History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan, Part 13

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, D.W. Ensign & co.
Number of Pages: 716

USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 13
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 13

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).

John D. Keyes, veteran, enl. Dec. 16, 1863; must. ont July 5, 1865.

Julin V. Lindsay, veteran, enl. Dec. 15, 1863 ; must. ont July 5, 1865.

Isaac Lovejoy, wounded at battle of Wilderness, May, 186.1.

Thomas Lawrence, disch, for disability, Nov. 20, 1862.

Elgar M. Leonard, disch, for disability (loss of arm at Gettysburg), Oct. I4, 1863.

Daniel Martindale, disch, for disability, July 22, 1862.

Orlando Matsun, killed at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862.

William F. MeDivit, disch. for disainlity, May 1, 1862.

Lyman Mccarthy, disch. for disability, Dec. 5, 1862.

Peter Mc Lean, disch. for disability, Sopt. 25, 1862.

Alexander Mellivit, died of disease at Yorktown, Va., May 6, 1862.

Edward McNenl, died of disease at Alexandria, Va., July 25, 1862.

Thomas Murlin, died of disease at Alexandria, Va., Oct. 28, 1862.

Amos Moore, veteran, onl. Dec. 15, 1863; died of disease near l'etersburg, Va., Oct. 22, 1864.

Jacob Manshaw, veteran, enl. Dec. 15, 1863; disch. by order, Oct. 21, 1864.

Merriman Morehouse, voteran, ent. Dec. 15, 1863; died of disease nt Salisbury, N. C., April 27, 1863.

Milton Mattoon, veteran, enl. Dec. 15, 1863 ; must. out July 5, 1865.

William Murlin, must. out May 31, 1865.

William Munshawce, must. ont May 25, 1865.

Herman T. Newman, veteran, enl. Dec. 15, 1863; must. out July 5, 1865.

Theodore Odoll, veteran, eul. Dee. 15, 1863 ; disch. for disability, May 23, 1865.

Andrew J. Patterson, disch, for disability, Dec. 10, 1861.

John M. Ross, wounded at battle of Wilderness, May, 1861.

James N. Peck, died of disease, Feb, 8, 1862.

Witham II. H. Shulters, died of disease at Alexandria, Va., Nov. 6, 1862.

Charles C. Scott, died of disease, April 12, 1862.

Abram K. Swret, must. out May 31, 1865.

George A. Shelley, wounded at battle of the Wilderness, May, 1864.

Samuel A. Sutherland, disch. for disability, May 25, 1865.

Oren S. Skinner, disch. for disability.

James Shulters, disch. for disability, Nov. 11, 1862.

William Taylor, disch. for disability, Oct. 8, 1862.

Howard Worthington, died of disease at Camp Michigan, Feb. 24, 1862.

John Weis, died of disease, Jan. 18, 1863.

Marcus Wakeman, died of wounds, April 25, 1865.

Patrick Waters, pro. to sergt. ; wounded at Wilderness, May, 1864; veteran, enl. Dec. 15, 1863 ; must. out July 5, 1863.

CLINTON COUNTY MEMBERS OF THE FIFTHI INFANTRY.

Company C.

Frederick L. Buell, must. ont July 5, 1865.

Chandler Ferguson, disch. for disability, JJune 20, 1862.

David Goodrich, died of disease at Washington, Sept. 25, 1861.

Win. II Goodrich, must. out July 5, 1865.

Valorous Green, disch. for disability, Jan. 19, 1863.

Orton B. Green, trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, Jan. IG, 1864.

Merritt Howe, died in battle at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.

Clinton McMurtry, St. John's.

Jos. Morton, St. John's; disch. for disability, Aug. 10, 1862.

Alvin McGowan, disch. for disability, Aug. 27, 1862.

Edwin Perry, disch, at end of service, Aug. 28, 1865.

Uriah G. Tucker, died in action at Williamsburg, May 5, 1862.

John S. Weatherwax, died in action at Wilderness, May 5, 1864.

