USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I > Part 65
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After the company of dragoons had been filled, it was decided to raise an infantry company, and one hundred and eighteen men were enlisted in sixty days, three fourths of them in Detroit. They were quartered at the old arsenal, and were designated as Company G of the Fifteenth United States In- fantry. They were commanded by Captain F. M. Winans, with William D. Wilkins as first lieutenant, and M. P. Doyle as second lieutenant. Early in April, 1847, they were stationed at Mackinaw, reliev- ing some regular troops. In June, 1847, they were ordered to Mexico, and were relieved by a com- pany from Detroit, commanded by Captain M. L. Gage, with A. K. Howard as first lieutenant, and W. F. Chittenden and C. F. Davis as second lieu- tenants.
This last company, styled the Brady Guards, was mustered into the United States service on June 18. Although called the Brady Guards, they had no connection or relation to the old company which bore that name. They were enlisted for the special purpose of garrisoning the posts at Mackinaw and Sault Ste. Marie, and were disbanded early in 1848. Company G of the Fifteenth Regiment from Mack- inaw, on their way to the seat of war in Mexico, arrived at Detroit on June 26, 1847, and left the same evening.
During the year Michigan was called on for a full regiment of volunteers, and the following officers were commissioned : Colonel T. B. W. Stockton, Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Williams, Major J. V. Ruehle, Adjutant J. E. Pittman. Captains : Com- pany A, F. W. Curtenius; Company B, Grove A. Buel ; Company C, A. H. Hanscom ; Company D, N. Greusel, Jr; Company E, Isaac S. Rowland ; Company F, John Whittenmeyer ; Company G, Daniel Hicks; Company H, Walter W. Dean; Company I, John Van Arman ; Company K, James M. Williams. Of the men raised for this regiment, six companies under Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Wil- liams left in December, 1847,-three companies going on the 24th, under Captains Buel, Hanscom, and Greusel; and three more on the 25th, under Captains Curtenius, Rowland, and Whittenmeyer. The second detachment of three companies, under Colonel Stockton, with Captains Dean, Van Arman
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THE MEXICAN WAR.
and Williams, left on the Albany on February 9, 1848.
The war soon after practically ceased, and on July 8, 1848, part of the First Regiment arrived on the John Owen; others came on the roth; and on Sunday, July 16, the balance of the regiment and the Brady Guards arrived, coming by way of Chi- cago and down the Lakes. They were met on Lake
St. Clair by the Ferry Alliance, with the Scott Guards and a number of citizens on board.
The expense to the State of raising the First Regiment was $10, 165.85. On January 15, 1848, the State appropriated $5,000 to raise the Second Regiment ; it was mustered into service, but was not ordered to Mexico. The total cost to the State of all the troops sent was $17,193.70.
CHAPTER XLIV.
THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH.
THE causes of this war are indicated in those famous words of the time, " An irrepressible conflict between slavery and freedom."
At the beginning of the struggle, the hero of the hour was Major Anderson. He transferred his force to Fort Sumter, where he could be more easily provisioned, and make a better defense. On January 8, 1861, a salute of one hundred guns was fired in his honor at Detroit, and on April 12 he was fired on at Fort Sumter. News of this latter event was received at Detroit the same day, and on the 13th a largely attended meeting of the Bar was held, Hon. Ross Wilkins presiding ; resolutions in favor of sus- taining the Government were adopted. On April 15 there was an immense union gathering at Fire- men's Hall. On the next day Governor Blair arrived, and in the afternoon a number of leading citizens were invited to meet him at the Michigan Exchange. At this meeting the governor announced that Michi- gan had been called upon to furnish immediately an infantry regiment fully armed, clothed, and equipped. The State Treasurer, John Owen, stated that it was estimated that $100,000 would be required to defray the necessary expense, and that the State had no present means of furnishing the amount. A resolu- tion was then passed pledging Detroit to loan the State $50,000, and calling upon the people of Mich- igan to advance an equal amount. A subscription paper was at once circulated, and $23,000 pledged by those present.
The determination of the people to sustain the Union now began to manifest itself. On April 17 a flag was raised on the Board of Trade building, and patriotic speeches were made. General Cass was present. On the same day the Detroit Light Guards organized for the war. The following day a flag was raised on the Custom House and the Post Office ; on April 20, in front of the same building, the oath of allegiance was administered to all government, state, city, and county officers. On the 23d, the Sherlock, Scott, and Brady Guards organized, and a flag was raised on Firemen's Hall. Flag-raising now became general, and churches, schools, stores, and residences displayed the Stars and Stripes.
