History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 23

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 683

USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 23

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

No one who was not present can ever realize the bitter- ness of humiliation and despair that pervaded the rank and file of the army as they turned their backs upon a victori- ous field, and marched away in the gloour of the night, and

SIXTEENTII INFANTRY.

through the mud and pouring rain of the succeeding morn- ing, to seek the protection of the gunboats in the river against a beaten foe, who was at the same time retreating in an opposite direction. But the wearied and dispirited men struggled on, some in sullen silence, some eursing, and some actually weeping in the agony of their shame, until at last they rested on the banks of the James under the friendly guns of the Union fleet.

Four days after the arrival of the army at Harrison's Landing, the commander of the 5th Corps (Gen. Porter) issued a general order congratulating the officers and men of his command " on the perils through which they have so honorably passed, and the successes they have added by their valor to the glory of our arms," and mentioning especially their gallantry at Yorktown, April 5th ; New Bridge, May 24th ; Hanover Court-House, May 27th ; Me- chanicsville, June 26th ; Gaines' Mill, June 27th ; New Market, June 30th ; and Malvern Hill, July Ist. A com- plimentary order was issued by the commander of the 3d Brigade (in which was the 16th Michigan), as follows :

" HEADQUARTERS BUTTERFIELD'S BRIGADE, MORELL'S DIVISION. " Circular. " BRAVE SOLDIERS OF THE 30 BRIGADE :

" It is with no ordinary pride that your general promulgates to you general orders No. 4, from the headquarters of the army corps. Your bravery and gallantry have won my love, and you are as dear to me as brothers. Let the esprit and the pride which have always distin- guished you be renewed and redoubled. Your children's children will be proud of your noble acts, and your country will love you. Let every one, officers and men, make renewed exertions, and let the next call to arms find the brigade, as it always has been heretofore, unflinch- ing, unfaltering, devoted to the country and the honor of its flag. Let the proud recollections of the glorious names your banner will bear redouble your strength and zeal, so that, as heretofore, you will equal twice your numbers of the enemy.

" By command of " BRIG .- GEN. BUTTERFIEL.D. " Tnos. J. HOYT, Axn't Adj't-Gen." (Signed)

During the night of the 31st of July the enemy on the south side of the river suddenly opened fire from more than fifty pieces of' artillery on the Union army lying on the north side, the camp of Butterfield's brigade being fairly within their range. The scene was a grand and exciting one, and the wildest commotion ensued, the great guns of the fleet in the river adding their thunders to the roar of the cannonade. Very little injury was inflicted, however, on either side. On the following day the 3d Brigade crossed the river, burned the plantation buildings, near which the hostile bat- teries had been placed, and then made a reconnoissance to- wards Petersburg, but, finding no enemy, returned to the river and bivouacked on the Rufhn plantation, where it re- mained five days, foraging on the country, and at the end of that time recrossed the river to its former position. After this, few, if any, noteworthy events occurred in the expe- rience of the 16th during the remainder of its stay at llar- rison's Landing.

In the night of the 14th of August the regiment struck camp, and, with its corps, took the advance in the march of the army down the Peninsula, reaching Hampton after three days' and one night's march. There was a striking contrast between the appearance of the haggard and tat- tered remnant of the 16th Michigan, who now returned to

their old camping-place, and that of Stockton's Independent Regiment of well-fed and healthy men, as they had marched away from the same place a little more than four months before, but their hope and courage were still high, and none were doubtful of ultimate triumph. On the 19th they took transports for Acquia Creek, and arrived there the follow- ing morning, proceeding thence by railroad to Fredericks- burg. Remaining there until the evening of the 23d, the line of march was then taken northwestwardly along the left bank of the Rappahannock, and after an eventless march, and some countermarching, reached Kelley's Ford on the 26th. During the night orders were received to burn such regimental and company property as could not be carried, and to be ready to march at daybreak for the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. On arriving at Bealton Station, it was reported that the enemy had de- stroyed a portion of the railroad between that place and Alexandria, and had captured and burned a large amount of property. Rations had become very low, and a forced march was necessary to make a junetion with the Army of Virginia, under Gen. Pope, which was effected by the corps at Groveton, August 20th. While at this place the troops were formed in line of battle, but no engagement occurred. For his failure to engage the enemy, Gen. Porter was severely censured by Gen. Pope.

