USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 15
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H. Rathbone, at Anburn, N. Y. He came to Flint in 1847. " As a lawyer, he stood in many respects at the head of his profession. His opinion upon any law point was con- sidered by his professional brethren as almost conclusive." He drew up the first charter of the city of Flint, as well as the present one, and was the author of the Articles of Association of the Genesee County Agricultural Society, and the Glenwood Cemetery Association, and was for twenty years continuously a member of the school board of Flint. In the fall of 1872 he was elected Representative in the State Legislature, where he came to be considered a leader, and one of the soundest thinkers iu the House. His death, which occurred at Lansing, April 26, 1873, was doubtless the result of excessive labor which he imposed upon himself in his earnest interest for the welfare of the State. The Hon. Charles M. Croswell (now Governor), then Speaker of the House, said, " It is no exaggeration to say that in the death of Mr. Walker the House has lost one of its best and ablest members. . .. Shrinking from no labor, with watchful attention to every detail, he was never satis- fied until he had thoroughly mastered his subject. Then, with clearness of argument and aptness of illustration, he presented his views, almost invariably to receive the sanc- tion and approval of his associates."
Alexander P. Davis, a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., emigrated to Michigan, and settled at an early day in Livingston Co., from whence, in 1842, he removed to Flint, where he engaged in the profession to which he was bred,-that of the law,-in which he ranked among its most prominent members in the county of Genesee. During his residence of nearly thirty years in the county, he was elected to the offices of prosecuting attorney, State senator (two terms), and to other honorable positions, as may be seen by reference to the Genesee civil list. The latter part of his life was passed at Fentonville, where he died, March 4, 1871.
Other prominent lawyers who commenced the practice of the profession in Genesee County prior to 1850 were Robt. J. S. Page, who commenced practice in Flint as early as 1838, and afterwards filled the offices of probate judge and circuit court commissioner ; George R. Cummings, who was admitted to the bar about 1842, and afterwards filled the office of county clerk; Ellsworth S. Walkley, who settled in the township of Genesee, and was elected to the office of county judge under the old judicial system ; Chauncey K. Williams, who was at Fentonville before 1840; and Joseph K. Rugg, who came to Flint in 1843; the last mentioned filling the office of prosecuting attorney of this county for the years 1847 to 1852; he being the first incumbent of the office after it became elective in 1850.
THE PRESENT BAR OF GENESEE.
The present bar of Genesee County is composed of the following-named gentlemen, viz .: Oscar Adams, William O. Axford, Oscar Bradley, Samuel L. Brigham, William M. Carrier, George H. Durand, George B. Daly, Henry Fenton, George R. Gold, Sumner Howard, Henry Hoffman, Charles H. Johnson, Ransom Johnson, Charles D. Long, Henry R. Lovell, E. S. Lee, Charles E. MeAlester, Wil- liam Newton, Leroy Parker, Henry C. Riggs, John Z.
61
GENESEE CIVIL LIST.
Richards, Marvin L. Seeley, Thaddeus G. Smith, William Stevenson, Edward H. Thomson, James L. Topping, E. M. Thayer, Henry C. Van Atta, Alvah W. Wood, George M. Walker, Charles H. Wisner, Robbins Jones.
GENESEE CIVIL LIST.
In this list the names are given of those who have held county offices, and also of those resident in Genesee County who have held important offices in or under the State or National government.
STATE OFFICERS.
GOVERNOR.
Henry H. Crapo. First inanguration, Jan. 4, 1865 ; second inau- guration, Jan. 2, 1867.
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.
William M. Fenton. First term of service, 1848-49 ; second term of service, 1850-51.
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE TERRITORY. Thomas J. Drake, Daniel Le Roy .**
DELEGATE TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1835. (Convened at Detroit, May 11, 1835 ; adjourned June 24, 1835.) Norman Davison.t
DELEGATE TO FIRST CONVENTION OF ASSENT. (Convened at Ann Arbor, Sept. 26, 1836.) Thomas J. Drake.
DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1850. (Convened at Lansing, June 3, 1850.) John Bartow, Elbridge G. Gale, De Witt C. Leach.
DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1867. (Convened at Lansing, May 15, 1867.) Sumner Howard, Henry R. Lovell, Thaddeus G. Smith.
REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.
