USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan > Part 90
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HON. ISAAC LEWIS,
Was born in Derby, Connecticut, September 25, 1804, and at the age of twenty-four was married to Miss Sophia Redfield, at Clyde, New York. In the spring of 1835 he came to Michi- gan with his family and settled in Monroe, where he has had a continuous residence of more than fifty-four years. Being a moulder by trade, he started the first foundry, outside of Detroit, in Michigan. In 1839, when the Michigan Southern was being built by the State, he cast all the car wheels used by it. He also manufactured and introduced to the farmers of Southern Michigan an improved plow which came into universal use, and holds its place as a favorite among the best of those in use at the present time. During the turbu- lent times of pioneer life and State boundaries he cast the cannon balls intended for use in the Toledo war. At his foundry was east most of the machinery for the construction of the saw and grist mills of this section of the State, and when McCormick, the inventor of the mowing machine, was in need of a first-class mechanie to build his first machine, the job was intrusted to Mr. Lewis, who built it and superintended a series of experiments with it upon the old Caldwell farm, just west of the city.
At the organization of Monroe Lodge, F. & A. M .. July 5, 1848, Mr. Lewis was elected its master, and for three years lent his influence towards the upholding of the Masonic frater- nity in this city, and Monroe Lodge stands to- day as a monument to his zeal and ability.
In 1853 he was appointed United States supervising inspector of steamboats by Presi-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
dent Pierce, holding the position through the terms of Pierce and Buchanan and part of Lin- coln's. During all these years and in traveling thousands of miles he never violated his puri- tanical conscience by breaking the Sabbath. Mr. Lewis's character is best illustrated in this respect by an incident that happened not long since. One of the State's superintendents of the poor called at Mr. Lewis's residence one Sunday morning, and after introducing him- self, informed him that his other duties were so many and arduous that he was compelled to perform those of inspecting the eleemosynary institutions of the State on the Sabbath. " Well," says Mr. Lewis, looking at him sternly, " if your duties are so numerous that you have to violate the Sabbath, you had better resign ; anyway, you cannot inspect our poorhouse on that day," and bidding him good morning, closed the door.
After retiring from the foundry he engaged in the book and stationery business, and con- tinued in it for a number of years, when he laid aside the cares of business life.
He was elected superintendent of the poor October 20, 1863, and has held the position ever since, and was one of the best known superintendents in the State.
During Mr. Lewis's early life he was one of the first lock-tenders on the Erie Canal, and opened the lock at Clyde, New York, when the first canal boat, bearing Governor Clinton and carrying a barrel of Lake Erie water to mingle with the Hudson, passed through. He also per-
formed the same duty when General Lafayette passed through on one of the Erie Canal boats.
For sixty-eight years Mr. Lewis has been an active and conscientious member of the Pres- byterian Church, and for years was one of the elders of the church in this city, and was at the time of his death, which occurred November 17, 1889, aged 85, leaving to survive him his widow and five daughters. He was a gentle- man of the old school and a Democrat.
W. R. GIFFORD, M. D.,
Son of Henry and Almira Gifford, was born May 6, 1843, at Dundee, Monroe county, Mich- igan. Moved on farm near Petersburgh, 1852 ; enlisted in the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics Corps in 1861, and served in the army three years. He returned from the army and went to Oberlin College two years, and then went into the office of D. W. Loree, Ridge- way, Michigan, to study medicine and attend the Michigan State University of Medicine at Ann Arbor, and graduated in March, 1869, and located in Erie, Michigan, in May of same year. Was a very successful practitioner in Erie for many years, and highly esteemed as a physician and citizen. Married in Erie the daughter of Brigham. Dr. Gifford was by flattering inducements led, much to the regret of the citizens of Erie, to remove to Toledo in April, 1886, where he is now engaged in a successful practice. Office and residence, 2005 Adams street, Toledo.
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CHAPTER XL.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION - PUBLIC MEETING AT MONROE -SMITH GUARDS - LADIES AID SOCIETY - ROSTER OF VOLUNTEERS FURNISHED BY MONROE COUNTY - INTERESTING
TABULATED RECORDS- MONROE REGIMENTS -G. A. R. AND W. R. C.
