intense anxiety, but with strong confidence and hope by the greatest Generals of the land.
To bear then aloft was a signal for rebel bullets, often bring- ing swift and certain death, but they were never trailed in the dust, nor lacked a gallant bearer. On them many a noble son of Michigan has looked his last look, and bade farewell to life.
On the fourth of July last, the great national birthday, the Colors referred to were formally presented, through Your Ex- cellency, to the State, and are now deposited in its Archives, there to be sacredly kept and carefully preserved. Around them will cluster hallowed memories of Regimental bravery and State pride, of National grandeur and prowess, of indi- vidual heroism and patriotism, of fallen comrades and family bereavements, and of a nation saved.
175"
ADJUTANT GENERAL.
It is proper and just to state that the action of the State " authorities was cheerfully aided, and most liberally sustained by the citizens of Detroit, on that occasion, and that the affair was graced and honored by the largest and most magnificent celebration ever had in the State, which was participated in by the most numerous assembly of people, from all parts of the State, ever congregated within its borders.
The invitation extended by the Governor to the soldiers of Michigan, to be present, was responded to in keeping with the great love which they have always borne for the old flag, under- all circumstances, and they rallied in great numbers under the war-worn folds of their old banner as in times gone by, and one hundred and twenty-three colors were presented, belong- ing to the various organizations, as follows:
1st Regiment Infantry, 3 months,
1
Ist Regiment Infantry, 3 years,
7
2d Regiment Infantry, 3 years, .
2
3d Regiment Infantry, 3 years, reorganized,
2
4th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, reorganized,
1
5th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, .
5
6th Regiment Heavy Artillery, 3 years, 2
7th Regiment Infantry, 3 years,
1
8th Regiment Infantry, 3 years,
9th Regiment Infantry, 3 years,
3
10th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 2
11th Regiment Infantry, 3 years,
1
11th Regiment Infantry, 1 year, reorganized,
2
12th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 4
13th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, .
2
14th Regiment Infantry, 3 years,
4
15th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 4 16th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 4
17th Regiment Infantry, 3 years,
ne
4
18th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, .
2
19th Regiment Infantry, 3 years,
1
-
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
20th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 2
21st Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 4
22d Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 2
23d Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 2
24th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 7
1 25th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 2
26th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 5
27th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 5
28th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 2
29th Regiment Infantry, 3 years, 2
30th Regiment Infantry, 1 year,. 2
1st Regiment Engineers and Mechanics, 3 years, 4
1st Regiment Sharp-Shooters, 3 years, 1
1st Regiment Cavalry, 3 years, . 2
3d Regiment Cavalry, 3 years, 1
4th Regiment Cavalry, 3 years, 1
5th Regiment Cavalry, 3 years, 1
6th Regiment Cavalry, 3 years, 1
7th Regiment Cavalry, 3 years, 3
8th Regiment Cavalry, 3 years, 1
9th Regiment Cavalry, 3 years, 1
10th Regiment Cavalry, 3 years, 1
11th Regiment Cavalry, 3 years,. 1
Battery " B," Ist Regiment Light Artillery, 3 years, 1
Battery " E," Ist Regiment Light Artillery, 3 years, 1
Battery " F," Ist Regiment Light Artillery, 3 years, 1
Battery " H," 1st Regiment Light Artillery, 3 years, 2
Battery " I," 1st Regiment Light Artillery, 3 years, 1
Battery " K," 1st Regiment Light Artillery, 3 years, 2
14th Battery, 3 years, 1
1st Regiment Colored Infantry, (102d U. S.,) 3 years,. 3
After the presentation the returned troops partook of a substantial repast prepared for them by the citizens, and were waited upon at the tables by over three hundred ladies and & number of gentlemen.
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ADJUTANT GENERAL
For the purpose of placing on record the proceedings of that uncommon and interesting event, the following documents, in connection therewith, are included in this report: -
MILITARY DEPARTMENT, MICHIGAN, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Detroit, May 19th, 1866.