On April 24 an order was issued from the adju- tant-general's office, organizing the First Regiment
of Infantry, and appointing its field-officers. Its rendezvous was fixed at Fort Wayne, and the vari- ous companies were ordered to assemble there at once. The day following an immense meeting was held on the Campus Martius in favor of the war for the Union. An address was made by General Cass. a flag was raised on the City Hall, and three thou- sand children sang " The Star Spangled Banner."
On May 2 the First Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, and on May II it paraded on the Campus Martius, when a banner and cockades were presented. The regiment left the city on the 13th, seven hundred and eighty strong, with O. B. Willcox as colonel. It was the first west- ern regiment to arrive at Washington, entering the city May 16. On May 25 the Second Regiment was mustered in, and left on June 5 for the seat of war, with one thousand and twenty men under Colonel I. B. Richardson. The rendezvous of this regiment had been a ten-acre lot, on Clinton Avenue near Elmwood Cemetery. On June 19, 1861, a Camp of Instruction was established at Fort Wayne, with General A. S. Williams in command, assisted by Colonel J. E. Pittman, Major W. D. Wilkins, and Captain H. M. Whittlesey. On August 2 the First Regiment returned and were given a grand recep- tion. They were mustered out on August 7.
The Fifth Infantry was mustered in August 28, and left Detroit on September 11, nine hundred strong, under Colonel H. D. Terry. The Sixth Infantry was mustered in on September 8, and left on September 16, nine hundred and sixty strong, under Colonel T. B. W. Stockton.
September 26, 1861, was observed as a day of national prayer and fasting. The Eighth Infan- try was mustered in September 23, and left on September 27, nine hundred strong, under Colonel W. M. Fenton. The First Cavalry was mustered in on September 13, and left September 29, eleven hundred and fifty strong, under Colonel T. F. Brod- head. The Ninth Infantry, mustered in October 15, left October 25, nine hundred and forty-three strong, with W. W. Duffield in command.
On October 26, a large Union political convention, composed of leading men from both parties, was held, and it was decided that in the fall election
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THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH.
but one ticket, and that a Union ticket, should be nominated. On November 28 a reception was given tc Colonel Mulligan, the hero of Lexington, Missouri.
In January, 1862, the Government leased ten acres of the Joseph Campau Farm on Clinton Avenue, between Joseph Campau and Elmwood Avenues, and erected barracks for ten thousand men. The place was called Camp Backus, and in June, 1862, troops were quartered there.
At 7 P. M. on February 17, 1862, news of the
liam A. Howard, Theodore Romeyn, and Colonel H. A. Morrow. The meeting was interfered with by disorderly characters, who feared a draft. The citizens generally denounced the manifestation of mob-spirit, and another and larger meeting was held on July 22, at which speeches were made by Colonel Henry A. Morrow, General Lewis Cass, Major Mark Flanigan, Duncan Stewart, C. I. Walker, H. H. Em- mons, Lieutenant-Colonel Ruehle, and James F. Joy. At this gathering for the first time bounties
ERNITI
MED
ODDFELLOWS HALL.
PRESENTATION OF COLORS TO FIRST REGIMENT.
victory at Fort Donelson was received. A general ringing of the fire bells called the engines together in the vicinity of the post-office. Soon after the military arrived, and at eight o'clock a procession was formed and a number of buildings illuminated. Large quantities of Roman candles had been dis- tributed throughout the procession, and they were burned so extravagantly that at times it was as bright as day along the route.
On July 15, 1862, about five hundred men were required from the city. Calls for troops came fre- quently, and a large war-meeting was held to incite volunteering. Speeches were made by Hon. Wil-
were pledged by leading citizens, and many volun- teers were obtained.
On July 28 a similar meeting was held in front of the Biddle House and largely aided in raising the Twenty-fourth Regiment, which was composed chiefly of citizens of Detroit and Wayne County. Its rendezvous was at the Fair Grounds on Wood- ward Avenue.
In 1862, through the efforts of Colonel Arthur Rankin, of Windsor, and Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Tillman, of Detroit, a regiment of Lancers was raised, and accepted by the Government, but was never called into service.
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THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH.
In order to prevent avoidance of military duty, on August 9 an order was received from the War De- partment directing that all travel to and from Canada should be interdicted, unless travellers were pro- vided with a permit. The Twenty-fourth Infantry was mustered in on August 15, and on August 26 assembled on Campus Martius, where a beautiful stand of colors was presented.
