History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 60

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814


USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 60


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).


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The Fifth Battery was raised at Marshall, and loft for the seat of war December 17. 1561. During the year 1863, it formed a portion of the artillery reserve garrisoning Nashville. It formed a part of Gen. Hard's brigade, at Murfreesboro. from June until October, 1863. From that period until July, 1861. it was stationed at Nashville. One section participated in the raid made in July, by the forces under Maj. Gen. Roussean, in Alabama and Georgia. To facilitate their movements, which were very rapid, one piece of the section was abandoned on the Blue Mountains. One section. for the period of nearly four mouths prior to the Ist of November, was stationed at Springfield, Tenn., when it was moved to Nashville, where it remained until February 10, 1865. At this date, it moved to Decatur, Ala. It began field service at Pittsburg Landing April 7. 1862, and performed its last field duties at Nashville December 16, 1861. The greater portion of its service was in garrison. Its arrival at Jack- son, July 16, was followed by its discharge on the 30th of that month, 1865.


The Sixth Battery. organized at Coldwater in October, 1861. moved to Kentucky March 3, 1862. At the battle of Richmond, in that State, its six guns were captured by the rebels. During the year 1863, the battery formed a portion of the Munfordsville and Bowling Green garrisons.


From January to April 21. 1861, it was stationed at Knoxville. It was equipped thoroughly during the latter month, and outered on the Atlanta campaign, and reached Chat- tanooga after sharing in the pursuit of Gen. Hood.


During the war, the battery was in operation in thirteen general engagements, ontering service in the field at Richmond, Ky., in 1862, and concluding field service at Wise's Forks, N. C., March 10, 1865, where it lost one killed and two wounded. After a term characterized by general good service, it returned to Jackson, and reported for discharge June 21. 1565.


The Seventh Battery was raised in connection with the Thirteenth Michigan Infantry. It moved to Kentucky February 12, 1562. under Capt. C. H. Lamphere. The battery served in Western Virginia in November, 1862, but was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., during the month, and from thence to the Yazoo River, Miss. It took part in the battle of Chickasaw Bayon, December 28 and 29, losing ten wounded, two of them mortally.


In January, 1863. it moved with the Union forces to Arkansas Post, and at the taking of that place was held in reserve. After the surrender of Arkansas Post, it proceeded to Young's Point, La., opposite Vieksburg. During February and March, the battery lay at Young's Point and at Milliken's Bend, La. In April, it embarked on transports which ran the robel blockade of the river at Grand Gulf, landed at Bruinsburg, and, on the 30th, marched toward Port Gibson. The battery participated in the campaign of Gen. Grant, following the advance on Port Gibson. At the battle of Thompson's Hills, May I, it lost two killed and two wounded. It was in the engagement at Champion Hills on the 16th, and on the 17th assisted


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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.


in driving the rebels from Black River Bridge. On the 19th, it arrived in the rear of Vicks- burg, and was among the first to commence the attack on that place. It participated actively in the siege, shelling the enemy's works and the city daily, and was present at the surrender on the 4th of July. Taking part in the movement on Jackson, it was engaged in the skirmishes of the 8th. 9th and 10th. and on the 11th took position before the fortifications at Jackson, from which it assisted in driving the enemy. After the evacuation of Jackson by the rebels, the battery returned to Vicksburg, and during the month of August proceeded to Carrollton, La. Its losses for the year were, four killed, seventeen died of disease, and fourteen wounded.


In November. 1863. the battery was moved from Carrollton to Aransas Point, Tex. After participating in several light engagements, it returned to Carrollton June 19, and thence to Fort Morgan October 11. 1864, where it remained until April 10, 1865, when it moved on Mobile. After the capture of that rebel post. it rendered garrison duty until July, when it was ordered to report at Jackson for discharge. It arrived in that city August 2. and was disbanded four days later.


De Golyer (Light) Battery was formed at Monroe. under Capt. Samuel De Golyer, in March, 1862, and left, en route to St. Louis, on the 13th of that month. It took an active part in the military affairs of Tennessee and Mississippi during November and December. 1862.


In January, 1863, it entered upon duty at Holly Springs. In the Mississippi campaign of that year. it performed good service at Thompson Hill May 1: Raymond, May 12; Cham- pion Hills, May 16; Vicksburg, May 19. After the capture of Vicksburg, it remained on duty there to the close of the year.


