History of Oakland County, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories, Part 109

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts & co.
Number of Pages: 553

USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 109

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The Second was also specially distinguished on several occasions during the siege of Knoxville by Longstreet in 1863, and particularly so on the 24th of November, when, under command of Major Cornelius Byington (of Battle Creek, Colonel Humphrey being in command of the brigade), it gallantly charged a force of rebels protected by intrenchments and a house which they occupied, driving them from the position

and leveling the house and works to the ground. In the charge the regiment lost in killed and wounded, out of 161 officers and men engaged, 86. Among the killed were Lieutenants William Noble (adjutant) and Charles R. Galpin, and Major Byington and Lieutenant Frank Zoellner mortally wounded. This charge is handed down in the history of the day as among the most brilliant of the war. The regi- ment returned to the Army of the Potomac, and participated in the famous campaign of General Grant in 1864.

The complete list of the engagements of the Second Infantry is as follows : Black- burn's Ford, Virginia, July 18, 1861 ; Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861; Siege of Yorktown, Virginia, April 4 to May 4, 1862; Williamsburg, Virginia, May 5, 1862; Fair Oaks, Virginia, May 31 and June 1, 1862; near Richmond, Virginia, June 18, 1862; Glendale, Virginia, June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, Virginia, July 1, 1862; Bull Run (2d), Virginia, August 28, 29, 30, 1862; Chantilly, Virginia, September 1, 1862; Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 12-14, 1862; Siege of Vicksburg, Mis- sissippi, June 22 to July 4, 1863; Jackson, Mississippi, July 11 to 18, 1863; Blue Spring, Tennessee, October 10, 1863; Loudon, Tennessee, November 14, 1863; Lenoir Station, Tennessee, November 15, 1863; Campbell's Station, Tennessee, No- vember 16, 1863 ; Siege of Knoxville, Tennessee, November 17 to December 5, 1863; Knoxville, Tennessee, November 24, 1863; Fort Saunders, Tennessee, November 29, 1863; Thurley's Ford, Tennessee, December 15, 1863 ; Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, January 22, 1864; near Knoxville, Tennessee, January 24, 1864; Wilderness, Vir- ginia, May 5, 6, 7, 1864; Ny River, Virginia, May 9, 1864; Spottsylvania, Virginia, May 10, 11, 12, 1864; Oxford, Virginia, May 23, 1864; North Anna, Virginia, May 24, 25, 1864; Tolopotomy, Virginia, May 30, 1864; Bethesda Church, Virginia, June 2 and 3, 1864; Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 7, 1864; Petersburg, Virginia, June 17 and 18, 1864; The Crater, Virginia, July 30, 1864; Weldon R. R., Virginia, August 19 and 20, 1864; Reams' Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; Poplar Spring Church, Virginia, September 30, 1864; Pegram Farm, Virginia, October 2, 1864; Boydton Road, Virginia, October 8, 1864; Hatcher's Run, Virginia, October 27 and 28, 1864; Fort Steadman, Virginia, March 25, 1865; capture of Petersburg, Vir- ginia, April 3, 1865; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia, June 17, 1864, to April 3, 1865.

MAJOR-GENERAL ISRAEL B. RICHARDSON

was wounded in the battle of Antietam, and died November 3, 1862. General Richardson was appointed a cadet to West Point from his native State of Vermont in the year 1836, and graduated from that institution in July, 1841, when he was breveted second lieutenant, and was assigned to the Third U. S. Infantry. He was promoted to a first lieutenancy in September, 1846, and commanded his company and distinguished himself in the bloody battle of Cerro Gordo, in Mexico He was breveted captain for gallantry in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco on the 20th of August, 1847; and again breveted as major for meritorious conduct at Chapultepec on September 13 following. In this battle he led his company in the storming-party which won the admiration of the world for daring bravery.