On the 27th General O. B. Willcox, colonel of the First Michigan Regiment, who had been a prisoner at Richmond, returned to Detroit, and was received with enthu- siasm. Triumphal arches, an immense procession, and hearty greetings bade him welcome. The same day the Seventeenth Infant- ry, which had been mustered in August 21, left the city nine hundred and eighty- SMITH. two strong, Colonel W. H. Withington in command. The Twenty - fourth In- fantry left on Au- S& JEWELRY. gust 29, one thou- sand and twenty- seven strong, under Colonel H. A. Mor- Er Spoons. row.
Early in Septem- ber it was evident that more soldiers would be called for, and the citizens were recommended to or- ganize for purposes of drill. According- ly in most of the wards companies were formed which drilled on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
On September 10, an impromptu Bar-meeting was held, and the propriety of adjourning the Wayne Circuit Court, on account of the condition of the country, was discussed ; union of action of all parties was recommended ; addresses were made by H. H. Emmons, C. I. Walker, Levi Bishop, D. B. Duffield, and E. N. Willcox; and at an adjourned meeting September II, the above recommendations were adopted.
On September 12 the Twenty-first Regiment, which had been a year in service, returned and was given a supper and reception at the M. C. R. R. Depot. The building was handsomely decorated for the occasion.
The Fourth Regiment of Cavalry, which had been mustered in on the 26th, left on August 29 for the front, twelve hundred and twenty-three strong, with R. H. G. Minty as colonel.
The Ninth Battery, one hundred and sixty-eight strong, under Cap- tain J. J. Daniels, . and the Fifth Regi- ment of Cavalry, thirteen hundred and five strong, commanded by J. T. Copeland, were mustered in on Au- gust 30, and left for the seat of war on December 4.
NVERAN
TRIUMPHAL ARCH, ERECTED AT JUNCTION OF JEFFERSON AND WOODWARD AVENUES, ON THE RETURN OF GENERAL O. B. WILLCOX.
In July, 1862, the Secretary of War authorized Henry Barns to recruit a colored regiment in Michigan, and with the approval of the governor, he raised the First Michigan Colored Infantry. The organization was completed on the 17th of Febru- ary, 1863, and the regiment was mus- tered into the ser- vice of the United
States as the One Hundred and Sec- ond United States Infantry, with eight hundred and ninety- five names on its rolls. It left Detroit on March 28.
An unjustifiable feeling against colored people, caused by the idea that they were in some way responsible for the war and its attendant evils, was the real occasion of a disgrace- ful riot which occurred on March 6, 1863. A man named Faulkner, an alleged negro, had been arrested on the charge of outraging a white girl, and sen- tenced to imprisonment for life. The roughs of the city made this an excuse for a general attack on the colored people, and while escorting the prisoner to
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THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH.
the jail, the provost guard of seventy-five men, called out by acting mayor F. B. Phelps, was assaulted by the mob. A few of the soldiers fired, killing one and wounding several. The guard then returned to their quarters, and soon after an indiscriminate attack was commenced on the negroes in the vicinity of the jail. The provost-guard were again called for by the mayor, but fearing that in their absence the drafted men would escape, they did not respond. Regular troops from Fort Wayne, commanded by Captain C. C. Churchill, were now called out, as were also the Light and Lyon Guards. Five companies of the Twenty-seventh Infantry, commanded by Colonel D. M. Fox, were also summoned from Ypsilanti. The Scott Guards were mustered, many members of the Board of Trade were sworn in as special police, and the city was divided into thirty patrol districts. During the afternoon and evening, over twenty build- ings were set on fire, and thirty-five were burned. A large number of colored people were horribly beaten and driven back into burning houses ; though none were killed, several were severely wounded. Large numbers of citizens patrolled the streets all night. No one felt safe in person or property, and, alto- gether, the occasion was one of the darkest in the history of Detroit. On March 7 a public meeting of citizens was held which condemned the mob, and called for the arrest of the rioters. (See chapter on Slavery and the Colored Race.)
July 2, 1863, brought news of the great battle of Gettysburg, and the retreat of General Lee from Pennsylvania,-news mingling joy and sorrow, for some of the Michigan regiments were fearfully decimated in that battle.