Geo. E. Webb, Ohve ; disch. for disability, March 18, 1803.

Nathaniel D. Wickham, disch. at end of service, Ang. 28, 1864.

Company D.

Elisha A. Elwood, must. out May 13, 1865.

Edwin Forman, disch. for disability, June 20, 1862.

James A. Forman, disch. for disability, March 19, 1863.

David Frost, died of disease at Camp Michigan, Dec. 27, 1861.

John D. Ingalls, veteran, enl. Dec. 15, 1863; must. out July 5, 1863.

Ira P. Jones, disch, by order, Oct. G, 1862. Samuel Lee, disch. for disability, Feb. 7, 1863.

Charles B. Land, must. out July 5, 18G5. Alson II. Reed, disch, for disability, Aug. 9, 1862.

William Reed, disch, at end of service, Aug. 27, 1865.

Poleg Sweet, disch, for disability, Jan. 8, 1863. Robert K. Smith, must, out May 13, 1865.

Nathaniel S. Wells, veteran, enl. Dec. 15, 1863 ; must. out July 5, 1865.

Henry C. Williams, disch, by order.

Daniel G. Wade, disch. at end of service, Sept. 5, 1864.

Company F. Ist Lieut. Joshua R. Benson, Riley ; com. Nov. 9, 1864, 2dl liout .; Sopt. 18, 1864, sergt .; must. out July 5, 1865.

Company H.

Russell N. Bagley, disch. for disability. Jan. 13, 1863.

Almeron Daniels, disch. for disability, May 31, 1865.

Daniel L. Harrington, died of disease, Feb. 28, 1862. Nathan S. Ross, died in action at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.

Company I.

Alexander Parks, disch. for disability, Sept. 3, 186-1.

Thomas M. Clay, disch. for disability, Oct. 8, 1862. Julmn W. Close, disch. for disability, Oct. 8, 1862. Benjamin C. Cook, disch. for disability by reason of wounds, Oct. 8, 1862.

Jolin 4 A. Cook, disch, for disability, Dec. 4, 1862.

EIGHTII INFANTRY.

CHAPTER VIL.

EIGHTH INFANTRY.

Organization of the Eighth at Camp Anderson-The Port Royal Ex- pedition-Battles of Port Royal Ferry and Wilmington Island- Terrible Conflict at Secessionville-Campaign under Gen. Pope- South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg-Campaigns in Kentucky, Mississippi, and East Tennessee-Veteran Re enlist- ment and Return to the Army of the Potomac-The Wilderness and Petersburg-The Eighth leads the Union Column into the City -- End of Service and Muster Out.

THE Eighth Regiment of Michigan Infantry was or- ganized in the summer and fall of 1861 by Col. William M. Fenton, who became its commander, and led it bravely on many bloody fields. One company of this regiment was composed principally of Clinton County men, and another was in the same manner distinctively a Shiawassee com- pany. Volunteers from these counties were also found in the ranks of five of its other companies.

The Clinton company contained the earliest enlistments that were made in that county, dating as early as May 1st, when Captain Richard Baylis commenced recruiting for a company to join the Second Infantry. It was called the " Clinton Rangers," and was filled in about two weeks, but was after all too late for acceptance in the Second, and this fact caused the announcement to be made, on the 17th of May, that " the Clinton Rangers are hereby dis- banded." Afterwards, however, most of the " Rangers" volunteered in other companies, principally in the "St. John's Union Guard," which was organized at Clinton Ilall, St. John's, June 22d, by the enrollment of fifty names of volunteers, and the choice of the following officers of the company, viz. : Oliver L. Spaulding, Captain ; W. Il. Paine, First Lieutenant ; Charles F. Smith, Second Lieu- tenant ; William T. Magoffin, W. Ely Lewis, J. W. Brad- nor, N. T. Jones, and A. B. Nourse, Sergeants; and An- thony Cook, Luther Pratt, Edwin Ilewett, and Aaron B. Taylor, Corporals. A " board of directors" was also chosen, composed of Charles Kipp, Henry Walbridge, Timothy Baker, Stephen J. Wright, and William Sickels. The company met for drill under these officers, but was soon afterwards reorganized as the " St. John's Volunteers," un- der Capt. Gilbert E. Pratt and 1st Lieut. W. Ely Lewis, and having been augmented by a number of volunteers from Gratiot County, was assigned to duty with the Eighth Infantry, and designated as Company B of that regiment.

