USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. I > Part 69
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Soon afterward the Ringgold Light Artillery was organized, with Stephen G. Champlin as captain, and about this time the three companies were mustered into the Fifty-first Uniformed Michigan militia, of which Daniel McConnell was colonel, Orville C. Hartwell was lieutenant-colonel, and S. G. Champlin and Ammon Wilson, majors. These three companies were out on parade for review, Jan. 7, 1858. Another company, the Grand Rapids Rifles, composed mostly of German citizens, was organized in 1859, and this as well as the Valley City Guards, when the war with the South broke out, went with unbroken ranks into the Union army. So much for military matters and the martial spirit prevailing in Grand Rapids previous to the coming on of the Civil war, in 1861.
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THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD.
On April 15, 1861, the day after the fall of Fort Sumter and the day of President Lincoln's first call for troops, a war meeting was held in Luce's Hall, corner of Monroe and Ottawa streets, addressed by Col. A. T. McReynolds and others. The hall was filled to over- flowing, and a spirit of intense patriotism was manifested. The per- vading sentiment was to the effect that the Union must be preserved at all hazards and that the people of this county and valley would come to the front to a man, if need be, armed and equipped, for the support of the National Government.
One week later another meeting was held and the city was aglow with patriotic ardor. On April 16 Governor Blair issued a call for volunteers to fill Michigan's quota and the work of enlisting was at once begun. Grand Rapids was not assigned a company in the First regiment, of which Col. John C. Robinson, then a captain in the United States army, was given command. Enlistments and company organizations followed in rapid succession all over the State, and while no completed organization from Kent county was in the three- months' service, there were a goodly number of enlistments from Grand River Valley in the different companies of the regiment. The professions, merchants, mechanics, farmer boys and laborers, all were imbued with the same spirit and promptly laid aside their several vocations and joined in the supreme effort to preserve the Union of States. Gentlemen of the cloth laid aside their shepherd's crooks and went to the front in various capacities. During the four years of bloody warfare Michigan met every call for troops in advance of the time limit, and Kent county was always among the first to respond with her quota.
While the "boys" were at the front the citizens at home were not idle, and the devoted mothers, wives, sisters and sweethearts, imbued with the same spirit which had taken their loved ones from them, assisted in organizing varied relief associations. There was outward show of sympathy and interest during the first few months, but by the following year, after the disaster of the Peninsular campaign, mat- ters settled down to a war basis and sentiment was banished in the interest of helpful needs. Public and private donations to the Fed- eral cause were kept up until the final capitulation at Appomattox.
It is not possible to trace the record of all of Kent county's valiant soldiers through the changing fortunes of four years of bloody war; neither would space permit, were it possible. Without disparagement to the heroic services of any, it shall be the purpose of these pages to mention the organizations, which, as a whole, were more closely connected with Kent county than other military organizations. While other regiments may have achieved equal honors on the bloody fields, it is morally certain that none surpassed those hereinafter mentioned in the performance of stsern duty, and in which this county was so represented.
The Third Michigan infantry was organized at Grand Rapids, in April and May, 1861, and was mustered in on June 10. The Valley City Guards tendered their services, were accepted, and formed a company in this regiment. It left the State on June 13 and was at- tached to Richardson's brigade, Tyler's division, and McDowell's I-34
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corps. It was engaged at Blackburn's Ford and Bull Run, and a de- tachment was in the engagement at the Occoquan River. The regi- ment encamped near Alexandria during the winter, under command of Colonel Champlin, Colonel McConnell having resigned, and in the Spring was assigned to the Third brigade, First division, and Third corps. It participated in the battle of Williamsburg and at Fair Oaks lost 30 killed, 124 wounded, and 15 missing. In the Seven Days' battles it fought at Savage Station, Peach Orchard, Charles City Cross-roads, and Malvern Hill, July 1. Prince de Joinville, speaking of the brigade, said of its work at Fair Oaks: "It advanced firm as a wall into the midst of the disordered mass * *
* and did more by its example than the most powerful reinforcement." The regiment was engaged at Groveton, again sustaining losses, and was at Chan- tilly on Sept. 1. It then was on the march and in camp at various points in Maryland and Virginia, finally going into camp at Falmouth, on Oct. 23. It was under fire three days at the first battle of Fred- ericksburg, and then encamped near Falmouth until May 1, 1863. It fought at Chancellorsville, losing 63, and at Gettysburg, losing 41. It then moved to Manassas Gap and was engaged at Wapping Heights. It was ordered to New York at the time of the draft, in August, but returned to Culpepper in September; was in a skirmish at Auburn