The command then moved towards Manassas, and on the 30th a new position was taken near Bull Run. The bri- gade lay for hours under a heavy artillery fire, until about the middle of the afternoon, when the regiments were formed in column by division, and ordered to advance. The infantry of the enemy lay well protected in a deep railroad excavation, and a large number of artillery pieces were posted in the rear of the infantry and on higher ground. When the 3d Brigade had reached an open field, the enemy poured into its ranks an infernal fire of artillery and masketry. The brigade advanced most gallantly to within a few yards of the enemy's infantry, and on that spot the bones of its brave men who fell on that day were found when the survivors again marched over the field months afterwards. While the brigade was engaged at this point a force of the enemy attacked in flank, and they were thus forced back in disorder and with severe loss. No troops ever better deserved victory than did the Union forces on that day, and that they did not obtain it was no fault of theirs. It was because " some one had blundered." The loss of the regiment in this battle was seventy-nine killed and wounded (among whom were three color-bear- ers) and seventeen missing. Capt. Randolph W. Ransom, of Flint, was also among the killed.

After this crowning disaster the command fell back, by way of Centreville and Hall's Hill (their winter-camp of 1861-62), to Arlington, where a rest of ten days was had, during which time Col. Stockton returned from his cap- tivity in Richmond, and the regiment received considerable accessions to its numbers from hospitals and other sources. On the 12th of September the brigade, under command of Col. Stockton, moved, with the 5th Corps, on the Mary- land campaign, which culminated in the bloody battle of Antietam, September 17th. On that day the 5th Corps was not engaged, though towards evening the 3d Brigade

HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

was ordered first to the right and then back to the left, but sustained no loss.

On the 20th the 5th Corps-the 16th Michigan in ad- vanee-started in pursuit of the retreating columns of Lee, and engaged his rear guard at Shepherdstown Ford, after which the regiment and brigade returned, and camped near Sharpsburg, on Antietam Creek, where the 20th Maine Regiment was added to the brigade.

On the 30th of October the 5th Corps broke camp, and marched, by way of Harper's Ferry (at which point the Potomac River was crossed), to Warrenton, Va. This march occupied ten days, and during its continuance the men of the 16th, in common with those of other regi- ments, foraged almost at will in the country through which they passed, the result of which was that their commis- sariat was abundantly supplied with rations of the best quality. "So well," says Capt. Powers, " was the regiment supplied with poultry, fresh meats, honey, and preserves that the commanding officer of the division made a sly insinuation to Col. Stockton that the 16th must have had a lax training in its youth to so soon forget that high moral culture that had made the Army of the Potomac so fond of furnishing food for the powder of rebel bushwhackers."

On the arrival of the 5th Corps at Warrenton, the regi- ment found itself under a new commander of the Army of the Potomae,-Gen. Burnside,-who had superseded Gen. Mcclellan in that command on the 5th of November, and at about the same time Gen. Porter was relieved of the command of his corps. Gen. Burnside, on assuming com- mand of the army, reorganized it into three grand divisions of two corps each, the 5th and 3d Corps, forming the centre grand division, being placed under command of " Fighting Joe llooker."

The army, resuming its march, reached the Aequia Creek Railroad on the 26th of November, and the brigade of which the 16th Michigan formed a part encamped in the vi- cinity of what was afterwards known as Stoneman's Switch.

On the 12th of December the 5th Corps moved to the Rappahannock River, opposite Fredericksburg, where the commander of the army was preparing for the great battle which was fought on the following day. During the prog- ress of that unequal fight the 3d Brigade remained quies- cent until about four p.st, when it was ordered across the river. It crossed, and formed line in the outskirts of the town, then advanced under a heavy fire of musketry and canister, halting near the front, at a point which was slightly protected by the conformation of the field. This position was held, but with some loss, until darkness closed the contest for the day. The fight was renewed on the 14th, but the results were far less sanguinary, and both sides held their ground, though the general result was most disastrous to the Union arms.