The Shiawassee County company of the Eighth was re- cruited and organized in Angust, 1861, under Capt. J. L. Quackenbush, of Owosso, and 1st Lieut. Albert Bainbridge, of Byron, in the expectation that it would be joined to the Ninth or Tenth Regiment. It was, however, assigned to duty with the Eighth, and designated in the organization of that regiment as Company I.

The Eighth Infantry was rendezvoused at " Camp An- derson," Grand Rapids, on the 21st of August. There it remained for four weeks, engaged in drill, organization, and the filling of its ranks to the maximum number. On the 18th of September it moved to Detroit, and thence to a camp at Fort Wayne, below the city, where, on the 23d, it was mustered into the United States service for three years by Capt. II. R. Mizner, U.S.A., its strength when mus-

tered being nine hundred. Its field-officers, besides Col. Fenton, were Lieut .- Col. Frank Graves and Maj. Amasa B. Watson.

Orders for the departure of the regiment were received on the 26th of September, and on Friday (the 27th) it embarked on the steamers " Ocean" and " May Queen," and moved down the river and lake, arriving at Cleveland the following morning. From there it moved by railroad through Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Baltimore to Wash- ington, where it arrived on the 30th, and encamped on Meridian Hill, its camp being named "Camp Williams." In due time the men received arms and equipments, and on the 9th of October the regiment moved to Annapolis, Md., and there occupied the grounds of the Naval Academy. On the 19th of October it was ordered to embark on board the ocean-steamer " Vanderbilt," then lying at Annapolis. It was evidently bonnd on some distant expedition, but its destination and objeet were unknown, and were matters of endless surmise and speculation among the officers and men during the passage down the Chesapeake. On the " Van- derbilt" with the Eighth was the Seventy-ninth New York Regiment, called the " Ilighlanders," and neither regiment appeared to be very favorably impressed with the appearance or presence of the other. One who was present on board the ship at that time wrote afterwards concerning this, as follows : " The men of the Eighth Michigan and Seventy-ninth New York looked distrustfully on each other. The ship was rather uncomfortably crowded, having eighteen hundred persons on board, and every effort to obtain better storage by one party was jealously watched by the other. The Eighth regarded the Seventy-ninth as a set of foreigners and sots, and the latter regarded our men as a lot of un- drilled bushwhackers, tinged with verdaney." How long this state of feeling continued does not appear, but it is certain that there was afterwards developed between them a friendship which became absolute affection,-so strong and marked that it was proverbial among the different commands of the army where the two regiments were known.

Upon their arrival at Fortress Monroe they found the roadstead crowded with a fleet made up of war-steamers and transports filled with troops. This fleet, including the " Vanderbilt," went to sea in the morning of October 29th, and the sight was grand and inspiriting. For a time the winds favored and the sea was comparatively smooth, but afterwards a heavy gale came on in which the vessels were scattered, and three or four of them were lost. During this time the troops suffered greatly from sea-sickness and overcrowding on the transports. The fleet had sailed under sealed orders, and its destination was as yet unknown ex- cept to the naval and military commanders. At last the storm abated, the vessels one by one returned within sig- naling distance of each other, and the low shores of South Carolina became visible on the starboard hand. Six days (which seemed as many weeks) from the time of its de- parture from Fortress Monroe the fleet arrived off IIilton llead, S. C., Nov. 1, 1861. The object of the expedition was now apparent, and, with a smoother sea and an enemy almost in sight, sea-sickness and dejection gave place to buoyant spirits and eager enthusiasm.