[CIRCULAR. ]
General Order No. 94, issued by the War Department, May fifteenth, 1865, directs that the volunteer regiments, returning to their respec- tive States for final discharge, shall deposit the regimental colors with the Chief Mustering Officer, to be held by him subject to the order of the Adjutant General of the Army.
Under date of June 13th, 1865, the War Department authorized the Chief Mustering Officer of this State, to turn over to the Governor, at his request, all the regimental colors of Michigan Regiments, then in his charge, or that might thereafter come into his possession, under the provisions of the order referred to.
His Excellency the Governor, having with much pleasure and satisfac- tion, received information from the War Department, that all the Michigan regiments now in the field, are under orders for muster out, and anticipa- ting that all of them will have returned to the State before the coming 4th of July, has determined upon that day for the formal presentation at Detroit, to him on behalf of the State, of the colors of the Michigan troops.
It is expected that all the officers and soldiers who have been connected with Michigan Regiments, Batteries, or Independent Companias, who can make it convenient to do so, will be present.
At a proper time, previous to the day selected, a circular will be pub- lished, giving the programme in detail, including such other information as may be necessary on the subject.
It is hoped that the various railroad companies will, in keeping with their usual liberality on such occasions, issue half fare tickets to all officers and soldiers who have served in Michigan Regiments, and to citizens generally, who may visit the city to be present at the presentation.
In view of the importance and novelty of that interesting occasion, and the returned Michigan troops being deserving of so much consideration, as well as the reminiscences of the day itself, it is earnestly hoped and most respectfully suggested that preparations should be made by the city authorities, and the citizens generally, such as will ensure a becoming welcome to the Michigan officers and soldiers who may be present on that day from all parts of the State, as an acknowledgment of their valuable and gallant services to the Nation, and of the great honor they have conferred thereby, on this State.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
The appropriateness of setting apart the national birth-day for that pur- pose will be fully recognized and appreciated .. Its hallowed memories will remind the patriots present of the gallant struggle of their patriotic fore- fathers in establishing the Government, in the defense and maintenance of which they have been so successfully instrumental.
The State will be highly honored in receiving from the Government on that great national day, the cherished evidences of the manhood, courage and patriotism of its soldiers, and of their eminently gallant and meritori- ous services to the Republic in its great and successful battle for national existence, and it will proudly accept and faithfully retain and preserve them as sacred momentos thereof, and of the loyalty and patriotism of its people.
The congregated emblems of National and State prowess, and of regi- mental bravery and fraternal associations there presented, will revive in the mind of every soldier recollections of great and gallant deeds, of days and nights fraught with anxiety, doubt, danger and death, of sacrifices to patriotism, of hair breadth escapes, of attacks, of repulses, of sad defeats, of glorious victories, of long and weary marches, of hunger, thirst and cold, and of sorrow and sadness for fallen comrades; but all will look upon them with reverential pride, and recognize them as having been their guiding star in many brilliant but sanguinary conflicts, having followed them in the victorious charge of the assaulting column, having from them received silent directions when all orders were lost in the din and confusion of contending armies, and having under their tattered but glorious stars and stripes, battled long and bravely for the right.
JOHN ROBERTSON,
Adjutant General.
MILITARY DEPARTMENT MICHIGAN, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Detroit, June 11, 1866. -
[CIRCULAR. ]
In accordance with a circular issued from this office under date of the 19th ultimo, the presentation of the colors of all the returned Michigan regiments and batteries to the Governor of the State, will be made at Detroit on July 4th next.
A cordial invitation to be present is hereby extended by the Governor, to all officers and enlisted men, who have at any time during the war, been mustered into the service of the United States in Michigan organizations, or who have otherwise served as such in the Army or Navy, and who have been honorably discharged from the service, and it is hoped and expected, that all such as can make it convenient to do so, will be present on that interesting occasion.