On July 7 news was received of the capture of Vicksburg, and an informal celebration was partici- pated in by many citizens,
On July 8 the Common Council appropriated $2,500 to be expended in relieving soldiers of Mich- igan who were wounded at Gettysburg ; and a committee, consisting of W. C. Duncan, J. C. Gor- ton, James McGonegal, and Joseph Hoek, was appointed to visit the scene of battle. On July 28 they reported that the "piles of boxes of lemons and oranges, tons of rice, crush sugar, tea and coffee of the best kind, with soups, meat, soft bread, and crackers, left but very little to be added by the com- mittee." They found the wounded at Annapolis, Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia " in pleas- ant hospitals, surrounded with every comfort the most fastidious could desire ; in airy rooms, clean beds, with a change of linen every day, mosquito bars, and that cleanliness and quiet so much sighed for by the invalids. It would seem that there is nothing our good Government has forgotten to do for its noble sons." They therefore deemed it necessary to expend only $795.
On April 27, 1864, two beautiful flags were pre- sented to Colonel H. A. Morrow for the Twenty- fourth Regiment. In honor of the occasion, a large crowd gathered on the Campus Martius, and an eloquent oration was delivered by Judge J. V. Camp- bell.
On June 20 the Third Infantry returned to Detroit, and the same day was mustered out.
On June 26 the Fourth Infantry returned, and on June 28 was mustered out.
On September 3 news was received of the great victory at Atlanta, and amid great rejoicing an impromptu celebration was arranged. A national salute was fired, brilliant fireworks displayed, and speeches were made by Theodore Romeyn, Jacob M. Howard, and D. B. Duffield.
Early in November, 1863, the War Department was officially notified by Lord Lyons, the British Minister, that a plot was on foot among Southern sympathizers in Canada to take possession of some of the steamers on Lake Erie, surprise Johnson's Island, near Sandusky, and free the Southern prison- ers there confined. The plot, however, did not take definite shape until September 19, 1864, when the steamer Philo Parsons was seized. Four of the raiders, including Bennet G. Burley, one of the leaders, had taken passage on the boat at Detroit. On her way to Sandusky, she landed at Sandwich and Amherstburg, where the balance of the raiders, about thirty in number, came on board. Their bag- gage consisted of only one trunk, which was after- wards found to contain revolvers and hatchets. The boat reached Kelly's Island about 4 P. M., and while proceeding towards Sandusky, the conspirators took possession. Meantime, another party had seized the steamer Island Queen, with about twenty-five soldiers, at Middle Bass Island. Her passengers were put on board the Philo Parsons, and the two vessels went on to within four miles of Sandusky. Not receiving the assistance that was probably ex- pected from that city, the conspirators abandoned the Island Queen and returned to the Detroit River. After landing part of the crew on Fighting Island, they proceeded to Sandwich, where they arrived on Tuesday. Here they plundered and then abandoned the steamer, which was recovered by the owners in a damaged condition, and brought to Detroit. The conspirators had a Confederate flag, and on their trial it was conclusively shown that they were acting under orders from Richmond.
More troops were greatly needed at this time, and in order to secure the full number required from Detroit, on September 27, 1864, the first draft was made for the purpose of filling the quota. A draft was also made on March 21, 1865, but the men then drafted were not called upon to serve.
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THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH.
On October 30 Mayor Duncan received information that there was a rebel plot to burn the city. The military companies were at once organized for active service, and fifty special police were sworn in. The little steamer, E. A. Brush, was also chartered to. patrol the river. On November 2 the mayor was warned by telegram from William H. Seward of a similar plot ; and at a meeting of the council, the citizens of the several wards were recommended to organize and drill as a home guard. On November 7, arrangements having been made by the State, the soldiers in camp and at the front were allowed to vote at the fall election. On December 10 the Thirtieth Regiment, under Colonel G. S. Wormer, which had been at Jackson, removed to Detroit for
The whole city was at once in mourning ; men wept like little children, and intense feeling pervaded all classes.
At this time there existed in the city an organiza- tion known as the Union League. Its general design was to bring loyal men together and unite them in their efforts for the good of the nation. At a meet- ing of this body, on the evening of the day the news of Lincoln's death was received, John J. Bagley, with other leading citizens, was present. In express- ing his feelings, he said, "I closed my store and went home. I sat down in the parlor, and the tears would come. My little daughter came to me and said, ' Papa, what's the matter?' I said, ' Mr. Lin- coln is dead.' 'What, papa ? Our Lincoln? Is
DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. MEETING ON THE CAMPUS MARTIUS APRIL 16, 1865.
duty along the border. They were mustered in on January 9, and mustered out on June 30, 1865.
On April 3, 1865, news was received of the fall of Richmond, and a salute of one hundred guns was fired. In the evening illuminations and bonfires were numerous. News was received on April 10 of the surrender of the Confederate army under General Lee. This was the virtual termination of the war, and the announcement caused almost com- plete suspension of business ; and the joy of the citizens found expression in speeches, processions, and illuminations.