The fleet was composed of fourteen armed vessels, twenty-

HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE AND CLINTON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN.

two first-class steamers, twelve smaller steamers, and twenty- six sailing-vessels. The commander of the fleet was Com- modore (afterward Admiral) S. F. Dupont, whose flag-ship was the splendid steam-frigate " Wabash." The land forees consisted of thirteen regiments of volunteers, in three brigades,-in all, about eleven thousand men,-under com- mand of Gen. T. W. Sherman. The Second Brigade, com- posed of the Fiftieth and One Hundredth Pennsylvania, Eighth Michigan, and Seventy-ninth New York, was under. command of Brig .- Gen. Isaac 1. Stevens.

The channel connecting Port Royal harbor with the sea was guarded on either side by a strong rebel fortification. These were known as Forts Walker and Beauregard, and the reduction of these, by the navy, was the first work to be done. For three days after their arrival the vessels re- mained in quiet, below, as the weather was not considered sufficiently favorable for operations; but on the 7th the " Wabash" set her signal for battle, and advaneed to the attack, followed by the other armed ships in their proper order. They moved in a circular line, up, past one fort, and down, past the other, delivering their tremendous broadsides into each as they eame abreast of it. With the fire from the ships, and the responses from the forts, it was almost a continuous volley of artillery, which shook the earth and made the very waters tremble. But at length the fire of the forts began to slacken, their replies grew more and more feeble, and finally the stars and bars above their ramparts gave place to the white flag. A little later the standard of the Union floated above the captured works on both sides of the channel.

On the following day the Eighth landed at Hilton Head, and oeeupied Fort Walker. On the 17th of December, it moved to Beaufort, a place of surpassing beauty, where many of the wealthy people of Charleston had, in the old days of peace, made their summer residences. It was now found deserted by nearly all its inhabitants except negroes. The eamp at this place was made in a grove of magnificent live-oaks, on the publie square, which was surrounded on all sides by stately mansions. Except on account of the losses sustained by the Eighth in the vicinity of Beaufort, the stay of the regiment at this place was among the most pleasing of all its experienees during its term of service. On the 18th, Companies A and F, of the Eighth, were sent on a reconnoitering expedition to the mainland, across Coosaw River, and while engaged in this service, David Burns Foote, of Capt. Guild's company, was killed by the enemy ; he being the first man of the regiment who fell in his country's service. The Eighth, during the time it was stationed at Beaufort, was engaged in other reconnois- sanees, and in picket duty ; and detachments occupied Grey's Hill, Ladies' Island, Pinckney's Island, Brickyard Point, and some of the neighboring plantations.

The first battle in which the regiment was engaged was that of Coosaw River, or Port Royal Ferry, Jan. 1, 1862. An official report by Col. Fenton to Gen. Stevens, embracing an account of that engagement, is here given :

"HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH MICHIGAN REGIMENT, " MAINLAND, PORT ROYAL FERRY, Jan. 1, 1862.

" BRIG .- GEN. STEVENS: Sir,-I have the honor to re- port that in compliance with your order this regiment was

safely landed at the Adams House on the mainland, having effected the erossing in flatboats from Brickyard Point, Port Royal Island, and took up its line of march towards the enemy's battery at this place at one o'clock P.M. On our approach towards the ferry we were ordered to attack (as skirmishers) a masked battery which opened fire on us from the right. I immediately detached the first two and tenth companies, and directed their march to the left and front on the battery, which was followed by four additional companies to the right and front. The fire of the battery with shells continued on our lines until the skirmishers reached the right, when it was turned on them, and on their approach right, left, and front to within fifty to one hundred yards of the enemy's position, a fire of musketry was opened upon them. The force of the enemy, as well as the battery, was concealed to a considerable extent by trees, brush, and underwood, but appeared to consist of two mounted howitzers, supported by a regiment or more of in- fantry and some cavalry. The skirmishers were measurably protected by underbrush and furrows, and continued their fire upon the enemy, which was returned by volleys of mus- ketry and shells from the battery. Our fire was well di- rected, and seemed to be effective. One mounted offieer who seemed to be very active, was seen to fall from his horse, at which the troops on the enemy's right were thrown into confusion. Their position seemed to be changing to the rear, and as our skirmishers were ealled off and the regiment formed in line the enemy's fire ceased. The regiment was then marched to its position in line of battle in rear of the fort at this point.