Soon after the close of the Mexican war, when there was no prospect of active service, he retired from the army, and removed to Oakland County, Michigan, to reside, where the breaking out of the Great Rebellion found him. On the first call for volunteers by the president, he offered his services, and was appointed by Gov- ernor Blair colonel of the Second Michigan Infantry, and when his regiment arrived in Washington, he was at once assigned by General Scott to the command of a brigade. He was in the first battle of Bull Run, and was soon after promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. His conduct at Blackburn's Ford elicited the admiration of the army, so judicious were all of his movements. He was in most of the battles of the peninsula under General Mcclellan, and behaved so gallantly he was promoted to the rank of major-general. At Antietam his zeal led him to do a colonel's work, and in leading a regiment he received his mortal wound.

General Richardson was recognized throughout the Army of the Potomac as one of its very best fighting generals. Wherever the battle raged the fiercest there he seemed to be most at home. He was ever held to be one of the bravest of the brave. His remains were brought to his home in Pontiac for interment, and the sad funeral obsequies performed on the 11th of November, at the court-house, where the dead chieftain lay shrouded in the colors he swore fealty to in his boyhood, and which he had bravely defended on the plains of Mexico, and against traitors in arms in his native country. A neat marquee was formed with his tent and decorated by three American flags, draped in weeds of mourning, beneath which the casket reposed. Detachments from the military organizations then in the State were in attendance, among them the Detroit Light Guards, and Captain Daniels' battery of light artillery, whose brazen throats gave out heavy sobs at regular intervals throughout the day. The funeral oration was delivered by Rev Mr. Eldridge, of the Fort Street Presby- terian church, Detroit. The procession to Oak Hill cemetery was formed and com- manded by General Henry D. Terry, a companion in arms of the dead general ; and the remains of " Fighting Dick" were laid to rest with the solemn ritual of the Episcopal church, and the soldiers' volley ; the last tribute a brave soldier receives from those who have stood shoulder to shoulder with him in the storm of battle and the tempest of the charge.

"By fairy hands his knell is rung, By forms unseen his dirge is sung; There honor comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps his clay ; And Freedom may awhile repair To dwell, a weeping hermit, there."

THE THIRD INFANTRY

was raised at Grand Rapids, and though at its first organization but few Oakland men were in its ranks, its gaps, made by the shot and shell of traitors, were largely filled with recruits from this county. It took the field soon after the Second, and fought

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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

beside that regiment in Richardson's brigade, at Blackburn's Ford. It afterwards belonged to Berry's celebrated brigade of Kearney's division, and passed through the battles of the disastrous peninsula campaign. It was particularly distinguished at Fair Oaks, where its losses were forty killed, one hundred and twenty-four wounded, and fifteen missing, among the wounded being Colonel Champlin, and among the killed Cap- tain Samuel A. Judd. At Gettysburg its losses around " Round Top" were forty-one killed, wounded, and missing. It also participated in General Grant's campaign against Richmond, in 1864. On June 20, 1864, the regiment was mustered out of the service; but reorganized, and left for the field in Tennessee, October 20 following, where it at once encountered the enemy, and maintained the reputation of the old Third whenever engaged. The battles and skirmishes in which the Third was engaged are as follows : Blackburn's Ford, Virginia, July 18, 1861 ; Bull Run, Virginia, April 4, 1861 ; Siege of Yorktown, Virginia, April 4 to May, 1862; Williamsburg, Vir- ginia, May 5, 1862; Fair Oaks, Virginia, May 31, 1862; Savage Station, Virginia, June 29, 1862; Peach Orchard, Virginia, June 29, 1862; Glendale, Virginia, June 30, 1862; White Oak Swamp, Virginia, June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, Virginia, July 1, 1862; Second Bull Run, Virginia, August 29, 1862; Chantilly, Virginia, September 1, 1862; Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 1, 2, and 3, 1863; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2 and 3, 1863; Wapping Heights, Virginia, July 23, 1863; Auburn Heights, Virginia, October 1, 1863; Kelly's Ford, Virginia, November 7, 1863; Locust Grove, Virginia, Novem- ber 27, 1863 ; Mine Run, Virginia, November 29, 1863; Wilderness, Virginia, May 5 and 7, 1864; Todd's Tavern, Virginia, May 8, 1864; Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; North Anna, Virginia, May 23 and 24, 1864; Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 7, 1864 ; Petersburg, Virginia, June 16 and 22, 1864; Deep Bottom, Virginia, July 27 and 28, 1864; Strawberry Plains, Vir- ginia, August 14 and 17, 1864; Poplar Spring Church, Virginia, September 30, 1864 ; Boydton Road, Virginia, October 27, 1864; Hatcher's Run, Virginia, April 2, 1865; Sailor's Creek, Virginia, April 6, 1865; New Store, Virginia, April 8, 1865; Appa- mattox Court-House, Virginia, April 9, 1865; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia, from June 17, 1864, to April 3, 1865.