Josiah W. Begole (XLIII. Congress), elected in 1872. George H. Durand (XLIV. Congress), cleeted in 1874.
STATE TREASURER. William B. MeCrecry, Jan. 1, 1875, to Jan. 1, 1879.
CIRCUIT JUDGES.
John S. Goodrich,? elected 1851.
Sanford M. Green, 1852 to 1857.
STATE SENATORS.
Charles C. Hascall, Flint River, served 1835-36. John Bartow, Flint River, 1838. Thomas J. Drake, | Flint River, 1839-41. Daniel B. Wakefield, Grand Blane, 1842-43. William M. Fenton, Fentonville, 1846-47.
* These gentlemen wero members of the Fourth Legislative Coun- eil (1830-31), representing Oakland County. Both were afterwards citizens of Genesee County.
t Judge Davison was also a delegate to the second Convention of Assent, which convened at Ann Arbor, Dee. 14, 1836. In both these conventions he represented Lapeer County, as the township in which he resided (Atlas) had not then been annexed to Genesee.
¿ In this convention Mr. Drake was tho delegato for Saginaw, Genesce, and Shiawassee Counties. Of tho seventy-six votes polled in Genesee (election Sopt. 12, 1836), ho received forty-throe, and his opponent, Daniel B. Wakefield, thirty-three.
¿ Did not qualify.
[ President pro tempore April 1, 1810, and Feb. 24, 1841.
Elijah B. Witherbee, Flint, 1847.T
Edward II. Thomson, Flint, 1848-19. Enos Goodrich, Atlas, 1853-54. Reuben Goodrich, Atlas, 1855-56. James Seymour, Flushing, 1857-58.
Alexander P. Davis, Flint, 1859-60.
Elbridge G. Gale, Atlas, 1861-62. Henry 11. Crapo, Flint, 1863-61.
Aloxander P. Davis, Flint, 1865-66.
Willard B. Arms, Fenton, 1867-68.
Thaddeus G. Smith, Fenton, 1869-70.
Josiah W. Begole, Flint, 1871-72.
James L. Curry, Vienna, 1873-74.
George W. Fish, Flint, 1875-76.
Francis H. Rankin, Flint, 1877-78.
Simeon R. Billings, Richfield, 1879.
REPRESENTATIVES, STATE LEGISLATURE.
Jeremiah R. Smith, ** Grand Blane, served 1837-38, 41-12
John L. Gage, Flint, 1843.
Robert D. Lamond, Flint, 1844.
George H. Hazelton, Flint, 1845-46.
Enos Goodrich, Atlas, 1847.
Alfred Pond, Flushing, 1847.
William Blades, Flint, 1848. Samuel N. Warren, Fentonville, 1848.
. Daniel Dayton, Grand Blane, 1849. Joseph II. Kilbourne, Atlas, 1849.
Joshua K. Abbott, Grand Blane, 1850.
De Witt C. Leach, Mundy, 1850.
Charles N. Beecher, Genesee, 1851-52.
Joseph S. Fenton, Fenton, 1851-52. Elbridge G. Gale, Atlas, 1853-54.
James Seymour, Flushing, 1853-54.
Abraham Middleswarth, Argentine, 1855-56. Daniel N. Montague, Thetford, 1855-56.
Charles N. Beecher, Flint, 1857-58. Reuben Goodrich, Atlas, 1857-58. Benjamin Grace, Fentonville, 1859-60. Edward II. Thomson, Flint, 1859-60.
Alexander W. Davis, Grand Blanc, IS61-62.
Francis H. Rankin, Flint, 1861-62.
Francis H. Rankin, Flint, 1863-64. Thaddens G. Smith, Fenton, 1863-64.
George W. Thayer, Mount Morris, 1863-64.
James Van Vleet, Gaines, 1865-66. Robert P. Aitken, Flint, 1865-66.
George W. Thayer, Mount Morris, 1865-66.
James Van Vleet, Gaines, 1867-68.
Robert P. Aitken, Flint, 1867-68.
Chandler H. Rockwood, Genesce, 1867-68.
Dexter Horton, Fenton, 1869-70. Edward M. Mason, Flint, 1869-70.
James L. Curry, Vienna, 1869-70.
James B. Mosher, Fenton, 1871-72. Oscar Adams, Flint, 1871-72.