" Lieut .- Col. Graves led the left and Maj. Watson the right of the skirmishers. The major, in leading on the line, received a severe flesh wound in the leg. I have to report that officers and men behaved with admirable bravery and coolness. The loss of the enemy from the well-directed fire of our skirmishers eannot be less than forty. Our loss is seven wounded, two missing. A list is appended. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

" WM. M. FENTON, " Col. Eighth Michigan Regiment."

Of the three companies which made the attack, Capt. Pratt's company (" B," known in the regiment as the " Clinton Boys") had the right of the line. The left of this company was joined by the right of " A" company, and the left of the line was held by Company K. The affair of Port Royal Ferry, although not a great battle, was extremely trying to the qualities of raw troops, as they then were, but they went through it with the same cool and admirable bravery which they afterwards exhibited on many bloodier fields. Capt. Pratt's company sustained no loss in killed, but it had a number wounded, among whom were James Dodge, L. L. Warner, Henry O. Brown, Frederick Miller, and Amos Wetherby, acting orderly- sergeant.

During the months of January, February, and March the regiment was employed in drill and picket duty, but always ready to respond to marching orders, which were constantly expected, and were finally received on the 9th of April, when the Eighth left Beaufort and moved to

EIGHTH INFANTRY.

Tybee Island, Ga., where it was reported to Gen. Q. A. Gillmore, commanding the operations against Savannah. It was present (but not engaged) at the bombardment of Fort Pulaski, on the 10th and 11th, as also at the surrender of that formidable work.

On the 16th of April seven companies of the regiment, each about forty strong, and including the Clinton and Shiawassee companies,-B and I,-were detailed, with a detachment of Rhode Island artillery, as an escort to Lieut. C. H. Wilson, chief of the topographical engi- neers, Department of the South, to make a reconnaissance of Wilmington Island, with a view to the erection of forti- fications upon it if found practicable. The force was em- barked on the steamer " Honduras," and moved to the place designated, where it landed and proceeded to the execution of the duty assigned. This resulted in an en- gagement with a force of the enemy, consisting of the 13th Georgia, " Oglethorpe Light Infantry," and the " Altamaha Scouts," in all about eight hundred strong. A detailed account of this movement and battle is given in Col. Fen- ton's official report, of which the following is a copy :

" HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH REGIMENT MICH. VOLS. "On board the steamer ' Honduras,' off Wilmington Island, Ga., April 16, 1862,-eleven P.M.

" LIEUT. W. L. M. BURGER, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.

"SIR,-I have the honor to report, for the information . ol' the general commanding, that in compliance with Special Orders No. 41, I embarked with seven companies of the Eighth Michigan Regiment, as an escort to Lient. C. Il. Wilson, Topographieal Engineer, on a reconnoissance off Wilmington Island. Two companies were landed at Scri- ven's plantation under command of Capt. Pratt, with orders from Lieut. Wilson to skirt Turner's Creek. The other five companies were landed at Gibson's plantation. Two ol' those companies were ordered to skirt Turner's Creek. A third was to take the road to the right, towards the ferry at Canan's Bluff, to protect the boat party up Oatland Creek. Owing to the small number of boats, and the dis- tance from the steamer, which was aground, some delay occurred in the disembarkation. I directed Lient .- Col. Graves to follow with the second company to skirt Turner's Creek ; but he by misdirection took the road to the right, towards Canan's Bluff, and on landing with the remaining companies, I received information from him that the enemy were in force at Flatwood's plantation, and to the left of the road. This made the reconnoissanee with boats unsafe, and I ordered the companies all in and stationed the re- maining companies to guard against an attack at our land- ing, and sent out strong pickets on both roads. I believe the advance of the company to the right, instead of along Turner's Creek, saved my command, as it sooner enabled me to post the men to advantage, and take a position from which the enemy's approach could be observed. The enemy appeared to be the Georgia Thirteenth, about eight hundred strong, armed with Enfield rifles. As they approached, about four P.M., with a strong body of skirmishers in the skirt of woods below the road, the companies to the right and left of the road, in accordance with my instructions,