During 1864, the principal operations of the Battery were carried on in Georgia. It moved to Chattanooga in October, and thenee to Nashville on November 18. It returned to Chattanooga February 16, 1865. and was stationed there until ordered to Jackson, Mich., in May. Arriving in the State July 4. 1865. it received its final discharge on the 22d of that month. During its term of service, it participated in fifteen engagements, and won a very fair record.


The Ninth Battery was raised at Detroit and left for Washington, under Capt. Daniels, De- cember 4. 1862. Ils service was entered upon at Aldie, Va., April 27, 1863, and coneluded at Turner's Ferry, Ga., August 29. 1864. Its losses aggregated twenty-seven men This battery was discharged at Jackson, July 14, 1862.


The Tenth Battery. comprising 104 men, was organized at Grand Rapids in January, 1863, and left for the front February 26. Its first service was garrison duty at Upton Hill, Va., where it served until attached to the Army of the Cumberland October 28, 1863. While serving with the Seventh Cavalry one man was killed and one died of disease. During the summer of 1864, the battery was distributed, so to speak, among gun-boats, transports and artillery organiza- tions. The remnant of the Tenth aided in the repulse of Gen. Wheeler's forces at Dalton. The battery moved to Chattanooga in October. thence to Riceville and thence to Detroit, where it arrived July 12, 1865.


The Eleventh Battery was formed at Coldwater, and proceeded to the front with the Ninth Cavalry May 23. 1863. Its tirst reception to the enemy was given June 15. at Tripplets Bridge. Again on July 5 it threatened the rear of Gen. J. H. Morgan's troops at Lebanon, and con- tinued in his pursuit for some time until the capture of the refugees on Buffington's Island. The three sections of this battery rendered great services during the year, having been instru- mental in the tinal defeat and capture of Gen. Morgan's force at Salineville, Ohio. July 26. It rendered good service at Lenoir September 22. During its term of service, it lost nine men, who died of disease. The changes and varied service of this battery during 1864 were many and severe. The number of deaths resulting from disease was eleven. A section of this bat- tery serving on Strawberry Plains, crossed the Holstein River and joined the main command at Knoxville. It was ordered to report at Jackson for discharge, and arrived at that post August 19, 1865.


The Twelfth Battery was formed in connection with the Eighth Cavalry, but did not go to the front with that regiment, owing to its non-completion. At a later date, however, it was


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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.


mnstered in and rendered go xl service in Indiana against John Morgan's raiders. In January. 1861. the battery was placed in position at Cumberland Gap, and guarded that route during the year. May 10, it moved with the Second Brigade of the First Division, Army of the Cumber- land. to Strawberry Plains. Having completed its term of service, it was ordered to report at Jackson where it arrived July 12, and was mustered ont August 1. 1965.


The Thirteenth Battery was organized at Grand Rapids, under Capt. Callaghan, and left l'or Washington February 3. 1861. under Capt. O. Riordan. During its term of service. it lost thirteen mon. The command was discharged at Jackson July 1. 1565.


The Fourteenth Battery was formed at Kalamazoo, and loft en route to the front February 1. 1564. It was equipped April 20, and ordered to position at Fort Bunker Hill. May 15. Its principal services wore rendered round the defenses of Washington. It participated in repell ing the assault of Gen. Early on the onter forts in July. During the year 1564 its losses, wholly by disease, were eight men. Its service in 1865 was garrisoning Forts Carrol. Gribble and Snyder, which duty it performed diligently until ordered home, June 17. 1865. Arriving in Jackson four days after. it reported for discharge, and was mustered out July 1. Isti5.


Casualties. Samuel Cove, died at New Madrid, August 7, 1862: David Jones, died at Colum- bus, Ky .. December 7. 1562: Horace Crawford. died at Vicksburg, Tenn., August 22, 1563: Isaac Crawford, died at Vicksburg, Tenn., Angust 221, 1563: John Geiss, died at Corinth, Miss .. August 6. 1563; Nelson Harvey: Joseph Wolven: Joseph Moore, died at Vicksburg. Miss . Nov. 11. 1863: John J. Ernst, died at Fort Gaines. Ala., December 31. 1864; Richard A. Cusick, died at Nashville, Tonn .. February 2. 1865: Harlan P. Carey, died at Chattanooga. Tenn . March 4,