At midnight of the 15th the brigade went to the front and withdrew all the pickets on that part of the field, and shortly after daylight crossed to the north side of the Rap- pahannock, as the main body of the army had done during the night.

The 16th Regiment cannot be said to have participated prominently in the battle of Fredericksburg, but it per- formed all that was required of it, and in doing so sus-

tained a loss of twenty-three killed and wounded. After the battle it went into winter-quarters at Stoneman's Switch.

In the spring, after Gen. Hooker had been placed in command of the army, and was making preparations for that forward movement which ended at Chancellorsville, the 16th moved, with the other regiments of the command, to the Rappahannock, and passed up on the left bank of the river April 27th. It crossed to the south side of the stream ou the 28th, and was present on the field of Chancellorsville during all of the three bloody days succeeding May Ist, taking part in the fight at Hooker's headquarters on Sun- day, but sustaining no heavy attacks, and losing only one killed and six wounded. At the close of the campaign it. recrossed the river with the army, and returned to camp at Falmouth, where, on the 18th of May at evening parade, Col. Stockton took leave of the regiment, having resigned for the purpose of raising a brigade of Tennessee troops, under authority conferred by Gov. Andrew Johnson, and sanctioned by the War Department. This resignation gave the command of the regiment to Lieut .- Col. Norval E. Welch, who was afterwards killed in an assault upon the enemy's works at Poplar Grove Church, in the Petersburg campaign.

Early in June it was learned that the enemy was moving towards the Shenandoah Valley, and the Army of the Poto- mac was put in motion to meet and oppose him. On the 20th, at Aldie, the 3d Brigade joined Gen. Pleasonton on an expedition to disperse Stuart's Cavalry, which resulted in a fight at Middleburg (June 21st), in which the loss of the 16th was nine wounded, this being one-half the loss of the whole brigade. The command then returned to Akdie, where it remained till the 25th, when it commenced a forced march to Maryland and Pennsylvania, and reached Gettys- burg in the morning of July 20, when the great conflict had already commenced. The 3d Brigade was detached from the remainder of the division, and about three p.M. was posted on the Little Round Top, forming the extreme left of the Union line, the order of the brigade line being as follows: on the left the 20th Maine, Col. Chamberlain ; next, the 33d Pennsylvania, Capt. Woodward ; next the +1th New York, Col. Rice; and on the right, the 16th Mich- igan, Col. Welch ; the brigade being under command of Col. Vincent, who on that day fell mortally wounded. In this position the brigade was soon attacked by Hood's di- vision of Longstreet's corps. The enemy came on impetu- ously, and with great confidence, on account of superiority in numbers (being a division against a single brigade), but his repeated assaults were successfully repelled. Ilis last attack was made simultaneously on the front and flank of the brigade, so that the Maine regiment was compelled to change face to repel the flanking coluum. But the work was bravely and successfully done, and then, when ammu- nition was well-nigh exhausted, and no reinforcements near, Col. Rice ( who succeeded to the command of the brigade when Vincent fell) sent word to each of the regimental commanders to fix bayonets, and, on a signal from him, to · charge. The enemy received the charge steadily at first, then wavered, rallied, wavered again, and at last broke in confusion, with a loss of five hundred prisoners, and over one thousand stand of arms. The brigade pressed on

SIXTEENTH INFANTRY.