The reorganized Third was stationed in Texas during the winter of 1865-66, and was mustered out May 26, 1866.

THE FIFTH INFANTRY,

usually denominated the " Fighting Fifth," left Detroit for Virginia, September 11, 1861, commanded by Colonel Henry D. Terry, and first commenced to battle for the Union and freedom at Williamsburg, on May 5 following, while serving in Berry's brigade, of Kearney's division. In this engagement the regiment behaved with great gallantry, but sustained a loss, in a force of five hundred, of thirty-four killed and one hundred and nineteen wounded, including among the killed Lieutenant James Gunning, and among the wounded Lieutenant-Colonel J. E. Beach (of Pontiac). On May 31 it went into action at Fair Oaks with about three hundred men, losing thirty killed, one hundred and sixteen wounded, and five missing, Captain L. B. Quackenbush and Lieutenant Charles H. Hutchins being among the killed, and Lieutenant Charles S. Traverse mortally wounded, who died July 22 following. It was again engaged on the Chickahominy, June 25, at Peach Orchard on the 29th, and at Charles City Cross-Roads on the 30th, where it lost fifty-one in killed, wounded, and missing. Among the killed was Lieutenant W. T. Johnson ; and Major John D. Fairbanks, commanding the regiment, was wounded, and died in Washington, July 5 following.

The Fifth was engaged heavily at Fredericksburg, with a strength of only three hundred and thirty rank and file, where it lost ten killed and seventy-three wounded ; among the former being its commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel John Gilluby, a most gallant and worthy officer.

The regiment participated in the desperate and dashing midnight charge, which stands without a parallel in the war, made on the rear of Stonewall Jackson's forces in his movement threatening the destruction of the right flank of the Union army, near Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg, on July 2, 1863, the regiment, then com- manded by Colonel Pulford, after marching ten miles in three hours, during the day, at four P.M. became heavily engaged with the enemy in defending Sickles' advanced position, the men using the cartridges of their fallen comrades. Its casualties were great, losing in one hour one hundred and five men and officers, among the killed being Captain Generous and Lieutenant Phelan, two valuable officers. In the list of wounded were Colonel Pulford, Major Mathews, and Lieutenants Colville, Pierce, Rouse, Braden, Hurlbut, and Stevens. On July 3 the regiment assisted to repel the final charge on Cemetery Hill. During both days its losses were nineteen killed, eighty-six wounded, and four missing. Under Colonel Pulford the regiment on the 3d of May, 1864, entered upon the great campaign of Grant against Richmond. It crossed the Rapidan at an early hour on the 4th, and at four P.M. reached the old battle-field at Chancellorsville, having accomplished a distance of thirty-four miles in seventeen hours, the men each carrying the weight of five days' rations and sixty rounds of cartridges. On the 5th the enemy were met on the road leading to Orange Court-House, where a desperate struggle ensued; Captain George W. Rose being mortally wounded, and Colonel Pulford and Major Mathews being wounded quite severely. On the 6th the regiment, under command of Captains Walkinshaw and Shook, made a successful charge on the enemy's works, Captain Hurlbut being shot through the head, and instantly killed. After several forced marches, the regiment arrived in front of the enemy's position on the North Anna River, May 23, and assisted in taking their works on the north bank of that stream, capturing a number of prisoners, and driving the rebels into and across the stream.