Discharged. - James Chambers, 1962; John Mellvemuy, 1862: Nicholas Groat, 1862; James Parlin, 1862: Thomas MeGinn, 1562: Hezekiah H. Haskell, 1862; Renben A. Howe, 1862; Eber Gerean, 1862: Lorenzo Oppell, 1963; George Herrin, 1863: George W. Van Mater, 1563; Anthony Burgoyne, 1863: Andrew J. Hanover, 1863; James Chambers. 1561; James Ferguson, ISGI: W. T. Williams, 1865: Charles H. Fullerton. 1965: A:lam Summerer, 1865: John M. Shindler, 1865: Lonis Parent, 1865: Austin AAbbey, 1865; JJohn M. Richards, Edmund G. Griffin, ES64: Freeman Keen. 1861: John Mitchell, IS61: Engone Fechet, 1864: James O. Robertson, 1865; F. Benninghoff, 1565: John Endlick, 1865; E. B. Chamberlain. 1865: George Ott, 1865: Horace C. Parlin, 1565: Adam Stein, 1865: Peter Woods, 1865; Edward M. O'Brien, 1565: Charles Beckwith, 1561; Isaac Justin. 1865: Thomas Bain, 1865: Stephen Crawford, 1861: Phillip Chaffee. 1562; Seb. Ferber, 1865: William A. Herron, 1865: Thomas Lazier, 1565; Ambrose Rogers, 1565: Peter Seymour, 1565; Henry Ward, 1565: Henry Cox, 1865: Amasa M. Chaffee, 1565: Lewis Defort. 1865; Columbus Fluirey. 1565: Enoch Fox. 1565: Paul Ganthier, 1565: Charles Hemple, 1865: bonis LeClair, 1865; August Murray, 1865: Nicholas Orth. 1565: Thomas Snay. 1865; Frederic Snay, 1865: Alexander Thibault, 1565: Peter Wolvin, 1565: Henry Watson, 1865: John C. Rix. IS65: Henry Palmer. 1865,


OTHER MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.


Among the other military organizations were "Dygert's Sharpshooters." the " Stanton Guards." the " Provost Guards. " the " Local Defense Companies." The Jackson Guards. Com- pany A, Twenty third Illinois Infantry, was originally the " Jackson Guards " of the city of Detroit. It entered service on the loth of June. 1861, joining its regiment ta three months" organization) at Chicago. It moved thence to Missouri, and was part of the garrison of Lox- ington when that post was attacked. on the 15th of September. Il. by an overwhelming rebel army under Gon. Sterling Price. The Union troops, under Col. Mulligan, held out for nine days before their small forco surrendered. They were then paroled, and in October this regi- mont was mustered out of service. In December following. however, it was re-organized. the Michigan company re-enlisting, and filling up with recruits from this State. The regiment pro- ceeded to Western Virginia, in June, 1562, and has since been on duty there.


The Por Pour Guards. - Early in the war, a company was raised at Paw Paw. in this State. which went into service with a New York regiment, and is yet known as Company C. Seven tieth New York Infantry. It was engaged at Chancellorsville, May 3. 1563: at Gettysburg.


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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.


July 2, losing five killed and eight wounded; and in the same month at Wapping Heights. The company was never recognized by the War Department as a Michigan organization. Its officers were appointed by the Governor of New York.


The volunteers from St. Clair who were scattered throughout those commands, are named in the following list:


First Michigan Sharpshooters Discharged .- Thomas C. Allen, 1863; Phillip Koepfgen, 1863; John McFarlane, 1865; Birney Dutton. 1865; Mark Schell, 1865; William McQueen, 1865; James Maul, 1865; Charles Boylan, 1865; Stout Van Orman, 1865; Martin R. Arm- strong, 1865; John Airheart, 1865; Emmett M. Bennett, 1865; Josiah Ross, 1865; John Isaacs, 1865; John Fitzgerald, 1865; Richard Campbell, 1865; Charles Valentine, 1865; William J. Ross, 1865; Jay R. Brewer, 1865; John Randall. 1865; Ira King, 1865; Charles Lashbrooks. 1865; Charles Ross, 1865; James Richardson, 1865; James Sanders, 1865; John C. Young, 1865; David Blair, 1865; Henry Fye. 1565: Benjamin Kilbourn, 1865; Michael Murray, 1865; Charles B. Payfer, 1865: Royal G. Platt, 1865; Charles H. Drouilliard, 1865.


Casuallies. - George W. Moore, killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; Cyrus W. Hall. killed at Wilderness, May 6, 1864; James B. Smith, killed at Petersburg, July 2, 1864; William Austin, died at Washington, May 12, 1864; William Styan, killed at Petersburg, June 17, 1864; Michael McCoy, died at Camp Douglas, November 13, 1863; John Johnson, died October 31, 1864; Anthony J. Tyson, died at Southside Railroad, Va .. September 30, 1864; Fred Smith, died at Annapolis, Md., March 23, 1864: Jacob Gohl, at Andersonville, Va., October 26, 1864.