John I. Phillips, ff Vienna, 1871.
Georgo Kipp, Atlas, 1873-74. Levi Walker,## Flint, 1873. Frederick Walker, Mount Morris, 1873-74.
James B. Mosher, Fenton, IS75-76. Le Roy Parker, Flint, 1875-76. Simeon R. Billings, Richfield, 1875-76.
John Willett, Flint, 1877-78.
Simeon R. Billings, Richfield, 1877-78.
John Willett, Flint, 1879. Jacob Bedtelyon, Atlas, 1879.
T E. B. Witherbee died Feb. 20, 1847; vacaney thus occasioned filled by William M. Fenton.
** First elected to this office Feb. 4, 1837. At this election the wholo number of votes cast was 310, of which Jeremiah R. Smith received 231; William F. Mosely, 74; David Mather, 1; Norris Thorp, 1.
It Died during term of office. Vacancy filled by Frederick Walker. ## Died during term. Le Roy Parker elected to fill vacancy.
62
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
JUDGES OF PROBATE.
Samuel Rice, elected 1836.
Warner Lake, IS52.
Ogden Clark, 1844.
Samuel B. Wicks, 1860.
Charles D. Little, 1848.
L. G. Bickford, 1866.
R. J. S. Page, 1850 .*
George R. Gold, 1868.
llenry I. lliggius, 1850.
Thaddeus G. Smith, t 1876.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
P. II. McOmber, served 1839-40. W. F. Mosely, IS41.
Sumner Howard, 1858.
Chauncey W. Wisner, 1860.
M. L. Drake, 1842-44.
Alexander P. Davis, 1862.
Edward H. Thomson, 1845-46.
Sumner Howard, 1864, '66, '68.
Joseph K. Rugg. 1847-49.
HI. R. Lovell, 1870, '72.
Joseph K. Rugg,¿ elected 1850.
Charles D. Long, 1874, '76, '78.
SHERIFFS.
Lewis Buckingham, elected 1836, '38.
Reuben McCreery, 1840.
Claudius T. Thompson, 1860, '62. John A. Kline, 1864, '66.
William Clifford,{ 1842.
Geo. W. Buckingham, 1868, '70.
Reuben McCreery, 1844, '46.
John A. Kline, 1872.
William Blades, 1848.
Engene Parsell, 1874.
George S. Hopkins, 1850, '52.
Philo D. Phillips, 1876, '78.
Lyman G. Buckingham, 1854, '56.
COUNTY CLERKS.
Robert F. Stage, elected 1836.
George B. Merriman, 1858.
W. A. Morrison, 1839.
George R. Gold, 1860, '62.
Thomas R. Cummings, 1842.
Charles D. Long, 1864, '66, '68,
Charles E. Dewey, 1844.
170.
George R. Cummings, 1846.
Lorenzo D. Cook, 1872, '74.
Andersou Rump, IS48, '50, '52.
David P. Halsey, 1876, '78.
Mark D. Seeley, 1854, '56.
REGISTERS OF DEEDS.
Oliver G. Wesson, elected 1836.
William II. C. Lyon, 185S.
Benjamin Rockwell, 1840, '42.
George F. Ilood, 1860, '62.
Lewis G. Bickford, 1844, '46, '48.
Benjamin J. Lewis, 1864.
George R. Cummings, 1850.
John Algoe, 1866, '68, '70, '72.
Charles Seymour, 1852. George E. Taylor, 1874, '76.
Fitch R. Tracy, 1854, '56.
Charles C. Beahan, 1878.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
C. D. W. Gibson, elocted 1836, Josiah W. Begole, 1856, '5S, '60, 738. *62.
Orrin Safford, 1840, '42, 44.
llarlow Whittlesey, 1864, '66.
Augustus St. Amand, 1846, '48, '50.
William W. Barnes, 1872.
John L. Gage, | 1851.
Charles C. Beahan, 1874.
Reuben McCreery, 1852, '54. . Samnel R. Atherton, 1876, 78.
GENESEE COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION.