1
179
ADJUTANT GENERAL
For the purpose of honoring the day and the occasion, and giving the people of the State who may be there assembled, an opportunity to witness the emblems of our State prowess, and of the patriotism, bravery and gallant services of our volunteers, then presented, an arrangement for a procession is made and will be carried into effect.
The procession will be under the direction of Gen. James E. Pittman, Inspector General of the State, who is selected and appointed by the Gov- ernor, as Chief Marshal of the day, with power to appoint such a staff as he may require to assist him in that duty.
The presentation of the colors will be made on behalf of the Regiments, by Major General O. B. Willcox, who has been selected by the Governor for that service, being the first Colonel who left the State for the field in command or' a Michigan Regiment.
The returned troops will be commanded by Brevet Brigadier General Wil- liam L. Stoughton, the ranking Colonel now in the State amongst those who belonged to their regiments at the time of the muster out of their re- spective organizations; and he will select from his command such a staff as he may deem necessary.
The formation will be in two ranks by Regiments in line according to their numerical designation in the respective arms of the service, and organized into Divisions.
Each Regiment will be commanded by the ranking officer present on that occasion, not otherwise assigned herein, who belonged to it at the time of the muster out of the organization, and he will be determined by the officers thereof after their arrival on the ground designated for the formation of the Regiments.
The 13th and 14th Batteries and separate Companies, will be commanded respectively by the ranking officer present of each, in the same manner as provided by Regiments, and the other officers thereof on the right of each, same as in Regiments.
Divisions will be commanded respectively by one of the four ranking Colonels, now in the State, not otherwise assigned herein, who belonged to their Regiments at the time of the muster out of their respective organi- zations, and they will each appoint two aids to assist them in the performance of that service.
All General Officers and General Officers by Brevet, who have been appointed from Michigan Regiments, and all others who have served as officers in the Regular or Volunteer service in the Army or Navy, not otherwise assigned herein, will take position on the right of the First Division.
All officers present of each Regiment, not otherwise assigned a place by this Circular, will take their position on the right of their respective Regi- ments in two ranks, according to rank, from right to left, and on the same line as the enlisted men. .
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
The Divisions will be organized as follows, and the Regiments herein designated, will take their position in them in the following order, from right to left.
FIRST DIVISION-BREVET MAJ. GEN. R. H. G. MINTY, COMMANDING.
Ist Regiment Engineers and Mechanics.
1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th Regiments Cavalry.
Companies H, I and L, Merrill Horse.
Ist Regiment Light Artillery-Batteries A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L and M, and 13th and 14th Batteries Light Artillery.
1st Regiment Sharp-Shooters.
Companies C, I, and K, 1st U. S. Sharp-Shooters.
Company B, 2d U. S. Sharp-Shooters-
Michigan Companies that have served as such in Regiments of other States.
Soldiers belonging to this State who have served in Regiments of other States, not in Michigan Companies.
Michigan soldiers and sailors who have served in the regular or volunteer army and navy.
SECOND DIVISION-BREVET MAJ. GEN. H. A. MORROW COMMANDING.
1st (3 months,) 1st (3 years,) 2d, 3d, 3d (reorganized,) 4th, 4th (reorganized, ) 5th, 6th (Heavy Artillery, ) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th Regiments Infantry.
THIRD DIVISION-BREVET BRIG. GEN. O. L. SPAULDING COMMANDING.
11th, 11th (reorganized, ) 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th Regiments Infantry.
FOURTH DIVISION-BREVET BRIG. GEN. HEBER LE FAVOUR COMMANDING.
21st, 22d, 23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th Regiments Infantry; 1st Regiment (102 U. S.) Michigan Colored Troops.
The interval between Regiments will be three paces, and between Divisions six paces.
The color bearers of each Regiment will be selected by the commanding officer thereof, and they will be placed with the colors on the right of the enlisted men of the Regiment and in the same line.
The colors of all the Batteries and separate Companies will be carried on the right of each in the same manner as prescribed for Regiments, and the color bearers thereof will be selected by the commanding officer of each.