Heights, in October ; and in the battle at Kelly's Ford on the Rappa- hannock, the following month. It took part in the Mine Run cam- paign, engaged the enemy at Locust Grove, and at Mine Run charged the enemy's works, driving him from three lines of rifle pits. The regiment went into camp at Brandy Station on Dec. 2, where 207 of the men re-enlisted and were furloughed home, rejoining the regiment in mid-winter. On May 4, 1864, the regiment encamped at Chancellors- ville, being then in the Second brigade, Third division, and Second corps, and in the Battle of the Wilderness it again sustained heavy loss. It fought at Todd's Tavern; participated in a successful charge at Spottsylvania, capturing a number of prisoners and two flags; was engaged at the North Anna, its losses in the engagements of May being 31 killed, 119 wounded, and 29 missing. It fought at Cold Harbor, and on June 9 the regiment, with the exception of the re- enlisted men and recruits, was ordered home for discharge. The re- maining officers and men were formed into a battalion of four com- panies and attached to the Fifth Michigan infantry. This regiment was mustered out at Detroit, June 20, 1864. Its total strength was 1,000, its loss by death 224. As soon as it was mustered out orders were issued to reorganize the regiment. This was done during the summer and it was mustered in at Grand Rapids on Oct. 15. It left the State, Oct. 20, reported at Nashville and was ordered to Decatur, Ala., where it was stationed during November, being in a small en- gagement on the 23d. It was then ordered to Fort Rosecrans, Murfreesboro. The pickets being forced in and the town possessed by Faulkner's brigade four companies of the Third joined other troops in a spirited engagement, repulsing the enemy. The regiment was in numerous small affairs and on Jan. 16, 1865, it moved to Huntsville, Ala., where it was assigned to the Third brigade, Third division, and Fourth army corps. It moved to Jonesboro, and was ordered to Nash- ville on April 20. On June 15 it was sent to Texas, reaching Green
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Lake on July 11, and on Sept. 12 it started for San Antonio, reaching there two weeks later. It engaged in. provost guard duty and during the winter two companies were on duty at Gonzales. The regiment was mustered out at Victoria, May 26, 1866.
The Eighth regiment of infantry was organized at Grand Rapids, in August, 1861, and was ordered to Fort Wayne, Detroit, arriving there, Sept. 16. It was mustered in, Sept. 23, and left the State, Sept. 27, and went into camp at Meridian Hill, near Washington, on the 30th. On Oct. 10 it joined the Second brigade, Expeditionary corps, under Gen. T. W. Sherman, and moved to Hilton Head by steamer, reaching there, Nov. 8, after a small engagement at Port Royal, S. C., the previous day. It moved to Beaufort on Dec. 6 and was under fire at Coosaw river and Port Royal Ferry. It was in camp at Gray's Hill and Beaufort during the month of January, 1862, on drill, picket, guard and reconnoitering duty until April 9, when it moved to Tybee Island, Ga., and was at the fall of Fort Pulaski. On April 16 seven companies embarked for Wilmington Island as an escort and were in a skirmish with the Thirteenth Georgia, 800 strong, routing it, but losing 11 killed and 34 wounded. The regiment was on drill and picket duty until June 1, was then attached to the First brigade, Second division, and participated in the assault on the works on James Island, losing 13 killed, 98 wounded, 35 captured and 36 missing, out of a total of 534. It was a dashing affair, but unsuccessful. The regi- ment moved for Newport News on July 5, and on Aug. 4 proceeded toward the upper Potomac. It was at the second battle of Bull Run; fought at Chantilly; was heavily engaged at South Mountain and Antietam; moved into Virginia again, in September, and was at Fal- mouth from Nov. 18 until Dec. 12. It was engaged at Fredericks- burg and then encamped near Falmouth until Feb. 13, 1863, and at Newport News until March 19. It was then stationed at Louisville and Lebanon, Ky., until June, and was in the siege of Vicksburg from June 22 until July 4. It was then engaged at Jackson, moved back to Milldale, near Vicksburg, on the 23d, and marched toward Crab Orchard early in August, reaching there on the 27th. On Sept. 10 it proceeded to Knoxville, Tenn., remained in camp from Sept. 26 to Oct. 3, and was in the Blue Springs affair on the 10th. It was en- gaged at Loudon and Lenoir's Station, Campbell's Station, and in the defense of Knoxville, where it was stationed at Fort Sanders. After the siege it encamped at Blain's Cross-roads, where 283 re-enlisted as veterans and were furloughed home through February. They rejoined the regiment in March with a large number of recruits. The regiment was engaged at the battle of the Wilderness, driving the enemy from their first line of rifle-pits, and losing 99 in killed, wounded and missing, among them Colonel Graves. At Spottsylvania it assaulted the enemy's entrenchments and lost 49. It was then successively en- gaged at the North Anna, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, and the first assaults at Petersburg, losing 49 men, and remained in the trenches constantly under fire until July 30, when it participated in the engagement following the explosion of the mine. It fought at the Weldon Railroad, Reams' Station, Poplar Spring Church, Pe- gram's Farm, Boydton Road, and Hatcher's Run, and was on picket and trench duty through the winter. It assisted in repelling the as-
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sault on Fort Stedman, in March, 1865, and was in the final assault of April 2. It was among the first to enter Petersburg, on April 3. It remained on guard duty until the 20th and took transports for Alexandria on the 21st. On May 9, the regiment entered Washington, was assigned to guard and patrol duty, and was mustered out, July 30, 1865.
