USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 23
USA > Michigan > Berrien County > History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 23
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The regiment was also engaged, though less prominently, at Pine Mountain, June 15, 1864 ; at Culp's Farm, June 22d ; and at Nickajack Creek, July 1st. On the 9th of July it crossed the Chattahoochee, and on the 22d appeared before Atlanta. It took an active part in the siege of that place, and on the 6th of August it aided in carrying, by a gallant charge, the enemy's works near East Point. It also participated in the flank movement to the rear of At- lanta at Jonesboro', which resulted in the evacuation of the former place. During the campaign it had been under fire fifty-eight days.
After a short stay at Decatur, Ga., the 25th moved north with its corps in pursuit of Gen. Hood. Reaching John- sonville, Tenn., on the 5th of November, it remained there until the 14th, when it marched with its brigade to Centre- ville, where it was engaged in guarding important fords across Duck River. Still moving northward, it was engaged, though not very severely, at the battle of Franklin, on the 30th of November, 1864.
Soon after, it was ordered with its brigade to Nashville, but, as Gen. Hood had invested that city and lay directly in front of the command in question, the latter was obliged to make a long circuit by way of Clarksville, during which it was at one time entirely within the rebel lines. Under
cover of a dark night, however, it made its way out, reaching Nashville on the 8th of December, and on the 15th and 16th was slightly engaged in the battle before that city, having eight men killed and wounded.
The regiment then marched with the 23d Corps in pur- suit of Hood. With that corps it was afterwards transported from Columbia, Tenn., over a circuit of thousands of miles, by way of Washington, D. C., to North Carolina, where it took part with Gen. Schofield's army in extinguishing the last remnants of life in the expiring hydra of treason. After the surrender of the Confederate army commanded by Gen. Johnston, the regiment remained at Salisbury, N. C., until the 24th of June, 1865, when it was mustered out of service and set out for Michigan. It arrived at Jackson on the 2d of July, 1865, where it was paid off and discharged.
BERRIEN COUNTY MEMBERS OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY.
Field and Staff.
Adj. Chas, Woodruff, Niles ; com. April 7, 1864; sergt. maj., Jan. 14, 1864; 2d lieut. Co. K ; must. out June 24, 1865.
Company C.
Capt. Chas. E. McCollister, Oronoko; com. Aug. 10, 1862; res. May 11, 1863. Capt. Jacob Ewalt, Oronoko; com. March 13, 1863; Ist lieut. Aug. 10, 1862; disch. for disability, Oct. 10, 1864.
Capt. Clarence HI. Howe, Oronoko ; com. Nov. 1, 1864; 2d lieut. March 13, 1864 ; sergt., Aug. 12, 1862 ; must. ont June 24, 1865.
1st Lieut. Edwin F. Kimmel, Oronoko ; com. March 13, 1863 ; 2d lieut. Aug. 1, 1862 ; res. Sept. 23, 1864.
2d Lieut. Jos. L. Carlisle, Oronoko; com. Feb. 24, 1865; 2d lieut., Nov. 1, 1864; sergt., Ang. 11, 1862; must. out June 24, 1865.
Sergt. Ezra E. Dunn, Buchanan ; enl. Aug. 9, 1862; died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., March 20, 1863.
Sergt. Marion W. Jennings, Pipestone ; enl. Aug. 13, 1862; must. out June 24, 1865.
Sergt. Benj. F. Feather, Oronoko; enl. Aug. 11, 1862; trans. to Inv. Corps, July, 1863 ; must. out July 8, 1865.
Sergt. Reuben H. Richardson, Oronoko; corp., Ang. 1, 1862; must. out June 24, 1865.
Corp. James W. Granger, Oronoko; enl. Aug. 11, 1862; must. out June 24, 1865. Corp. Sylvester P. Mason, Buchanan; enl. Aug. 15, 1862; disch. for disability, Feb. 24, 1863.
Corp. Francis M. Dougherty, Orouoko; enl. Aug. 11, 1862 ; disch. for disability, Sept. 21, 1863.