T HE long threatened blow of rebellion was struck in the commencement of cannon- ading of Fort Sumter by the confederate guns at Fort Moultrie. on the morning of April 12, 1861.
The time when the friends of constitutional government and civil liberty must take their stand for or against the Government had arrived.
The enemies of the Union and freedom had reached the point of open hostilities upon the Government they were bound by every consid- eration of loyalty and patriotism to support.
All that forbearance and moderation on the part of order could do had been done to avert the shocking calamity.
The history of the world furnishes no par- allel to either the madness of the offenders or the forbearance of the Government.
The first rebel gun from Sumter (April 12, 1861), the toesin of the gigantic and wicked rebellion, the key note of civil war, had been heard all over the land, the national banner had been insulted by the fire of treason's batter- ies and struck from its prond perch, when the loyal young men of Michigan sprang, as if by magic, to arms to defend and maintain the National Union and protect its flag, to sustain the honor of their State and maintain their own glorious birthright as freemen. They vowed to God and their native land, and pledged their arms and their lives that the be- loved flag of their country should again tri- umphantly wave on the walls of Sumter and over every State and inch of ground in the Union, and that the Republic should be saved and forever preserved. When the surrender of the South Carolina forces became known throughout the land, the entire State of Michi- gan was alive to the emergencies and duties of the hour, and the uprising of the people was universal and unparalleled in history. Flags waved from every public building and private
dwelling, alike on the palace and on the cot, while the drum beat to the music of the Union, from our southern border to the far off and craggy shores of our great lakes. The call of Abraham Lincoln, as it swept over the wires from land's end to land's end, received a patri- otie and prompt response from the loyal hearts of the people of Michigan. The ranks of her battalions were filled on the first alarm. With remarkable promptness her first gallant regi- ment-armed, clothed, equipped and fully appointed-left the State to meet the enemies of American liberty, the first to reach the Na- tional Capital from west of the Allegheny Mountains, and was among the first troops which crossed Long Bridge into Virginia, and composed a part of the command that cap- tured Alexandria, the first city taken from the rebels.
The Michigan " contingent " in the war was largely made up of men who enlisted for three years, and were mainly from the most respect- able and industrious of the community.
Leaving the peaceful avocations of civil life, these men were disciplined into soldiers and converted into heroes, sometimes even during the operations and emergencies of a single campaign. Patient and obedient under the most rigid discipline, persistent and enduring on the long and tedions march, cheerful and untiring in the trenches, apt in experimentand most ingenious in construction, they added to all qualifications and merits true courage in the field, while almost every important action has illustrated their heroism, and almost every battle field is consecrated with their blood. Their service was eagerly sought for by all the best generals, whether to construct a defense. lead a " forlorn hope," or charge a battery.
Michigan troops, prominent at the outset of the rebellion, were in at its death; they were among those who. under the command of the brave and lamented Richardson, first opened
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
fire on the rebels in the vicinity of Bull Run, at Blackburn's Ford ; they were with General McClellan in West Virginia in the first year of the war. and were in South Carolina and Georgia in 1862, and during the year served with the Army of the Potomac on the Penin- sula, and in Maryland ; with General Banks in the Shenandoah Valley ;. in Virginia under General Burnside ; in Louisiana under General Butler ; and in Missouri with General Pope and Colonel Mulligan.
In 1863 they bore a conspicuous and gallant part in the ever memorable campaigns under General Hooker in Virginia and General Meade in Pennsylvania, at the defense of Knoxville by General Burnside, at the capture of Vicks- burg by General Grant, and on the celebrated Kilpatrick raid against Richmond. They were also engaged in the campaign of General Rose- crans against Chattanooga, and were actively employed in the field at various points in Ten- nessee, Mississippi, Kentucky and Louisiana, under other generals.
In 1864-5 they were with General Grant in his great march against Richmond, and bravely participated in most of the hard fought battles of that eventful campaign.