In the afternoon of the 24th, it crossed the river in the face of a very heavy fire of shot and shell, and again compelled the enemy to retire. Lieutenant Samuel Pierce was killed here. On the 10th June the Third Michigan was permanently consoli-

dated with the Fifth. The regiment passed through the entire campaign, losing during the year seventy-three killed, three hundred and sixty-five wounded, and one hundred and one missing, a total of five hundred and forty-nine. On the 25th March, 1865, the regiment participated in the attack on the enemy's works at Hatcher's Run, where it assisted in driving him from his first line of works, after an engagement of four hours. From this time until the 2d of April the regiment was engaged in the general movements around Petersburg, and on the 3d participated in the general assault on the enemy's fortifications, which resulted in the capture of the entire line of works, and Petersburg itself. It is reported that the Fifth was the first regiment to plant its colors on the. works. The regiment gained its soubriquet . of the "Fighting Fifth" from its constant " pitching in" whenever opportunity offered, and had space allowed, we would have been pleased to have traced its entire career in the war of the rebellion, as its fighting record from Williamsburg to Appomattox Court-House is most glorious and brilliant. Brigadier-General Berry complimented the Second, Third, and Fifth, all of which regiments were in his brigade, most highly, saying of them, "A nobler set of men never lived. Any man can win fights with such material." General Kearney also paid the Second and Fifth a fine compliment for gallantry before Williamsburg, May 5, 1862.

The following is the complete list of the battles and skirmishes in which the Fifth were engaged during their service, which ended July 5, 1865, the regiment being disbanded on the 17th at Detroit : Pohlick Church, Virginia, January 9, 1862; Siege of Yorktown, Virginia, April 4 to May 4, 1862; Williamsburg, Virginia, May 5, 1862 ; Fair Oaks, Virginia, May 31, 1862; Peach Orchard, Virginia, June 29, 1862; Glendale, Virginia, June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, Virginia, July 1,, 1862; Bull Run (second), Virginia, August 28, 1862; Grovetown, Virginia, August 29, 1862; Chan- tilly, Virginia, September 1, 1862; Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862; The Cedars, Virginia, May 2, 1863; Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3, 1868; Gettys- burg, Pennsylvania, July 2, 3, 1863; Wapping Heights, Virginia, July 23, 1863; Auburn Heights, Virginia, October 1, 1863; Kelly's Ford, Virginia, November 26, 1863; Locust Grove, Virginia, November 27, 1863; Mine Run, Virginia, Novem- ber 29, 1863; Wilderness, Virginia, May 5 and 7, 1864; Todd's Tavern, Virginia, May 8, 1864; Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, Virginia, May 12,, 1864; North Anna, Virginia, May 12. 1864; Tolopotomy, Virginia, May 30, 1864; Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 2, 1864; Petersburg, Virginia, June 16 and 17, 1864 ;. Deep Bottom, Virginia, July 27 and 28, 1864; Strawberry Plains, Virginia, August 14, 1864; Poplar Spring Church, Virginia, September 30, 1864; Boydton Road, Virginia, October 27, 1864; Hatcher's Run, Virginia, March 25, 1865; Boydton Road, April 2, 1865; Capture of Petersburg, Virginia, April 3, 1865; Sailor's Creek, Virginia, April 5, 1865; New Store, Virginia, April 8, 1865; Appomattox Court-House, Virginia, April 9, 1865; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia, from June 17, 1864, to April 3, 1865.