Corp. Abram Long, Oronoko; enl. Ang. 13, 1862; trans. to Inv. Corps, Dec. 15, 1863.
Corp. Alfred O. French, Royalton ; enl. Aug. 9, 1862 ; disch. by or ler, May 29, 1865.
Corp. Eli Helmick, Oronoko; enl. Aug. 15, 1862; must. out June 25, 1865.
Musician Wm. H. Dennison, Oronoko; enl. Aug. 14, 1862; died of disease at Bowling Green, Jan. 16, 1863.
Wagoner Elliot Chamberlain, Oronoko; enl. Aug. 18, 1862; died of disease at Louisville, July 27, 1863.
James B. Alden, must. ont June 24, 1865.
Orange L. Blake, must. out June 24, 1865.
John A. Burke, must. out June 24, 1865.
Samuel C. Burke, must. out June 24, 1865.
Lavinius Bratt, must. out June 24, 1865.
Josephus Brownell, must. out June 24, 1865.
Porter H. Buckley, must. out June 24, 1865.
Peter Bovee, disch. by order, July 18, 1863.
Reuben Culbretzer, must. out June 24, 1865.
Eli N. Crabbe, must. out June 24, 1865.
Milton Cowley, must. out July 4, 1865.
Dorman Curtis, must. out June 24, 1865.
Ralph Denn, must. out June 24, 1865. Alanson Dickerson, must. ont June 24, 1865.
Ambrose Dickerson, must. out June 24, 1865.
Thos. Daker, must. out June 24, 1865.
Wm. Desler, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps.
Jesse Fisher, must. out June 24, 1865.
R. P. Ferris, must. out June 24, 1865.
Bethuel H. Friley, must. out June 24, 1865.
Stephen E. Gilbert, died of accidental wounds, March 31, 1863.
Abel Goddard, disch. for disability, June 16, 1863.
Edwin S. Hadlock, must. out June 24, 1865.
Win. B. Hartman, must. out June 24, 1865.
Wm. Hunter, must. out June 24, 1865.
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HISTORY OF BERRIEN AND VAN BUREN COUNTIES, MICHIGAN.
Peter Humphrey, died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., March 9, 1863. Frank Jern, must. out June 24, 1865.
Wm. H. Jones, trans. to 28th Inf .; must. out June 5, 1866.
Geo. H. Kimmel, must. out May 31, 1865. Samuel Kimmel, must, out June 29, 1865.
John A. Kebler, must. ont July 1, 1865, from Vet. Res. Corps. Albert Kugles, must. out June 24, 1865. Ludovic Leeds, must. out June 24, 1865. Isaac Long, must. out June 24, 1865.
Stephen Lappan, must. out June 24, 1865. Richard Lawrence, disch. for disability, Jan. 9, 1863.
Nott. Lockman, disch, for disability, June 16, 1863.
Jonathan Mosier, disch. for disability, May 9, 1863. Geo. D. Mather, died in action at Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864. Geo. W. Myers, must. out June 24, 1865.
Simeon McOmber, must. out June 24, 1865.
Henry P. Movier, must. out June 24, 1865.
Isaac Maddox, must. out June 24, 1865.
Chas. S. Mead, must. out June 5, 1866. George Mallison, must. out June 5, 1866.
Henry Near, died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Feb. 6, 1865.
Merritt Nichols, must. out from Vet. Res. Corps, June 12, 1865.
Patrick E. O'Brien, must. out from Vet. Res. Corps, July 7, 1865.
Wm. F. Olds, must. out July 2, 1865. Joel Pangburn, must. out June 24, 1865. Benj. F. Potter, must. out June 24, 1865.
Aaron Puntivers, must. out June 24, 1865.
Wm. R. Place, trans. to 28th Inf .; must out June 5, 1866.
Wm. E. Patterson, disch. for disability, May 8, 1863.
Delos Reed, disch. by order, July 18, 1863.
Johu P. Rooney, died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 16, 1863. Galen R. Rogers, died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 17, 1863. Jonathan Ressler, must. out June 24, 1865.