They were also with General Sherman on his remarkable march from Chattanooga to the Sea, and were prominently engaged in most of his memorable and successful battles, and with General Sheridan in his matchless encounters with the enemy in the Valley of the Shenan- doah, while their sabres flashed in every battle.
They took part in the gallant defense of Nashville by General Thomas, and were with Generals Stoneman and Wilson on their raids in North Carolina and Georgia.
They were also at the capture of Mobile and served in Texas and Utah Territory during a part of 1865-6.
Michigan was well represented at the surren- der of Lee and Johnston, the termination and death of the rebellion - and a Michigan regi- ment captured the president of the so-called confederacy.
Jefferson Davis, in his inglorious flight to escape, deserved punishment for his infamous treason and rebellion.
Michigan troops in all the campaigns and battles in which they participated were most reliable, conspicuously brave and gallant. In every position in which they were placed they
were true, self-sacrificing, patient under hard- ship, murmuring not, meeting death by expo- sure, starvation and cruel treatment in rebel prisons, and many more by rebel bullets in sanguinary strife.
Aside from their acknowledged bravery and efficiency in battle, they were, in a most re- markable manner, entrusted with posts of honor and great responsibilities, which could have scarcely been accredited but with a purpose.
From the beginning of the war until its end, Michigan soldiers evinced a most persistent determination to fight on, until all rebels in arms against the Government should be con- quered and subdued, and, if needs be, utterly destroyed, so that their country might live. That determination they most successfully carried out; they met the enemy in his "last ditch " and he was theirs ; they compelled him to lay down his rebellious arms, to beg for quarter, peace, and even for bread, and sub- mit unconditionally to the terms of their dicta- tion. Having done that, the troops of Micbi- gan returned to their homes, as the conquerors of the enemies of their country, the preservers of their nation, receiving the plaudits and gratitude of their fellow-countrymen, and of every friend of freedom and humanity through- out the world.
The armies of no other nation, even after many years of training which war brings with it, have evinced so marvelous a development of soldierly qualities as characterized the Ameri- can troops during the comparatively short term of service. The annals of the times will rear an imperishable monument to the patri- otism of all the States, which, in a nation's peril, gave their sons in the conflict, and the honor of one will be among the precious pos- sessions of the other ; but it will be for Michi- gan to cherish with peculiar pride and tender- ness the remembrance and the fame of the gal- lant band of patriots, who, in the fiercest strug- gle of modern warfare, and among comrades of equal worth and bravery, while preserving the national life and integrity, have reflected nndying luster upon her own escutcheon.
The greater prominence of particular indi- viduals is by no means conclusive proof of superior service or merits. The obscure pri- vate, with nothing but the "enlisting papers " to bear witness even of his presence in the
CELEBRATION OF THE REPORTED CAPTURE OF RICHMOND.
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THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
army. often is entitled to higher honors than he whose promotion was sounded through the ranks and proclaimed by the public press, but proof of this fact is denied the world, and may never have been known beyond the modest, unpre- tending consciousness of the obscure hero. It was the private soldiers as well as their com- manders who suppressed the rebellion, and this fact cannot be too fully recognized. It is to the brave men who made the charges as well as to those who directed them, that the country is indebted chiefly for the many signal advant- ages and the final triumph over treason's cohorts.
From the desire to be associated in the same companies and regiments with friends in other counties of the State and adjoining States, and the generous bounties offered for enlistments therein, many of the soldiers enlisted in Mich- igan regiments are not credited to the county of Monroe.
While each of the Michigan Regiments is entitled to great credit for the part taken in the numerous conflicts in which they were en- gaged, comparisons and contrasts by the author would be invidious, but it will be seen by the following statements that enlistments of sol- diers of Monroe county constituted a por- tion of every one of the Michigan Regi- ments, and to describe the parts taken by each would far exceed the limits of this work.