through the valley, and halted with its left resting on Big Round Top, on which its line was soon after established. The fighting at Little Round Top-was nearly all in which the 16th took active part at Gettysburg, and in it the loss of the regiment was sixty, in killed and wounded. In the morning of the 3d the brigade was relieved, and took posi- tion in the rear of the main line. Ou the morning of July 5th it was discovered that the enemy had retreated, and the 15th marched with the army in pursuit. Slight collisions were had with Lee's rear guard, at Jones' Cross-Roads, on the 10th, and at Williamsport, Md., on the 12th of July. On the 17th the regiment crossed the Potomac at Berlin, and was almost constantly on the march from that time until September 16th, when it reached Culpeper. There it remained till October 7th, when it moved to Raccoon Ford, and crossed the Rapidan. It crossed the Rappahannock on the 10th, recrossed on the 11th, and moved to Brandy Sta- tion, where the enemy was attacked by a portion of the corps, but the 16th Regiment was not engaged. Another period then ensued of marching and countermarching (with a stay of a week in camp on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad ) until the 7th of November, when the 16th was slightly engaged, and lost three wounded in the capture of a rebel work near Rappahannock Station. It moved with the army, November 26th, on the Mine Run campaign, which ended without results on the 2d of December, when the regiment went into camp on the north bank of the Rap- pahannock, near the railway-station.

At this place nearly three hundred members of the regi- ment re-enlisted as veterans, were mustered as such on the 24th of December, and about a week later left for Michi- gan on furlough, reaching Detroit on the 9th of January. At the expiration of their furlough, February 9th, they re- assembled at Saginaw City, and on the 17th left that place to rejoin the army. On their return the regiment made winter-quarters at Bealton Station, and remained there till April 30, 1864, when they moved to Brandy Station, pre- paratory to commencing the campaign of the Wilderness.

In that campaign the movements of the 16th were too numerous to follow in detail. It moved across the Rapidan at Germania Ford, May 4th, and on the 6th and 7th took part in the battles of the Wilderness, sustaining no loss on the 6th, but losing on the following day thirty-five in killed and wounded. On the 8th it made a forced march to Laurel Hill, near Spottsylvania Court-House, and in the evening of that day was attacked by the enemy in an almost impassable swamp, but its loss was inconsiderable, while a considerable number of the enemy were taken prisoners. May 22d the 16th moved from Spottsylvania towards the North Anna River, and, being the advance guard of the corps, it encountered the rear guard of the enemy at Polecat Creek, and captured a considerable number of prisoners. The next day it was engaged at North Anna River, where it charged successfully, and drove the enemy. It crossed the Pamunkey River at Hanover Town, in the morning of the 28th, and assisted in throwing up works on South Creek. On the 29th it moved to Tolopotomoy Creek, and crossed it just before evening. May 30th, moved forward and became engaged with the enemy, losing the major, Robert T. Elliott, who was killed at the head of the regiment. Ou

June Ist the brigade was ordered to advance its line, and in doing so was brought under a raking cross-fire. The 16th advanced, and drove the enemy from their rifle-pits, and held the position thus secured. The next day the corps took up a new position, and while the movement was in progress the enemy attacked in heavy force, but a heavy storm came up and stopped the battle, which, however, was renewed on the 3d of June, and again on the 4th. This three days' fight was near Bethesda Church, and in it the 16th Regiment was engaged during each day. From this point it moved by way of Cold Harbor and Dispatch Sta- tion to the left bank of the Chickahominy, and there re- mained until the 12th, this being its first rest since crossing the Rapidan on the 4th of May ; the intervening time having been constantly employed in march, skirmish, or battle.

On the 13th of June the regiment crossed the Chicka- hominy by the Long Bridge, and marched to the James River, which it crossed on the 16th, and arrived in front of Petersburg on the 17th. Then followed a month of severe labor in the trenches, from which the regiment was relieved and placed in reserve August 15th. Three days later it moved to the Weldon Railroad, and was there engaged in the construction and occupation of defenses until September 30th, when it formed part of the force which stormed and carried the enemy's fortifications near Poplar Grove Church, in which desperate assault the 16th lost fifty-two killed and wounded, among the former being the commanding officer of the regiment, Col. Welch, who died on the parapet.