Myron H. Roberts, must. out June 24, 1865. Reuben H. Richardson, must. out June 24, 1865.
Frederick Simons, must. out June 24, 1865. Samuel Stuller, must. out June 24, 1865. Nathan Smith, must. out Oct. 28, 1865. Wm. H. Shankwiler, must. out June 24, 1865.
J. Shankwiler, died of disease at Knoxville, Tenn., April 21, 1864. Stephen Simons, died of disease at Bowling Green, March 29, 1863. Noah St. John, disch. for disability, June 16, 1863. Jolin A. Sperinar, dischi. for disability, July 21, 1864.
Andrew J. Tebbs, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, Jan. 15, 1864.
James M. Taylor, must. out June 25, 1865.
Chas. E. Terriere, must. out June 25, 1865. Peter M. Van Husan, must, out June 25, 1865. Michael Van Husan, disch. for disability, March 10, 1863. Solomon Wirrick, disch. for disability, Dec. 21, 1863. Benj. Wirrick, disch. for disability, May 22, 1865.
Jolin Williams, disch. by order, July, 1863.
David H. Whipple, trans. to 28th Inf. ; must. out June 5, 1866.
Company F.
Capt. Spencer L. Lansing, Niles; com. Aug. 10, 1862; disch. for disability, Oct. 28, 1864.
Capt. Irving Paddock, Three Oaks; com. May 8, 1865; 1st lieut., Nov. 1, 1864; sergt., Aug. 14, 1862; must. out June 24, 1865.
Ist Lieut. Gideon Frisbie, Avery ; com. Aug. 10, 1862; disch. for disability, Sept. 24, 1864.
1st Lieut. Henry Bond, Niles; com. May 8, 1865; 2d lieut., Nov. 2, 1864; sergt., Aug. 11, 1862; must. out June 24, 1865.
2d Lieut. Arthur Twombly, Niles; com. Aug. 10, 1862; res. Sept. 18, 1864. Sergt. Chas. Woodruff, Niles; enl. Aug. 14, 1862; pro. to sergt. maj., Jan. 14, 1862. Sergt. Henry B. Adams, Niles; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; died of disease at Knoxville, Tenn., Feb. 20, 1864.
Sergt. Julins C. Webb, Niles; corp., Aug. 14, 1862; must. out June 24, 1865. Corp. Don A. Clark, Niles; enl. Aug. 13, 1862; died Dec. 25, 1864, of wounds re- ceived Aug. 6, 1864.
Corp. Peter G. Cuddeback, Berrien; enl. Aug. 13, 1862; died July 4, 1863, of wounds received at Tibbs' Bend.
Corp. Henry T. Kimmel, Niles; enl. Aug. 14, 1862 ; dischi. by order, Feb. 27, 1863. Corp. Joel F. Warner, New Buffalo; enl. Aug. 14, 1862; must. out June 24, 1865. Corp. Byron W. Earl, Niles ; enl. Aug. 7, 1862 ; trans. to Inv. Corps, Feb. 15, 1864. Corp. Thos. Quigley, Niles; enl. Aug. 13, 1862; dischi. for disability, Jan. 26, 1865. Musician Isaac McDaniel, Niles ; enl. Aug. 9, 1862; died of disease at Murfrees- boro', Jan. 16, 1863.
David C. Bachelor, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, May 1, 1864.
Henry Bowman, must. ont June 24, 1865.
Thos. D. Bines, must. out June 24, 1865.
John Bourke, must. out June 24, 1865.
Chas. H. Burbank, must. out June 24, 1865.
Kellison Collins, disch. for disability, Feb. 24, 1865.
Frederick W. Doane, disch. for disability, April 23, 1863.
Jerry Doolan, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, April 10, 1864.
John Davis, must. out June 24, 1865.
James Edgin, from Vet. Res. Corps; must. out July 5, 1865.
James Fallon, disch. for disability, Feb. 18, 1863.
Morris Frisbee, must. out June 24, 1865. Wm. Gray, must. out June 24, 1865.