opened fire. I immediately sounded the charge for an ad- vanee of the companies in the rear of the first line; but the first line misunderstanding the signal, fell back to the next company. A constant and effective fire was kept up on both sides from the cover of the trees and bushes. Lieut. Wilson, who had returned with the boat's party, here proved of great service to me, and took a party, at my request, to the left. I ordered a company to the right, to flank the enemy. Both operations were successful, and in a few moments the enemy retreated in confusion, leaving several dead on the field, and followed by our men with loud cheers. It being now about sunset, I recalled our troops, and giving to Lient. Wilson the command of pickets stationed to guard against surprise, formed the companies into line as originally posted, sent the dead and wounded in boats to the ship, and gradually and very quietly, under cover of darkness, withdrawing the men, sent them on board as fast as our limited transportation would allow. At the last trip of the boat I embarked, accompanied by Lieut. Wilson, Lieut .- Col. Graves, and the remainder of the command, at about ten o'clock P.M., and immediately brought on board the two companies left at Scriven's plan- tation. After the enemy retreated we were unmolested. It is due to the officers and men of the command to say that generally they behaved with cool and intrepid courage. Adj. Pratt fell dead near my side, gallantly fighting, musket in hand, and cheering on the men. Our loss, I regret to say, was comparatively large,-ten killed and thirty-five wounded, out of a command of three hundred men. Among the wounded was Acting Lieut. Badger, of Com- pany C, who was in charge of the advanced picket, and exhibited undaunted courage. He, with one of his men, was taken prisoner. Both escaped and were brought in when the enemy retreated. The captain of the ' Honduras' is deserving of great eredit for his kind attention to the wounded, and he afforded ns every facility for the comfort of officers and men in his power. I respectfully refer you to Lieut. Wilson's report, which I have seen, which con- tains some facts not embraced in this report ; among others, in relation to the men detailed in charge of the field-piece on board ship, who were vigilant and attentive. Herewith I transmit a list of casualties.

" I ani, very respectfully, your obedient servant, " WILLIAM M. FENTON, Col. Commanding."

The part of Lieut. Wilson's report to which Col. Fenton alluded as having reference to the detachment in charge of the field-piece was as follows : " Lieut. Caldwell and sixteen men of the Rhode Island volunteers, with one light six- pounder, were left in charge of the steamer. The gun could not be handled on account of the inability of the boat to lie alongside the landing. After holding the ground for three hours the entire force was quietly em- barked without further accident, though it must be con- fessed that had the enemy renewed his attack while we were embarking we should have suffered great loss. Our five small boats could not move more than fifty men every thirty minutes, and the steamer lay in such a position that the six-pounder could not be brought to bear without jeop- ardizing the lives of our own people."

HISTORY OF SIHIAWASSEE AND CLINTON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN.

From Wilmington Island the command returned to Beau- fort, and the first knowledge which Gen. Stevens had of the battle of the 16th was conveyed by the arrival of the dead and wounded from that field. The dead were buried with all military honors, the entire brigade attending their funeral.

During the month of May the Eighth was engaged on picket duty and other similar service, on Port Royal Island. On the 2d of June it moved thence to Stono River, S. C., to relieve the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts Regiment, on picket on James Island, where the Eighth arrived on the day following its departure from Port Royal. Here it was attached to the First Brigade of the Second Division, under Gen. Stevens; the brigade being placed under com- mand of Col. Fenton, and Lieut -Col. Graves succeeding to the command of the regiment.

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History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan, Part 13

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, D.W. Ensign & co. Number of Pages: 716

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, D.W. Ensign & co.
Number of Pages: 716