Joy was soon turned into mourning, for on the morning of April 15 the city was startled with the news that President Lincoln had been assassinated.
our Lincoln dead ?' 'Yes,' I said, 'our Lincoln is dead.' My friends, he was our Lincoln. It's our Lincoln that's dead! Not the Lincoln of five years ago, whom comparatively few people knew ; nor the Lincoln of two years ago, whose ability some doubted ; but the Lincoln of to-day, of yesterday, whom as a nation we loved, and whom as a nation we mourn. Our Lincoln is dead ! But he liveth still, and the spirits of the Brave Boys in Blue, from a hundred battle-fields, give him greeting in the mystic land."
The remarks of Mr. Bagley but voiced the uni- versal feeling. Rage, amazement, grief, were all combined, and stout hearts almost failed from the fear and dread that possessed them. The next day
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THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH.
an immense meeting was held on the Campus Mar- tius to express sorrow for the assassination of the President, and condemnation for those responsible for the deed.
In accordance with the suggestion of a committee of citizens, services were held in the churches at twelve o'clock, noon, on April 19, and on April 25 there was an oration by Jacob M. Howard, and an immense funeral possession, with catafalque and ap- propriate emblems. Everywhere stores and resi- dences were draped in black, and loving, tender, and patriotic mottoes, displayed in many forms, relieved and enforced the sombre hangings.
May 30 was observed as a national fast day. There was a general suspension of business, and the day was more thoroughly observed than any previous occasion of similar character.
Early in June, 1865, Rev. George Taylor, agent of the Christian Commission, was advised that a regiment of returning soldiers was about to arrive at Detroit. He conceived the idea that they should be welcomed with a bountiful meal, served by the ladies of the city. Notices were sent to the churches calling for provisions, money, and help- ers. A public meeting was held and arrangements perfected, with Mr. Taylor as manager. Scores of ladies, both from Detroit and places in the interior, volunteered to serve the tables; and when the regiment arrived the men were welcomed and waited upon. The upper part of the freight depot of the M. C. R. R. was fitted up as a dining-hall, with seats for one thousand persons; and between June 4, 1865, and June 10, 1866, more than twenty- three thousand troops were received and entertained, most of them coming by the Cleveland line of boats. The following gives the dates of the arrival at Detroit of the Michigan regiments in 1865 :
Seventeenth Infantry, on June 7; Nineteenth In- fantry, June 13; Twenty-first Infantry, June 13; Twenty-fourth Infantry, June 20; Twenty-second Infantry, June 30; Fifth Cavalry, July 1 ; Twenty- third Infantry, July 7 ; Fifth Infantry, July 8 ; Fourth Cavalry, July 10; Sixteenth Infantry, July 12; Fourteenth Infantry, July 21 ; Twenty-seventh In- fantry, July 29; Ninth Cavalry, July 30; Second Infantry, August 1; Eighth Infantry, August 3; Fifteenth Infantry, September 1 ; Twenty-ninth In- fantry, September 12. In 1866: Twenty-eighth Infantry, June 8; Fourth Infantry, June 10; Third Infantry, June 10.
By appointment of the governor, April 19 was observed as a day of fasting and prayer.
.
On July 4, 1866, one hundred and twenty-three battle-stained and bullet-marked flags, belonging to the Michigan regiments, were formally presented to the State. Many members of the decimated regi- ments took part in a procession connected with the
exercises, and their appearance with their torn flags brought tears to many eyes. They were welcomed by M. I. Mills, the mayor of the city. The flags were presented by General O. B. Willcox, and an address was delivered by Governor H. H. Crapo ; the religious exercises were conducted by Bishop McCoskry and Rev. Dr. Duffield.
The total number of men sent from the State during the war was 90,747, of which Wayne County contributed 9,213, or a little more than one tenth of the whole number, and fully two thirds of those, or over 6,000, were from Detroit.
The number of men lost to the State, as near as can be determined, was as follows : Officers killed, 177; died of wounds, 85; died of disease, 96; total, 358. Men killed, 2,643 ; died of wounds, 1,302 ; of disease, 10,040 ; total, 13,985. Whole total, 14,343.
The associations organized to supply comforts for the soldiers in hospitals, camp, and field were a marked feature of the war. The smoke of the first battle had hardly disappeared before scores of De- troit ladies were busily engaged in scraping lint, and in collecting and preparing needed comforts for the sick and wounded.
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