John J. Garrison, must. out June 24, 1865. Francis W. Gano, must. out June 10, 1865. Nathan Gilbert, must. out June 24, 1865. Thos. J. Gilbert, must. out June 24, 1865. Justus H. Hastings, must. out June 24, 1865.
Levi Hoover, disch. for disability, April 4, 1863.
Geo. C. Inman, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1864.
Edwin G. Loucks, must. out June 24, 1865.
Leroy Lamunion, must. out June 24, 1865. Wm. Lahey, must. out June 24, 1865.
John W. McKee, must. out June 24, 1865.
Jolin McClarey, dischi. by order, July 20, 1863.
James McGurk, disch. for disability, Aug. 28, 1863.
Arbuthı M. Nott, disch. for disability, Sept. 4, 1863.
Philo Norton, must. out June 24, 1865.
Thos. O'Callaghan, must. out June 24, 1865. Wm. M. Otwell, must. out June 24, 1865. Emory Otwell, disch. by order, July 20, 1863. Andrew J. Painter, must. out June 24, 1865.
Horatio H. Richardson, must. out June 24, 1865. Lewis Quick, died of disease at Louisville, Feb. 8, 1863.
Jesse Sheridan, died of disease at Bowling Green, Feb. 18, 1863.
Wni. Slater, died of disease at Bowling Green, March 16, 1863. Rowland Soper, died at Chattanooga, June 29, 1864. Isaac Smith, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1863.
Thos. E. Sheridan, disch. for disability, Nov. 21, 1863.
Chas. T. Serviss, must. out June 24, 1865.
Thos. P. Starr, must. out June 24, 1865. John P. Titsworth, must. out June 24, 1865.
Frederick L. Thaldorf, must. out June 24, 1865. Marcus Tuttle, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, Jan. 15, 1864.
Thos. Wood, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, Dec. 15, 1864. Michael Wood, disch. for insanity, Oct. 28, 1863.
Nathan Williams, dischi, by order, March 20, 1863.
Ephraim Wellwood, disch. by order, July 20, 1863. Jolin Wright, died at Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864.
Orson S. Warner, must. out June 24, 1865.
John Wing, must. out June 24, 1865.
Company K.
Capt. M. V. Mckinney, Buchanan; com. July 23, 1862; res. July 26, 1863. Capt. Jolin Tennant, Buchanan; com. July 26, 1863; Ist lieut., Aug. 4, 1862; disch. for disability, June 14, 1864.
Ist Lieut. Frank D. Weaver, Buchanan; com. July 26, 1863; 2d lieut., Aug. 15, 1862; died of disease, April 2, 1864.
2d Lieut. Clas. Woodruff, Niles; com. April 2, 1864; pro. to Ist lieut. and adj., April 7, 1864.
2d Lieut. Norris H. Merrill, Buchanan ; com. June 1, 1864; sergt., July 22, 1862 ; disch. for wounds, Nov. 4, 1864.
Sergt. Rodney Knight, Buchanan ; en1. Aug. 13, 1862; died of disease at Knox- ville, Jan. 4, 1865.
Sergt. Abram Welles, Weesaw ; enl. Aug. 11, 1862; disch. for disability, Sept. 1, 1863.
Sergt. Jos. C. Harris, Buchanan ; enl. Aug. 15, 1862; disch. for disability, Jan. 3, 1863.
Sergt. John A. Sperry, Royalton ; enl. July 12, 1862; dischi. for disability, Jan. 15, 1863.
Corp. Jas. L. Slater, Weesaw; enl. Aug. 12, 1862; died in action at Tibbs' Bend, Ky., July 4, 1863.
Corp. Emmet S. Totlen, Buchanan; enl. Aug. 15, 1862; must. out May 31, 1865. Corp. Solomon Ulery, Buchanan ; enl. Aug. 12, 1862; absent, sick.
Simon P. Aldrich, must. out June 24, 1865.
John Boyce, must. ont July 7, 1865.
Henry Beacham, disch. for disability, March 3, 1863.
Chas. Cochran, disch. for disability, Sept. 10, 1862. Oliver J. Chin, died of disease at Bowling Green, March 31, 1863.