On the 31st of December, 1857,-pursuant to a pub- lished call signed by William M. Fenton, C. C. Haseall, and about one hundred and eighty other citizens of Genesee, -a meeting was held at the hall of the Flint Scientific Institute for the purpose of forming a " pioneer society," to be composed of persons who had become resident in the county as early as the year 1840. Benjamin Pearson was
called to the chair, and Dr. Elijah Drake was made seere- tary of the meeting. A committee was chosen, composed of Hon. William M. Fenton, Hon. Edward H. Thomson, and H. M. Henderson, Esq., who were charged with the duty of preparing a constitution and by-laws for the pro- posed society, and the meeting then adjourned to the 22d of February next following. At the meeting held accord- ing to adjournment the committee reported a constitution for the " Genesee County Pioneer Association," which was adopted, and the society was organized under that name by the election of the following-named gentlemen as its first officers : President, Hon. Jeremiah R. Smith. Recording Secretary, Elijah Drake, M.D. Corresponding Secretary, Hon. Charles P. Avery. Treasurer, Henry M. Henderson, Esq. Librarian, Manley Miles, M.D. Vice-Presidents (one in each township of the county) : Atlas, Enoch Good- rich ; Argentine, William H. Hicks ; Burton, Perus Ather- ton ; Clayton, Alfred Pond ; Davison, Goodenough Town- send ; Fenton, Robert Le Roy ; Flint township, John Todd; Flint City, Charles C. Hascall ; Flushing, John Patton ; Forest, John Crawford ; Gaines, Hartford Cargill ; Genesee, Sherman Stanley; Grand Blane, Silas D. Halsey ; Montrose, John MeKenzie; Mount Morris, Ezekiel R. Ewing; Mundy, Morgan Baldwin ; Richfield, Jeremiah Stanard; Thetford, Benoni Clapp; Vienna, Russell G. Hurd.
It has been the custom of the members of the association, from the time of its organization until the present, to hold annual reunions, at which, after the transaction of the routine business for the year, addresses and narratives of pioneer experience are listened to from such of the early settlers as are disposed to give them. For many years past these yearly gatherings have been held at Long Lake, in the town of Fenton (usually in the month of August), and they are regarded as occasions of great enjoyment and interest.
The officers of the association for 1879 are as follows : President, George S. Woodhull; Vice-President, Dexter Horton ; Treasurer, Elisha Larned ; Secretary, W. H. H. Smith; Executive Committee, William O'Dell, W. I. Williams, Mundy ; John Barson, Argentine ; Ezra Wis- ner, Clio; S. D. Halsey, Grand Blane.
CHAPTER X.
MILITARY RECORD OF GENESEE.
Genesee in the Mexican War-The War of the Rebellion-The Flint Union Grays-They join the 2d Infantry-Organization and De- parture of the Regiment-Arrival at Washington-Bull Run Cam - paign-Peninsula Campaign-Battles of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks-The Seven Days' Fight-Campaign under Gen. Pope- Fredericksburg-Campaigns in Kentucky and Mississippi-In East Tennessee-Veteran Re-enlistment-Campaign of the Wilderness- In Front of Petersburg-Fall of Petersburg-Muster Out, and Return llome.
THE first public exigeney which required the calling out of troops after Genesee became a county, was the war with Mexico,-1846 to 1848. At that time the population of the county was small, and among its people there could be
* Appointed to fill vacancy, and acted as judge of probate for a few months.
+ Still in office,-1879.
+ First prosecuting attorney elected in Genesee County.
¿ J. C. Griswold, under-sheriff, performed the duties of the office during the term of Mr. Clifford.
|| Filled vacancy caused by the departure of Mr. St. Amand for Europe, in October, 1851.
James Van Vleet, 1868, "0.
Alexander P. Davis, 1852, '54, '56.
Lewis Buckingham, 1858.
63
SECOND INFANTRY.
found but comparatively few who could be spared from the cabins and elearings, where they stood on constant duty as sentinels to guard their families against the assaults of hunger and want. Nevertheless there were some men of Genesee, both officers and soldiers, who followed their country's flag to the fields of far-off Mexico. The 1st Regiment of Michigan Volunteers was commanded by Col. T. B. W. Stockton, of Flint, and among the companies which composed it was that of Capt. Hanscom, of Pontiac, which, though made up largely of Oakland County volun- teers, yet contained a few from Genesee. The 15th United States Regiment also contained Michigan companies, and one of these was commanded by Capt. Eugene Van De Venter, of Genesee. In that company were Alexander W. Davis, of Grand Blanc, severely wounded at Churubusco ; William R. Buzzell, who died of disease in the city of Mexico, Oct. 29, 1847; Claudius H. Riggs, of Grand Blanc, who died at Vera Cruz, July 12, 1847 ; Robert Handy, reported as dead in Mexico; and Henry L. Bran- noek, who survived his term of service ; and perhaps others, whose names cannot be given. The regiment of which Capt. Van de Venter's company was a part was in the divi- sion of Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, of Tennessee. Of Genesee County soldiers who served in Capt. Hanscom's company we can give only the names of James W. Cronk and Norton Cronk, of Clayton, the former of whom died in Mexico.