It would afford the author great pleasure, if practicable in a limited work of this kind, to re- cord the interesting letters that were received from the officers and soldiers in the field during the progress of the Rebellion, describing the san- guinary conflicts in which they were engaged, the numerous presentations to officers and sol- diers and sailors indicating the esteem in which they are held for their glorious achieve- ments. For a statement in detail
of the part taken by the various regiments in which the Monroe county officers and soldiers enlisted therein, the reader is referred to "Michigan in the War," prepared and compiled by the late lamented Adjutant General John Robertson, of Michigan.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
When the telegraph wires announced the news at Monroe of the attack on Fort Sum- ter, immediate steps were taken by our citizens,
without distinction of party, to give expres- sion of public sentiment on the great question of the day. This movement contributed largely in concentrating popular feeling and encourag- ing our State and National authorities in the measures demanded by the exigencies of the times.
An impromptu meeting of citizens was held at the Humphrey House, Tuesday afternoon of the I5th of April. 1861, for the purpose of making some arrangement to hold a more gen- eral meeting to express the sentiments of the community upon the crisis which was upon us. Mayor Roderick O'Conner acted as chairman. Committees were appointed to make necessary arrangements, and it was decided to call a meeting at the court house on Wednesday even- ing. Accordingly at an early hour the court house was packed full to its utmost capacity with people anxious to hear something said in honor of and in favor of sustaining the stars and stripes of our country. The meeting was called to order, and three cheers were proposed for Major Anderson, which were given with a will.
Ira R. Grosvenor. from the committee on organization, then read a report recommending the following officers:
President-Judge Warner Wing.
Vice Presidents-Hon. R. O'Conner, Colonel J. R. Smith, U. S. A., Christopher Bruckner, Como- dore A. D. Perkins, Hon. F. Waldorf, Hon. L. Du- rocher, Rev. E. J. Boyd, General Levi S. Humphrey, Dr. E. Adams, Major G. Buckley, Captain G. W. Strong, H. B. Marvin, Major F. M. Winans.
Secretaries-Stephen G. Clark, T. S. Clark and J. R. Rauch.
The officers took their seats, when the report of the committee on resolutions was called for. Hon. E. G. Morton read the following as the report of the committee :
WHEREAS, Civil war and all its deplorable consequences have suddenly burst upon the nation, and the constitutional government of the country is attacked, its authority set at de- fiance, and its flag insulted in a portion of the Union, for the avowed purpose of overthrow- ing the same; and,
WHEREAS, Those who have thus wantonly provoked hostilities have trampled upon the constitution, which guaranteed to all the high principles of a free government, and under which all real grievances may be redressed
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and the liberties of the people perpetuated ; therefore,
Resolved, That we, citizens of Monroe county, of all political parties, cordially unite to uphold the Government of the country and pledge ourselves to stand by the constitution and the legal authorities under it, and to aid them in protecting and defending the same, in the spirit and with the determination manifested by our fathers of the Revolution.
Resolved, That we deeply deplore the steps hastily taken by a portion of the Southern people to destroy the best government on earth, and the confidence of the world in the ability of man for self control, and we cannot believe that this suicidal work meets the ap- probation of thousands of our conservative and law-abiding brethren of the South, and borne down by a mob whose usurpations and lawless aims threaten the country with anarchy and despotism ; and that we feel it to be our im- perative duty as the friends of liberty, law and stable government to resist with all our power their treasonable purpose, in order to maintain and perpetuate the liberties we enjoy as a people.
The chairman of the meeting, Judge Wing, said he had never stood in the court house under circumstances so solemn as these. The question which presents itself is no less than whether we are a free nation, whether we have a government, whether we are the American people. Few occasions have occurred when the flag of our country has been trailed ; but now it has been struck by a band of traitors among our own brethren. There have been parties, but now there should be no party. This country needed aid. This was the only consideration presented. Our flag has been respected in all nations, because we have estab- lished a free government and have invited the oppressed of all lands to come to our shores. But treason has reared its head, the President calls for help to sustain that flag, and shall it be sustained ? (Applause.) For his part the reso- lutions met his hearty approval.
Ira R. Grosvenor was called. He said we are engaged in no common affair this evening. Civil war has commenced among us. Those who have forced these troubles upon us have construed our troubles into cowardice, but now that the North is aroused they will learn that a terrible retribution is at hand. There can
be but one feeling among us. We know no party -no platform - no anything but our country. (Applause.) And it were glorious to die in defense of that country. This was no time for set speeches. What we say must come gushing up from a warm heart. Michigan has been called upon for but one regiment, but if it were necessary Monroe alone could furnish that.