For more than two months after this battle the regiment lay most of the time in the trenches at Poplar Grove Church. In December it accompanied the corps on a raid to Bellefield, Va., on which about sixteen miles of railroad was destroyed. It was in the trenches before Petersburg during January, 1865, and on the 6th and 7th of February took part in the battle of Dabney's Mills, losing heavily. It fought at Hatcher's Run, March 25th ; at White Oak Road, March 29th ; at Quaker Road, March 31st ; at Five Forks, April 1st ; at Amelia Court-House, April 5th ; and at High Bridge, April 6th. After Lee's surrender it marched to Suth- erland Station, where it remained stationed during April, and early in May it marched to Washington, D. C., arriving there on the 12th and taking part in the grand review of the Army of the Potomac, May 23d. It was encamped near Washing- ton until the 16th of June, when it moved under orders for Louisville, Ky., arriving there on the 21st. Thence it moved across the river to Jeffersonville, Ind., and was there mustered out of service July 8th. The men and officers left on the 10th for Michigan, and on the 12th arrived at Jack- son, where, on the 25th of July, 1865, they received their pay and were disbanded.

OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN OF THE SIXTEENTH INFANTRY FROM GENESEE COUNTY.

('ol. Thomas B. W. Stockton, Flint; Ang. 22, 18G1 ; res. May 18, 1863. Surgeon Isaac Wixom, Argentine ; Ang. 19, INnit.

Qr-Mart. Sorgt. Henry 11. Aplin, Flint; pro. to 2d tient., July 7, 1×65 ; must. out ns sergt.

Cmupany C.

Capt. Thomas C. Carr, Flint ; July 30, 18G1 ; killed in battle of Gaines' Mill, Va., Jun- 27, 1862.

Capt. Irving M. Belcher, Fint ; July 1G, 1864; honorally disch, for disability, May 15, 1865,

Ist Lient. Miner S. Newell, Fint; July 30, 1861; app. quemist .; must, out of zervice Sept. 7, 1861.

HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Jat Lieut. Randolph W. Ransom, Flint; Ang. 9. 1861 ; killed in battle at Bull Run, Va., Ang. 30, 1862, was 2d lieut. from July 30, 1861, to Ang. 9, 1861. 21 Lient. Zihn B. Grabam, Flint ; Aug. 30, 1862; trans, to Co. G.

2dl Lient. Menzo Swartz, Flushing ; April 27, 1863; wounded in action at Tol- opotomoy, Va., June 1, 1864 ; pro. to Ist lient. Aug. 3, 1864; must. out as 2d lient, at end of service, Sept. 26, 1864.

Sergt, Irving M. Belcher, Flint ; pro. to com .- sergt. Sept. 22, 186). Sergt. Harrison Way, Foot ; disch. for disability ; died Der, 2, 18G1.

Corp. Arza M. Niles, Flint (sergt.); disch. for wounds, Sept. 9, 1862.

Musician Hemy Davis, FEnt ; disch. Oct. 25, 1862.

Wagoner Thomas Beklen, Flint (corp.); must. ont July 8, 1865.

Merritt Avery, disch. by order, Ang. 12, 1863.

James Appleher, disch, to re-ent. as veteran, Dec. 24, 1863.

Nathaniel N. Anderson, died March 31, 1865.

Edward Bigg, died in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 25, 1862, of wounds rec'd in action. Edward Britton, disch. for disability, Oct. 1, 1862.

Edwin Barlow, disch. for disability, Nov. 13, 1862.

William Bagg, disch. Sept. 7, 1804.

Edward (. Brigg, disch.

Patrick Bradley, died of disease at City Polat, Va., Sept. 16, 1861. Renben Bradish, must. out July 5, 1865.

Juhin S. Copp, must. out .July 8, 1865.

Buyd Culver, disch. for disability, Nov. 13, 1862.

Juhn Conquest, disch. for wounds, Nov. 28, 1862.

Augustus Chapel, disch. May 8, 1862.

James t'rawford, died of wounds at Philadelphia, Pa., June 4, 1864. Hiram G. Darling, died of wounds at New York Harbor, Sept. 1864.

Kli Devoe, disch. for disability, Nov. 13, 1862.