The Thirteenth Michigan infantry was organized at Kalamazoo in the Fall and Winter of 1861. It was mustered in, Jan. 17, 1862, and left the State, Feb. 12. Col. Charles E. Stuart having resigned, Col. Michael Shoemaker took command. The regiment was ordered to Nashville, where it formed part of Wood's division of Buell's army, and was on the forced march for the relief of Grant at Shiloh, reach- ing the battlefield on the second day. It was then engaged at Farm- ington, Owl Creek, and in the siege of Corinth. On June 2 it moved eastward with Buell's army and was on fortification work and guard duty at Stevenson, Ala., from July 18 to Aug. 21, when the post of Stevenson was placed under Colonel Shoemaker's command, the Thir- teenth Michigan, with four companies from other regiments and Simonson's Indiana battery being left as a garrison, the post becom- ing a depot of supplies and for convalescents. On the 30th instruc- tions were received to leave, as the enemy was congregating in force. The following morning a force of Confederate cavalry was seen near the fort and scattered by the artillery, skirmishers following until they came upon a heavy force, which fired upon them. The fort was attacked at 10 o'clock, the fight continuing until 3 p. m. Reinforce- ments arrived at that time and all stores, baggage and convalescents were placed on trains for Nashville. The march for Nashville was begun at 5 p. m., the Thirteenth bringing up the rear and keeping off the enemy's attack. Left far in the rear by the other regiments and the artillery, the regiment joined its division on Sept. 3, after being given up for lost. Nashville was reached on the 6th. The regi- ment joined in pursuit of Bragg, was engaged at Munfordville, the battle of Perryville, and at Danville. It was stationed at Silver Springs, Tenn., in early November, and on the 10th joined the forces that drove the enemy from Lebanon. It was on train guard and picket duty at Nashville until Dec. 26, being engaged in the meantime at Gallatin and Mill Creek. It moved on Murfreesboro with the Third brigade, First division, Thomas' corps; was on the skirmish line and in the desperate engagements at Stone's River, losing 95 in killed, wounded and missing. When the right wing was being driven back in confusion on the first day of the battle the brigade to which the Thirteenth was attached advanced to the extreme right and formed in line of battle, becoming hotly engaged. The battery supporting the regiment opened rapid fire, but the other regiments of the brigade passed to the rear and thus forced it to take a new position, from which it was again driven with a loss of two guns. All the other regiments falling back a second time, the Thirteenth was left alone to meet two brigades. By a steady fire it checked the advance, dropped back to a better position, then charged the advancing bri- gades with bullet and bayonet, scattering them and regaining the lost ground, retaking the two captured guns and capturing 68 prisoners. This gallant act was accompanied by a loss of 35 per cent. of its
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numbers engaged. "Great praise is due this regiment," said the Nash- ville Union, "for the unparalleled gallantry, both of officers and men, who are said to have fought like heroes. Truly Michigan has reason to be proud of the troops she has sent out." The regiment was sta- tioned at Murfreesboro until June 24, 1863, when it was assigned to the First brigade, First division, Twentieth corps, and advanced on Tullahoma, following Bragg after his evacuation of that place. It was in an engagement at Pelham, in July, and was then in camp at Hills- boro until Aug. 16, when the army advanced into Georgia. It fought at Lookout Valley, was in the engagement at Chickamauga, making a charge and losing 107 in killed, wounded and missing. The regi- ment was organized as engineers in November, assigned to duty at Chattanooga, and participated at Missionary Ridge. It was sta- tioned at Chickamauga, in December and January, and there 173 re-enlisted as veterans and were furloughed home. They rejoined the regiment in April with over 400 recruits and the command was stationed at Lookout Mountain during the summer. It was relieved from duty as engineers, Sept. 25, 1864, and assigned to the Second brigade, First division, Fourteenth corps, joining it at Rome, Ga. It marched to the sea, reached Savannah on Dec. 16, and engaged in the siege. It made the campaign of the Carolinas, being engaged at Catawba River, Averasboro and Bentonville, sustaining in the last action a loss of 110, its commanding officer, Colonel Eaton, being among the killed. It was in the Grand Review at Washington, and was mustered out at Louisville on July 25, 1865.