Judge Johnson was called upon. He re- viewed, to a certain extent, the action which the South has taken in the Fort Sumter affair from the first. He said we have waited long expecting that reason would again take posses- sion of our brethren at the South. The door had been left wide open for them to return, but they said to the Government you must fight or ignobly surrender that fort. The unholy war had been forced upon us, and there was no other way but to pursue it to the bitter end. (Applause.)
E. G. Morton, Esq., was next called upon. He said he had not expected to be called on to make a speech, but was never ashamed to speak for his country. (Applause.) Hitherto a sense of security had pervaded the country. To-day all the prosperity we have experienced is imperiled. This was no time for inflamma- tory remarks. The time had come to look danger boldly in the face, and be ready to live for and serve our country, if God spares our lives, and if not to die by that glorious flag bequeathed ns by our fathers. (Loud applause.)
William H. Boyd was called upon. He said he would not apologize, as he felt it his duty when his country calls, to respond. He was no party man, but he had, he trusted, the feel- ings of a patriot. Look at our constitution. Will you allow it to be rent in pieces ? He believed there was a spirit waking in the North that would protect and preserve that constitu- tion. When a time comes like this, it becomes every man to lift up his voice, and if necessary, to lay down his life for his country. We are one and united for our country. Our country now and our country forever. (Applause.)
Mr. Willets said his feelings had always been opposed to war. His ancestry were Quakers. But when he heard the news from Sumter, his peace principles abdicated. He was now in favor of fighting. He believed in putting down this rebellion at whatever cost, and at what- ever sacrifice.
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THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Mayor O'Connor said the speakers who had preceded him had called the Southern rebels our brethren. He disclaimed their right to be called so. By their own traitorous acts they have severed the connection. No traitor to this country should be called the brother of a true man.
Stephen G. Clarke said we meet to-night on a common platform, and let us respond to the traitors in a manner that will send terror to every heart and convince them that we will spill every drop of blood in defense of that tlag. (Applause.) He would not discuss the causes of this rebellion. He was for action. The enemy are approaching the capitol. They shall not possess it.
F. M. Winans said he came here with but one feeling. He had been led to the battle field under that flag, and he was ready to go again. He wished to know if others were ready to go also. [Yes, yes, was responded by more than a hundred voices. ]
Colonel Smith, of the United States Army, said :
"Forever float that standard sheet !
Where breathes the foe but falls before us, With Freedom's soil beneath our feet,
And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us !"
He had been in the habit of addressing as- semblies, but they were military assemblies. And a military response is what we must make. The State of Michigan had been called on for one regiment, but if it were ten the response would be promptly made, and all would be found ready to respond with our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honors.
B. Dansard said it was the first time he had ever been in such a position, but if he could say anything, the cause is glorious enough, God knows. He had lived under that flag- wished to die under it-and was ready to do anything that could be done to sustain it, with money or with life. (Loud applause.)
Other remarks were made by Prof. Kel- logg, Dr. Landon, Frank Releigh, T. S. Clark, L. Darrah, J. R. Rauch, N. N. Kendal, and others, many of whom expressed a willingness to take to the tented field. The remarks were received with cheers and applause through- out.
Mr. N. N. Kendal moved that a committee of five be appointed to take steps for the organi- zation of a military company here.
The chairman said the resolutions would be first in order. The motion for their adoption was put and a unanimous aye was heard from every throat in the house.
Mr. Kendal's motion was then put and car- ried, and the chair appointed as the committee, Messrs. N N. Kendal, T. S. Clark, Capt. Winans, Colonel Smith and Constant Luce.
The meeting then adjourned with three hearty cheers for the stars and stripes.
The military committee as above appointed had a meeting the next morning and organized by calling Colonel Smith to the chair, and T. S. Clark as secretary.
It was decided to organize a military com- pany agrecably to the requisition of the Gov- ernor, and on motion the instrument pre- viously drawn up and numerously signed, was adopted as the basis of organization.
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