Albert Doan, died of disease in hospital.

Edward Davis, disch, to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 24, 1863.

Dennis Falby, di-ch. by order of surgeons, Feb. 2, 1862.

Smith Forsyth, disch. for di-ability, Feb. 25, 1862.

Grorge llandy, died in action at Spott-ylvania, Va., May 8, 1864.

Roswell Hilton, di-ch. for di-ability, Nov. 13, 1862.

Arthur M. Hodges, veteran ; absent on furlough ; not must, out with company. Orrin Jobbauti, disch. for disability, May 20, 1802.

Charles Knapps, disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 24, 1863. George Muban, disch, to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 24, 1863.

James Mckee, disch. to re-end. as veteran, Dec. 24, 1863. Andrew J. McDowell, disch, for disability, June 17, 1862.

Albert E. MrClellan, disch. for disability, April 21, 1862. Charles Martin, died of wounds at Gettysburg, l'a., July 21, 1863. George W. Monroe, died of disease in hospital.

Russell C. Moon, discharged. El sha Moses, disch. April 1, 1863.

Charles Marion, dich. Feb. 26, 1863.

Milton C. Miller, died In action at Spottsylvania, Va., May 8, 1804.

Patrick Murphy, must. out July 8, 1865.

Ebas Palmer, disch, for disability, Feb. 25, 1802.

Philander Payne, d.sch. Sept. 7, 1864. Gershom Palmer, died of disease at Gaines' Mill, Vn., June 11, 1862. Abruumu Parsons, died of disease at Georgetown, D. C., April 15, 1862. Ira Patterson, died of disease, Aug. 1862. James Richards, died of disease at Annapolis, Md., Aug. 31, 1862.

Juturs Ripley, disch, for disability, Feb. 24, 1863.

Charles H. Root, d.sch. for disability. John Shont, disch. for disability, Feb. 24, 186's.

Charles Starks, died of disease, Sept. 1862.

Samuel P. Smith, disch. to re-eul. as veteran, Dec. 24, 1863.

Nathan Small, must. out July 8, 1865. James Shouks, disch. by order, May 24, 1865. George Turner, disch. Dec. 26, 1862. Garwood Tupper, must. out July 8, 1865.

George Tuwer, dischi. for disability, Dec. 26, 1862.

Thomas Thompson, must. out July 8, 1865.

William Trachout, must, ont July 8, 1865.

Marion Van Riper, disch. for disability. Harrison Way, disch, for disability, Dec. 19, 1862.

David S. Weaver, disch. for disability, April 19, 1562.

Unrry Willer, di-ch. to re-en1. as veteran.

Adouirat A. Worth, dird of disease at Yorktown, Va., May 1, 1862. Abram Way, died May 12, 1864, of wounds rec'd in action at Spottsylvania, Va. Dewitt Williams, disch. Sept. 7. 1864.

OTHER COMPANIES.

E. Frank Eddy, Flint; 2d lient., Co. G, Ang. 9, 1861; wounded in battle of Gaines' Min, Va., June 25, 1862; pro. to 1-t hent., Co. G. Nov. 3, 1862; capt., Co. G, Ang. 11, 1863; pro. to heut -col., 29th Mich. Inf., July 29, 1864.

T Frank Powers. Fenton; sergt., Co. K; 2d lient., Co. A, Nov. 3, 1862; 1st lent., Co. B, June 21, 1864; capt., Co. B, Ang. 3, 1864 ; must. out July 8, 165.

Gilbert R. Chandler, Forest ; 2d lieut., Co. D, July 21, 18G1 ; 1st lient , Sept.

1862; capt., April, 1863 ; lost his left arm in action at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862; was afterwards in battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg ; trans. to Vet Res. Corps, Ang. 11, 1863; must, out of service, Det. 10, 1867. Irving M. Belcher, Flint; sergt., Co. C; 20 lient., Co. B, Aug. 30, 1862; 1st Tient., Co. K, April 17, 1863; pro. to capt Co. C.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 23

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott Number of Pages: 683

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 683