But the real military history of Genesee commenced in those spring days of 1861, when the guns of besieged Sumter sounded a war-signal which reverberated across the hills and streams from occan to lake. And it is a history of which the people of the county may well be proud. During the period which intervened between the birth and the death of the great Rebellion, Genesee gave to the war more than two thousand men, whose names are recorded on the rolls of one rifle, one engineer, ten cavalry, and twenty- three infantry regiments, and nine batteries of Michigan, besides several infantry, cavalry, and artillery organizations of other States, and one regiment of United States Volun- teers. Several of the regiments most noticeable for the number of Genesee County men serving in them are espe- cially mentioned below in historical sketches of their or- ganization and services in the great war for the Union.
SECOND INFANTRY.
When, at the fall of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln called on the several loyal States for an army of seventy- five thousand men to sustain the power of the government against a rebellion which had unexpectedly proved formida- ble, Governor Blair, of Michigan, responded by issuing his proclamation calling for twenty companies out of the uni- formed volunteer force of the State, with field and staff officers, to compose two regiments of infantry, to be placed at the disposal of the President if required. The War Department had placed the quota of Michigan at one full regiment, but the Governor very wisely concluded-and the people of Michigan concurred in the opinion-that a second regiment should be made ready for service if it should be needed, as he believed it would be. Three days after the Governor's call ( April 19th) the State's quota was filled, and her first regiment ready for muster into the ser-
vice of the United States, fully equipped with arms, am- munition, and clothing, awaiting only the orders of the War Department ; and on the 13th of May it left Detroit for Washington, being the first regiment to arrive at the capital from any point west of the Alleghany Mountains.
The Governor's call for twenty companies had been promptly and fully responded to, and so, after making up the 1st Regiment, there still remained ten companies, which, having failed to secure places in the 1st, were ready and anxious to be organized as the 2d Regiment of Michigan. And among these companies was " The Flint Union Grays." This company had existed in the city of Flint from the year 1857. We find mention of the first opening of their armory in Flint, Oct. 2, 1858 (at which time they were expecting, but had not yet received, their arms from the State Arsenal), and the election of civil and military offi- cers of the company, as follows :
President, L. Wesson ; Vice-President, William P. IIum- phrey ; Secretary, W. F. Beardsley ; Treasurer, William R. Morse ; Captain, T. B. W. Stockton ; 1st Lieutenant, Wm. R. Morse ; 2d Lieutenant, William Turver ; 3d Lieutenant, Levi Failing ; 1st Sergeant, L. Wesson ; 2d Sergeant, C. Peabody ; 3d Sergeant, R. M. Barker ; 4th Sergeant, James Farrand; 1st Corporal, A. J. Boss, Jr. ; 2d Corporal, L. Church ; 3d Corporal, W. Boomer ; 4th Corporal, William Charles ; Armorer, O. McWilliams.
Probably there were none among this list of officers who had then ever dreamed of such scenes as some of them after- wards saw at Williamsburg, Malvern Hill, and the Wilder- ness, or of the fame which their company was destined to win on a score of bloody fields. But the people of Flint and of Genesee County were proud of it then, as they had reason to be in far greater degree afterwards .*
Immediately after the publication of the Governor's proc- lamation, and when it was known that the Grays would volunteer in a body, a large and extremely enthusiastic public meeting was held (April 18th) at the court-house in Flint. A circular letter of the War Committee, in Detroit, was read and acted on, and the meeting adopted a series of intensely patriotic resolutions, among which was the follow- ing : " That the young men comprising the military company of this city, and those who may volunteer to fill up its ranks in this emergency of our common country, are worthy of all encouragement and praise for their patriotism, and that we will contribute all sums necessary to sustain and support the families of all members of said company who may be mus- tered into the service of the United States, if they need such aid; we will also contribute our full proportion of the amount required to equip and muster into the service of the United States the two regiments required from the State of Michigan." A committee, composed of William M. Fenton, E. H. McQuigg, and H. M. Henderson, was ap- pointed to carry out so much of this resolution as applied to the raising of money as a loan to the State, and J. B. Walker, E. S. Williams, and A. P. Davis were appointed a like committee to carry into effect that part which promised aid and support to the families of volunteers. In the pub-
" This company furnished to various commands in the t'nion army during the war of the Rebellion, six field-officers, eleven captains, amit eighteen lieutenants,-a very unusual company record.