It is presumed that some colors may be in the hands of individuals throughout the State, and as it is desirable that they should all be in their proper places on that day, it is respectfully suggested that persons having them in charge should send them to this office prior to that time.
181
ADJUTANT GENERAL.
It is deemed impracticable for many considerations to require the Cavalry arm to be mounted. Therefore the order of procession, so far as the returned troops are concerned, will be on foot, except the chief officer in command of them and his staff, and the commanders of divisions and their aids, who are required to be mounted.
For the accommodation of disabled officers and soldiers who may be unable to walk, carriagas will be provided, and a place set apart for them in the procession.
It is desirable, and is recommended that all officers and soldiers should, so far as practicable, appear in uniform, but at the same time it will not be regarded as a requisite to admission in the procession, nor to a participation in other of the ceremonies of the day.
The Superintendents of the various railroads in the State, terminating in Detroit, and of the railroads in the State connecting therewith, have generously consented to issue to all officers, soldiers or citizens who may pass over their lines for the purpose of being present on the occasion, return tickets free, that is, they will charge full fare coming to Detroit, and will give them return tickets without charge.
The Chief Marshal herein appointed will prepare and publish prior to the day set apart for the presentation, and at a proper time to give all interested sufficient information on the subject, a programme giving in detail all necessary instructions and directions required for fully carrying into effect the provisions of this circular.
1
JNO. ROBERTSON, Adjutant General.
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 13th, 1865, BRIG. GEN. B. H. HILL, Chief Must'g Officer :
You are authorized by the Secretary of War to turn over to the Governor of the State, at such time as he may name, all regimental colors now in your charge, under section seven, (7,) paragraph five, (5,) General Orders number ninety-four, (94,) current series. All colors hereafter taken charge of by you will be turned over in like manner. Please acknowledge this.
(Signed,) THOMAS M. VINCENT, A. A. G. A true copy.
JOHN H. KNIGHT,
Brt. Major U. S. A., Chief M. O., Mich.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
OFFICE CHIEF MUSTERING OFFICER, Detroit, Mich., June 19th, 1866. 5
Brig. Gen'l JOHN ROBERTSON, Adj't Gen'l, State of Mich., Detroit, Mich .:
GENERAL-All the regiments sent from the State of Michigan, to put down the rebellion of the Southern States, having now been mustered out of service, paid off and disbanded, the time has arrived when I should, in compliance with orders from the War Department, deliver to the Governor of the State, the flags turned over to me by the officers of the disbanded regiments.
I have the honor, this day, to deliver to you (you being at the head of the State Military Bureau and its chief officer, ) all of them in my possession.
Please find a list of the flags inclosed. In turning them over to you I am sensibly reminded that they are the flags under which so many brave and successful deeds have been performed-so many valuable lives given up in the cause of the Union and republican liberty, and such beneficial results obtained.
In the history of the world we are unable to find where mankind was engaged in a better or more glorious cause, or where the results have been more important to the cause of humanity and good government; and if the sons of Michigan have been called upon to give up their lives, and part with the dearest earthly objects, those whose immediate loss has been great thereby, have a sweet consolation in the fact, that their blood is the seed from which will grow up fruits dear to succeeding millions of freemen, and who will not fail to render that devout homage to their memory whenever they shall gather around the Altars of Liberty to offer up thanks to Him who is great over all, for the glorious heritage which those gallant defenders have so permanently secured. They will, therefore, live in their deeds, whilst a single pillar of the Republic stands. Those who, under these flags, survived the terrible battles which have been fought during the late rebellion, in the cause of our great and powerful government, will see and enjoy the rich fruits of their heroic deeds, and with full hearts will join their fellow countrymen in rendering tribute to the memory of their comrades who fell in the bloody strife. And when all who have par- ticipated in the war for the Union have passed away, succeeding genera- tions will catch up the songs of praise now being sung over the glories achieved, and will chant them with renewed and grateful strains through all time to come.
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