The Fourteenth Michigan infantry was organized at Ypsilanti and was mustered in, Feb. 13, 1862. It left the State, April 17, and joined the army at Pittsburg Landing. It participated in the siege of Corinth during May and was engaged at Farmington. After the siege of Corinth it moved with Buell's army, being finally stationed at Tuscumbia, Ala. On Sept. 1 it joined in the march for Louisville, but was detached at Nashville and participated in the engagement at La Vergne, routing the Thirty-second Alabama, taking a fort and 100 prisoners. A few days later it was in the fight at Nashville, was also in a severe engagement at Brentwood and was stationed at Stone's River in November and part of December. It participated in the battle there after a thirty-mile march through mud and rain the previous night, and was then engaged in railroad guard and picket duty at Nashville, Franklin and Brentwood, during the Winter and Spring. Late in the summer the command was mounted, and in August Company C assisted in the capture of a notorious guerilla band commanded by Dick McCann, at Weems' Springs. In the affair at Lawrenceburg, in November, 120 men defeated 400 cavalry. Guer- illas were captured and scattered and many inhabitants induced to take the oath of allegiance while the regiment was stationed at Franklin and Columbia, during the Fall. It became a veteran regiment, Jan. 14, 1864, when 414 re-enlisted. The veterans of Companies C, F, G, I and K were furloughed in February and the others in March. The re-enlistments had been made with the understanding that the regi- ment would be continued as mounted infantry. This was disregarded and great dissatisfaction was felt, but the regiment was loyal and continued to perform its duties. It joined Sherman's army in the ad-
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vance through Georgia ; was engaged at Kennesaw Mountain; charged the rifle pits at the Chattahoochee River, capturing many prisoners; was active during the siege of Atlanta; carried a line of works at Jonesboro, capturing four pieces of artillery, four caissons, a general and his staff, the colors of the First Arkansas, and 300 men. It was engaged at Florence, Ala., in September; marched with Sherman to Savannah; and in the Carolina campaign was engaged at Fayetteville, where it drove the enemy two miles, capturing his camp and a large quantity of forage; at Averasboro and at Bentonville, where it charged the works, captured 270 prisoners, the colors of the Fortieth North Carolina, and 600 stands of arms. A later charge carried the works, 135 prisoners and the colors of the Fifty-fourth Virginia being taken. The next morning the regiment was in a desperate encounter for nearly an hour and in a continual skirmish all day. It encamped at Goldsboro from March 23 to April 10, and at the Cape Fear River until the surrender of Johnston's army. It participated in the Grand Review at Washington, was sent to Louisville in June, and was mus- tered out on July 18.