64
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
lished account of the proceedings of that meeting, it is men- tioned that "every Union.word uttered was greeted with thunders of applause."
On the 23d of April the Grays met for the choice of officers, and the following were elected to the commissioned grades : Captain, William R. Morse ; Ist Lieutenant, Wil- liam Turver; 2d Lieutenant, James Farrand. Four ser- geants and four corporals were also elected, but as the non- commissioned list was changed soon afterwards, it is not given here.
On the eve of their departure to join the 2d Regiment at its rendezvous the Grays paraded through the principal streets of Flint, and were addressed, in the presence of a great concourse of patriotie and admiring spectators, by Col. Fen- ton, whose remarks on the occasion were reported by the Citizen in its next issue, as follows : " The Hon. W. M. Fenton had been with the company for about a year, and constantly engaged for two weeks past iu perfecting the en- listment, and preparing for its departure. At the request of Capt. Morse he now addressed the officers and men, alluding to the new position they were about to occupy,-its great im- portance ; the entire change now to take place in their habits of life ; the necessity for prompt obedience to the commands of their superiors, and of true courage, as contradistinguished from brutality. He exhorted them to remember that the eyes of the friends they were to leave behind would be con- stantly on them, in whatever situation they might be placed ; their ears open to every report of their action ; their prayers ascending night and morn for their welfare and success ; and that the fervent hope would animate them, that those who now went forth to stand by their country in its hour of trial would return with laurels honorably won in its service. After giving them some practical hints as to their mode of life, the importance of strict cleanliness, and temperance in both meat and drink, he asked if any one of them would object to take an oath, substantially as follows :
" ' I do solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will support the constitution of the United States, and maintain it and my country's flag, if necessary, with my life ; that I will obey the commands of my superior officers while in service, and will defend and protect my comrades in battle to the best of my physical ability.' None object- ing, the oath was repeated aloud, with uplifted hand, by all the officers and members of the company. The scene was solemn and impressive, and was appropriately closed by a benediction from the Rev. Mr. Joslin."
Another ceremony, no less interesting, was the presenta- tion to each member of the company of a copy of the New Testament. Ninety-five of these had been furnished, and prepared for the purpose, by the members of the Methodist Episcopal Sabbath-school, each book having upon its fly-leaf this inscription :
" PRESENTED BY THE SABBATH-SCHOOL OF THE METHODIST E. CHURCH, FLINT, MICHIGAN,
OF THE
FLINT UNION GRAYS, April 30, 1861.
" ' My men, put your trust in the Lord,-and be sure you keep your powder dry. OLIVER CROMWELL.' "
This presentation was made while the Grays stood in line, with open ranks, at the corner of Saginaw and Kearsley Streets. A number of ladies of Flint passed along the line, and pinned upon the breast of each soldier a tri-colored rosette, bearing the words, " The Union and the Constitu- tion !" and nearly every one of the spectators wore the red, white, and blue upon some part of their dress. A presen- tation of revolvers to the commissioned officers of the com- pany was made by the Hon. E. H. Thomson ; "and as he assigned to each pistol its particular mission, and alluded to their uses, the enthusiasm of the crowd around was enkindled anew."
The company left Flint on the 30th of May, being trans- ported to Fentonville in wagons and other vehicles, of which a greater number than were needed for the purpose were on hand, furnished by the patriotic citizens. The column was headed by the Flint Band, and was accompanied by a large number of relatives and friends of the soldiers; and the plank-road company passed them all toll-free. Taking the cars of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, at Fentonville, the Grays soon reached Detroit, and were reported at Fort Wayne, the regimental rendezvous.
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