A NICE SURGICAL OPERATION

was performed for Sergeant Capron, of the Fifth Infantry, by Dr. Gunn, of Detroit, whereby the life of a brave soldier was saved to himself and his country. The ser- geant was wounded at the battle of Williamsburg, and lay in the hospital for several months, his wound being examined by the surgeons, who pronounced it im- possible to extract the ball. Several of the most skillful of the surgeons of the army declared any attempt to cut the bullet out would result fatally, and he was finally discharged from the service as incurable, and returned to Detroit with the sad con- sciousness of a fate sure and certain but a brief period hence. Dr. Gunn saw him, and on examination of his wound declared his ability to remove the ball without danger to the patient, and offered to do it gratuitously. Capron thereupon sub- mitted to the operation, which was performed successfully, he being put under the influence of chloroform during the period of the same. The ball was battered be- yond all semblance of a bullet, having apparently struck a tree first, and glancing off, entered base first, striking the coracoid process of the left shoulder, and passing on lodged high in the axilla. At the time of the operation it was found impossible to enlarge the original opening on account of the vessels and nerves, and the surgeon therefore approached it by an axillary incision. Capron soon recovered perfectly.

Captain S. S. Mathews, of Company D, Fifth Michigan Infantry, was wounded at the battle of Malvern Hill, having his legs broken in three different places. He, with three hundred other wounded officers and soldiers, lay on the field without shelter for fourteen days, and without attendance save such as they were able to give one another. Captain Mathews was entirely helpless. They were taken to Rich- mond, and after six days' incarceration in Libby prison were exchanged.

THE SEVENTH INFANTRY,

the gallant forlorn-hope regiment at the battle of Fredericksburg, was recruited and organized under the direction of Colonel Ira R. Grosvenor at Monroe, and leaving that point for the field on the 5th of September, 1861, first encountered the enemy in the affair at Ball's Bluff, Virginia, October 21 following, where in command of that officer it gained credit even in that disastrous engagement. It served in the penin- sular campaign, and had the honor to serve in the rear-guard of the army on the retreat to Harrison's Landing. It was also engaged in the Maryland actions. At Antietam it lost more than one-half of its force engaged, including Captains Allen H. Zacharias and J. H. Turrill, and Lieutenants J. P. Eberhard and John A. Clark, killed. " But one of the great feats of the war, than which none will appear brighter in history, was reserved for the Seventh at Fredericksburg, on December 11, 1862, when Burnside concluded to cross the Rappahannock, and attack the rebels in that stronghold. The upper pontoon had been laid part of the way by the engineers during the night of the 10th. Daylight exposed them to the fire of the enemy's sharp- shooters, which drove them off. Volunteers were called for to cross the river and gain a position to protect the laying of the bridge. Immediately the Seventh Mich- igan, under the gallant Baxter, rushed to the boats, crossed the stream in full view of

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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