Charles Carr, missing in action in Tennessee, Jan. 22, 1864.
George W. Colvin, must. out June 15, 1865.
James A. Cook, must. out June 24, 1865.
Wm. Conradt, must. out June 24, 1865.
Wm. W. Compton, must. out June 24, 1865.
Nathan Dodds, must. out June 24, 1865. Ambrose Dickerson, dischi. for disability, Jan. 6, 1863.
Hiram Dunhanı, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, April 20, 1864.
A. Ewarts, dischi. for disability, July 21, 1863.
Joseph Fuller, disch. for disability, Sept. 10, 1862.
Franklin B. Fancher, disch. for disability, Jan. 15, 1863.
Emory F. Ferry, dischi. for disability, February, 1864.
Lewis B. Force, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps; must. out June 30, 1865.
Chas. W. Fancher, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, July 26, 1863.
George Furay, must. out May 7, 1865.
Wm. R. Gonder, must. out June 24, 1865.
J. L. Gorham, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, April 10, 1864.
Jacob Garlinger, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, Jan. 15, 1864.
Andrew Graham, disch. by order, July 21, 1863.
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TWENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.
J. S. Gordon, disch. by order, July 21, 1863.
F. G. M. Holmes, disch. for disability, Sept. 10, 1862. Wm. J. Henderson, disch. for disability, Sept. 11, 1863. Wm. H. Hanover, disch. for disability, March 3, 1863. Warren J. Harris, must. out June 24, 1865. Henry Homer, must. out June 24, 1865. Martin V. Hulmes, must. out June 24, 1865. David Hill, must. out June 24, 1865. Marvin H. Haskins, must. out June 24, 1865.
Wm. Inglewright, Sr., disch. by order.
Wm. Inglewright, Jr., trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1864. Harvey C. Judson, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1864.
Andrew Judy, died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862.
James S. Lee, disch. for disability, Jan. 15, 1863.
James Meeker, must. out June 24, 1865. Robert Norris, must. out June 24, 1865.
James Penwell, died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., March 11, 1863. George Pierce, died of disease at Knoxville, Tenn., May 25, 1864. Nathan Pratt, dischi. by order, July 29, 1863.
A. Randall, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1864.
Henry Rundell, must. out June 24, 1865. Benj. N. Redding, must. out June 24, 1865. James M. Rose, must. out May 30, 1865.
Johu Z. Swanger, must. out June 24, 1865.
Chas. W. Strong, must. out June 24, 1865.
James H. Snodgrass.
John C. Spinetta, died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Oct. 7, 1862.
Jacob Shruler, disch. for disability, Sept. 10, 1862.
Zenith Strong, disch. for disability, Sept. 10, 1862.
John Taylor, must. out June 24, 1865.
Volney O. Van Denburgh, died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 11, 1863. Frank Watson, died of disease at Knoxville, Tenn., May 11, 1864.
John Weaver, died of wounds at Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864.
Evert Wirt, died in action at Rocky Face, Ga., May 9, 1864.
Alvertus Wray, died in Indiana, March 10, 1865.
Philip Walworth, disch. for disability, Sept. 10, 1862.
HI. Wells, disch. for disability, Sept. 1, 1863.
Oscar Woodworth, disch. for disability, Jan. 15, 1863.
Emery Wray, disch. by order to Vet. Res. Corps, July 21, 1863. Sammuel Washburn, disch. by order to Vet. Res. Corps, July 21, 1863.
Hiram Walcott, disch. for disability, Feb. 10, 1863.
W. P. Wood, disch. for disability, Feb. 6, 1863.
J. J. Wade, must. out June 24, 1865.
David Washburn, must. out June 24, 1865.
Jolin Washburn, must. out June 24, 1865.
Wm. H. Walworth, must. out June 24, 1865. Noah Weaver, must. out June 23, 1865.
Noah M. Wilter, must. out May 18, 1865.
Geo. H. Watson, must. out May 26, 1865.
OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY FROM VAN BUREN COUNTY.