The Twenty-first Michigan infantry was organized at Ionia and was mustered in, Sept. 4, 1862. It left the State on Sept. 12, reported at Cincinnati, was sent to Louisville, entered upon the march through Kentucky, and was in the battle of Perryville, rendering efficient service. It reached Nashville, Nov. 12, and joined the advance toward Murfreesboro, being engaged at La Vergne, Stewart's Creek and at Stone's River, where it lost 17 killed, 85 wounded, and 37 missing. It was with Sill's brigade, Sheridan's division, which blocked the enemy and saved the army. It remained on picket and guard duty at Murfreesboro until June, when it moved to Tullahoma, and was afterward stationed at Cowan, Anderson's Station, and Bridgeport. On Sept. 2 it advanced into Georgia, participated in the battle of Chickamauga, with the same brigade as at Stone's River, and was in the hottest of the fight after the breaking of the line by Longstreet. Sheridan's division was forced back, but in good order, and by a charge drove the enemy back and regained its position. Being un- supported, it was again driven back, the Twenty-first losing 11 killed, 58 wounded, 35 missing and 3 prisoners. It was detached to form part of the engineer brigade and was engaged in that work during the battle of Missionary Ridge. It was stationed near Chattanooga until June, 1864, building a bridge and erecting storehouses. On June 11 it was ordered to Lookout Mountain, engaging in building hospitals, running mills, and on picket duty. It was relieved from engineer duty in September and joined Rousseau's forces in pursuit of Forrest into Alabama. It was ordered to Chattanooga and Dalton, Ga., in October, and received orders on Nov. 1 to join the Second brigade, First division, Fourteenth army corps, for the march to the sea. It moved to Milledgeville, then toward Augusta, but changed its course and marched to Savannah, where the regiment was in the trenches on short rations and without covering until Dec. 18. After the evacua- tion it refitted for the Carolina campaign, proceeded to Sister's Ferry, where it crossed the Savannah River, Feb. 5, was in the engagement at Averasboro, and was heavily engaged at Bentonville, losing 92 officers and men, killed and wounded, out of 230. It reached Golds-
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boro on March 25, after a sixty-four days' march, with an issue of but twelve days' rations. It moved to Haywood, where it remained until Johnston's surrender, and then marched to Richmond, 280 miles, in less than eight days. It participated in the Grand Review at Wash- ington and was mustered out, June 8, 1865.
The Twenty-sixth Michigan infantry was organized at Jackson and was mustered in Dec. 12, 1862. It left the State Dec. 13, reported at Washington, was assigned to provost duty at Alexandria, and was thus employed until April, 1863, when it was sent to Suffolk, Va., for defense. On June 20 it moved to Yorktown, marched to the Chicka- hominy, then returned to Yorktown and proceeded to New York to maintain peace in the draft riots. It joined the Army of the Potomac Oct. 13, was attached to the First brigade, First division, Second corps, and came to be recognized as the skirmish regiment of the division. It was engaged at Mine Run and then went into Winter quarters at Stev- ensburg. It was at the battle of the Wilderness, part of the time in reserve, and charged Stuart's dismounted cavalary on May 7, captur- ing a number of prisoners and important despatches. It was in the engagements at Corbin's Bridge, the Ny River, the Po River, and Spottsylvania, where it participated in the charge of the Second corps when the works were carried in a hand-to-hand fight with the bayon- et, the colors of the Twenty-sixth being the first planted. It also cap- tured two brass guns and the gunners, its loss being 27 killed, 98 wounded, and 14 missing. It was next engaged at the North Anna, Totopotomy, and Cold Harbor, and was in the assault at Petersburg on June 16, in which the first line was carried. It fought at the Wel- don Railroad, was engaged at Deep Bottom, where its brigade drove the enemy and captured four guns, the Twenty-sixth leading in skir- mish line. The regiment attacked double its numbers the following day and drove them for half a mile. In August it was engaged at Strawberry Plains, White Oak Swamp, and Reams' Station, where it assisted in repelling repeated assaults and took part in the charge when the works. taken by the enemy were retaken. It remained be- fore Petersburg during the Winter and in March, 1865, charged the enemy's works at Peeble's Farm, capturing a portion of them. It was in action at Hatcher's Run, the Boydton Road, White Oak Road, Sutherland's Station, Amelia Springs, Deatonsville, Sailor's Creek, High Bridge and Farmville, and was at Appomattox when Lee sur- rendered, having captured over 400 prisoners between March 28 and April 9, and lost 60 killed and wounded. It was ordered to Washing- ton on May 2, was in the Grand Review, and was mustered out at Bailey's Crossroads, June 4.
The First Engineers was organized at Marshall and was mus- tered in, Oct. 29, 1861. It left the State, Dec. 17, and reported to General Buell at Louisville. Companies B, E, and I, under Col. Wil- liam P. Innes, were ordered to report to General McCook, at Mun- fordville, then moved for Bowling Green, and on the 28th for Nash- ville. The regiment was ordered to Shiloh in April and built several bridges en route with such rapidity that Buell was enabled to reach the field in time to bring victory out of threatened defeat. It received special mention by Buell. Companies A and K, under Maj. John B. Yates, left Nashville with General Mitchell's division, going to Hunts-
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