both armies, under a most terrific fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, losing heavily, but vigorously charging the rebels on the opposite bank, drove them from their rifle pits, taking a number of prisoners and holding the ground. Colonel Baxter having fallen severely wounded, recrossed the river, while the regiment, with the Nine- teenth and Twentieth Massachusetts, which had crossed by the second trip of the boats, dashed up the hill into the city, driving the enemy from house to house, and from stronghold to stronghold, capturing nearly as many prisoners as the regiment numbered, inflicting a severe loss on the enemy in killed and wounded, while their own loss was also heavy, including among the killed Lieutenant Franklin Emery, of the Seventh. The river thus protected, the laying of the pontoons was speedily accomplished, and a portion of the army crossed." The regiment endured hard service in the Pennsylvania campaign in forced and laborious marches, rendered more arduous by the intense heat of the weather. It was engaged at Gettsyburg, July 2 and 3, having fourteen officers and one hundred and fifty-one men engaged, and losing twenty-one killed and forty-four wounded ; among the former being Lieu- tenant-Colonel Amos E. Steele, commanding the regiment, and Lieutenant Albert Slafter, both gallant officers. It entered on the campaign of 1864 under the com- mand of Major S. W. Curtis, and was engaged at the Wilderness, May 5, with small loss. It participated in nearly every battle of this campaign, distinguishing itself in every engagement, but more especially at Hatcher's Run, October 26, 1864, when, with a force of but eighty-five strong, it took prisoners twenty officers and four hundred and eighty men, while Sergeant Alonzo Smith (afterwards first lieutenant) captured the colors of the Twenty-sixth North Carolina Infantry, for which he was presented with a medal of honor by the Secretary of War. Through some misunderstanding the Seventh was left on the line after the Union troops were withdrawn, and remained in that condition until the morning of the 28th, when Colonel Lapointe, then in command, finding that his regiment had been left alone on the field, formed his men, and explained to them their perilous situation, telling them to stand by him and they could find their way out. They at once commenced their dangerous under- taking, marching twelve miles through the country held by the enemy, gallantly fighting their way at almost every step, pursued and harassed constantly by cavalry threatening to cut them off; but they arrived safe within the Union lines at sundown of the same day. General Hancock, their corps commander, complimented the regiment highly on the occasion, and characterized the undertaking as one of the most praiseworthy and daring of the war.

On April 2, 1865, the regiment, with details from the First Minnesota and Nine- teenth Massachusetts, charged the enemy's works at Cat Tail creek, capturing two forts and three guns ; then sweeping down the lines captured five other forts, well defended by infantry, and taking during the day about five hundred prisoners The regiment is reported to have been the first to break the rebel lines in front of the Second corps. It continued to engage the enemy until Lee surrendered, April 9, 1865 On the 6th it was cut off from its brigade and outflanked, but facing its skirmishers to the rear checked the advance of the flanking troops, and held its position until the afternoon, when it was relieved from the front. In its defense the regiment lost three officers and thirty-four men taken prisoners.

The Seventh was mustered out of service July 5, 1865, and during its service was engaged in the following battles and skirmishes : Ball's Bluff, Virginia, October 21, 1861; Yorktown, Virginia, May 4, 1862; West Point, Virginia, May 7, 1862; Fair Oaks, Virginia, May 31 to June 1, 1862; Peach Orchard, Virginia, June 29, 1862; Savage Station, Virginia, June 29, 1862; White Oak Swamp, Virginia, June 30, 1862; Glendale, Virginia, June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, Virginia, July 1, 1862; Bull Run (second), Virginia, August 30, 1862; South Mountain, Maryland, Septem- ber 14, 1862; Antietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 11, 12, and 13, 1862 ; Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 3 and 4, 1863; Hay- market, Virginia, June, 1863 ; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 2 and 3, 1863; Fall- ing Waters, Maryland, July 14, 1863; Bristoe Station, Virginia, November 27, 1863; Robinson's Tavern, Virginia, November 29, 1863; Mine Run, Virginia, November 29, 1863; Wilderness, Virginia, May 5 and 6, 1864; Po River, Virginia, May 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864; North Anna, Virginia, May 23, 1864; Ny River, Virginia, May 24, 1864; Tolopotomy, Virginia, May 30 and 31, and June 1, 1864 ; Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864; Petersburg, Virginia, June 18 and 22, 1864; Deep Bottom, Virginia, July 27, 1864; Strawberry Plains, Virginia, August 14 and 17, 1864; Reams' Station, Virginia, August 25, 1864; Boydton Road, Vir- ginia, October 27, 1864 ; Hatcher's Run, Virginia, February 5, 1865; Hatcher's Run, Virginia, March 29, 1865; Cat Tail Creek, Virginia, April 2, 1865; Farmville, Vir- ginia, April 7, 1865 ; Siege of Petersburg, Virginia, from June 17, 1864, to April 3, 1865.

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History of Oakland County, Michigan, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories, Part 109

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts & co. Number of Pages: 553

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts & co.
Number of Pages: 553