Field and Staff.
Maj. Dewitt C. Fitch, Mattawan ; com. Sept. 17, 1862; res. April 12, 1864. 1st Lieut. and Q.M. John M. Ridlou, Paw Paw; com. Aug. 27, 1862; res. March 16, 1863.
Company C.
Jonathan Ryder, died of disease at Lonisville, Ky., Feb. 6, 1865.
Company D.
Stephen H. Kenney, must. out June 19, 1865.
Company F.
Franklin C. Snow, disch. for disability, Feb. 5, 1863.
Company G.
William Ryan, must. out June 5, 1866.
Forice Rhodes, must. out Sept. 13, 1865.
Philo M. Russell, nrust. out June 5, 1866.
Stephen Root, must. out June 5, 1866.
Reuben Root, must. ont June 5, 1866.
Company H.
Leander Vining, died of disease at Washington, D. C., March 9, 1865.
TWENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.
This regiment was raised during the summer and autumn of 1862, in Berrien, Muskegon, Ingham, Livingston, and other counties. Over half of Company G was from Berrien County.
The regimental rendezvous was at Jackson, where it was mustered in by Capt. Mizner of the United States army, with Judson S. Farrar as colonel, Henry H. Wells as lieutenant- colonel, and William O'Donnell as major.
The regiment, nine hundred strong, left Jackson on the 13th of December, and proceeded at once to Washington. After a few unimportant marches it was stationed in the suburbs of Alexandria, Va., as provost-guard of that place, Lieut .- Col. Wells being appointed provost-marshal. The 26th remained at Alexandria about four months, a period which is remembered by the survivors of the regiment as one of the most pleasant in their war experience. On the 1st of April, 1862, a small newspaper called Our Camp Journal was issued by members of the regiment, and it appeared occasionally (or, perhaps, it were allowable to say, " semi"-occasionally) afterwards. But such pleasant intel- lectual work was soon interrupted, for on the 20th of April, 1862, the 26th embarked on a steamer, and the next day landed at Norfolk, Va. On the 22d it moved to Suffolk, and remained there till the 16th of May, when it advanced to " Deserted House," ten miles out from Suffolk.
On the 23d of May the 26th became engaged in its first conflict, near a place called Windsor, The rebels charged on a post occupied by a part of the regiment, yelling like devils, in hopes to intimidate the Michigan Yankees. The latter, however, who then met the " gray-backs" for the first time, stood their ground like veterans. Although the assail- ants were in large force, yet, on seeing the firmness of the Union line, they retreated faster than they came, and their flight was accelerated by a counter-charge of the men of the 26th, which drove them out of sight in a very brief time.
On the 19th of June, 1862, the regiment was moved to Yorktown, proceeding thence in Gen. Keyes' corps by way of Williamsburg to the " White House," on York River. On the 1st of July it marched to the vicinity of Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy, where it remained eight days on the plantation of ex-President Tyler. About the 10th of that month it returned to Yorktown, and at once pro- ceeded by way of Washington to New York to keep watch over the disloyal element of that city, which showed some of the same disposition to resist the laws which resulted a year later in the trouble and the well-known draft riots of 1863. It was not, however, found necessary to use a mili- tary force there at that time. After a brief stay in the city the regiment was encamped on Staten Island.
About the middle of October, 1863, the regiment returned to Virginia and joined the Army of the Potomac at War- renton, being assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2d Corps. After changing its position to Stevensburg, it ad- vanced with the army on the 26th of November, and on the 29th arrived in front of the hostile works at Mine Run. In the morning of that day the 1st Brigade moved forward in skirmish-line, driving the enemy's pickets to within a mile of his main works. Eighty rods in front of the brigade a piece of pine woods was held by a force of the enemy superior both in numbers and position. After a half-hour's halt the brigade was ordered to charge it, and did so, rush- ing swiftly, with wild shouts, across the open space of a quarter of a mile, exposed to a fierce fire of musketry from the woods and of shells from the batteries, and in ten minutes they held the wood, within easy musket range of the rebel intrenchments. The Confederates repeatedly en- deavored to dislodge the brigade from its position, but amid
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HISTORY OF BERRIEN AND VAN BUREN COUNTIES, MICHIGAN.
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bursting shells, hissing balls, and falling boughs the men of the 1st Brigade coolly held their position, and all of the foemen's efforts were easily repulsed. An officer present attributed to the bad practice of the enemy's gunners and infantry the fact that only ten of the regiment were wounded during the charge.
The Mine Run expedition was but a reconnoissance in force, and on its completion the 26th returned to its camp at Stevensburg, where it remained in winter quarters until the opening of the campaign of the Wilderness.
On the 3d of May, 1864, the regiment advanced with the Army of the Potomac, and on the 5th was in hearing of the roar of battle, though it did not then take any part. That night and the next day it was busy throwing up intrenchments. On the 7th the regiment was slightly en- gaged, driving back the enemy without serious loss. On the 8th it had a slight skirmish with the foe near Todd's Tavern, on the 9th and 10th was not engaged, but on the 11th had a sharp, brief fight, in which eighteen men were killed and wounded.
On the 12th of May, 1864, came the memorable and successful attack by the 2d Corps on the enemy's works at Spottsylvania, in which the 26th Michigan took a most active and gallant part. At the word of command the regiment swept steadily forward, amid a storm of bullets and cannon-balls, charged with the bayonet, fought hand to hand with the desperate Confederates, drove them from their position, captured two guns with their gunners, and was the first regiment to place its colors on the hostile works. It was also engaged in the desperate fight which followed the exploit just mentioned, and assisted in the cap- ture of a large number of guns, colors, and prisoners. In this day's work the gallant regiment had one hundred and twenty-five men killed and wounded and fourteen missing, most of the latter being afterwards found to be among the slain.
The next engagement of the 26th was at Jericho Bridge, on the 24th of May, where it crossed the North Anna River under a heavy artillery fire, and drove the enemy into his works, having fourteen men killed and wounded. On the 29th of May it was slightly engaged near Tolopotomoy Creek. At Cold Harbor, on the 2d and 3d of June, the 26th had fifteen wounded and five missing. Ten more were killed and wounded during the skirmishes of the next nine days.
On the 16th of June the regiment reached the front of Petersburg, and the same day aided in carrying by assault the first line of Confederate rifle-pits, twelve of its members being killed and wounded, among the mortally wounded being its commander, Capt. Lothian. On the 17th it helped to carry a line of works, having nine men killed and wounded. It was also heavily engaged on the 22d near the Williams House.
Our space will not allow us to describe in detail the in- cessant labors, skirmishes, and minor combats of the gallant 26th during the long investment of Petersburg; we can barely mention some of the principal events. On the 27th of July it participated in the assault on and capture of the enemy's works at Deep Bottom, and the next day, while on a reconnoissance, routed a large force of Confederates and
drove them into their intrenchments. On the 16th of August it had a sharp fight with the enemy near White Oak Swamp, seventeen of its members being killed and wounded, and seventeen taken prisoners.
On the 25th of August the regiment, while at work de- stroying the Weldon Railroad, was furiously assaulted at Ream's Station and driven from its defenses, which were, however, retaken by a gallant charge, in which the 26th suffered considerable loss. From this time until the 25th of March, 1865, the regiment in question was almost con- stantly employed in constructing earthworks or in other fatigue duty, and on picket in front of Petersburg.
On the day last named, immediately after the furious Confederate attack on Forts Steadman and Hancock, the 26th with its brigade charged the works in front, and cap- tured a part of them, with a considerable number of pris- oners. On the 31st of March it was heavily engaged in skirmishing in front of the enemy during the great flank movement to the left, and continued in pursuit of the enemy during the four following days. On the 6th of April it captured a train of two hundred and sixty wagons, loaded with ammunition and provisions. The 26th was in the extreme advance at the time of Lee's surrender, having captured four hundred prisoners since the 28th of March, and having during the same period had about sixty men killed and wounded,-more than a fourth of the number present for duty.
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