Dygerl's Sharpshoolers Discharged .- Ira Airheart, 1863; Orrin K. Hopkins, 1863.


FIRST MICHIGAN COLORED INFANTRY.


This was organized in the fall and winter of 1863, under Col. Henry Barns, and muster ed into service February 17, 1864. The command left Detroit March 28, 1864, under command of Lieut. Col. Bennett, and reported at Annapolis early in April, where it remained until ordered to Hilton Head, S. C., April 19, 1864. Its first engagement was at Baldwin, Fla., August S. 1864, and its last field day at Singleton's Plantation, S. C., April 19, 1865. The command was discharged at Detroit, October 17, 1865. Martin Stephenson died at Beaufort, S. C., Octo- ber 7, 1864.


Discharged .-- George H. Griggs, 1865; Thomas B. Brown, 1865: Samuel Bryant, 1865; Gilbert Burress, 1865; John Clemmins, 1865; Charles Livar, 1865: Samuel Smith, 1865; George W. Lett, 1865; George Aiken, 1865; Ely Trice, 1865.


SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' CONVENTION.


A convention of soldiers and sailors of the United States was held at the court house in the city of St. Clair, on Monday, the 27th day of August, 1866, for the purpose of organizing a Soldiers' and Sailors' Union, having for its object the maintenance of their best interests, the fostering of that spirit of patriotism which led them forth to battle for their country, to secure a proper recognition of their just claims, to procure employment in the general pursuits of life for themselves and their comrades in arms who may need assistance, to extend to mem- bers who by reason of wounds, sickness or other misfortunes are prevented from pursuing their usual employments, and to the widows and orphans of fallen comrades such aid as will allevi- ate their necessities. and further to urge upon the Government and people the just claims of honorably discharged soldiers and sailors. and the care and protection of the widows and or- phans of those who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country,


The call was made July 31. 1866. Every honorably discharged soldier and sailor in the county of St. Clair was earnestly requested to attend the convention and assist in the formation of a Union for the mutual benefit of all who have stood shoulder to shoulder in their country's service


The organizers are named as follows: S. B. Brown, Eleventh Michigan Cavalry; William Sanborn, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry; N. S. Boynton, Eighth Michigan Cavalry; H. P. Wands, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry; M. H. Miles, Eleventh Michigan Cavalry; William B. Morse, Fourth Michigan Infantry; Joseph Armstrong, Second Michigan Cavalry; T. P.


HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY. 397


Miles, Eleventh Michigan Cavalry: A. C. Buffington, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry; W. H. Dumphy, Tenth Michigan Infantry; George W. Buchanan, Second Michigan Cavalry; W. H. Hartsuff, Tenth Michigan Infantry: Albert H. Landon, United States Navy: J. C. Kuhn, United States Navy; William H. Hart, United States Navy; Ambrose Caswell. United States Navy; Richard H. Rogers, United States Navy; Oliver Morton, United States Navy: William Clenden- ing, United States Navy: John W. Lewis. United States Navy; A. S. Hayward, United States Navy; N. S. Boyton, Eighth Michigan Cavalry; James Hagter, Eighth Michigan Cavalry; John Jones, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry; Franklin Northrop, Eighth Michigan Cavalry; Oliver Dinant, Second Michigan Infantry; Thomas W. Main, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry: James Robertson, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry; Charles A. Hayward. Eighth Michigan Cavalry; Martin Bringham, Eighth Michigan Cavalry; Samuel Fitzgerald, Third Michigan Infantry.


The convention elected Gen S. B. Brown, President; Col. John Atkinson, Vice President; Sergt. Patterson, Recording Secretary; Lient. E. G. Spaulding, Corresponding Secretary. and Col. Henry Whiting, Treasurer.


SOLDIERS AND SAILORS OF MACOMB AND ST. CLAIR.


This organization of veterans may be numbered among the great military associations of the United States. Its re-unions are characterized by a desire to do honor to the past, to keep the memory of fallen comrades green, to lay down precedents for the future. The society may be said to date its organization from August 31, 1871. when the members of the Twenty-second Michigan Infantry assembled at Romeo, and elected the following officers: President, Gon. William Sanborn, of Port Huron: First Vice President, Col. H. S. Deau, of Ann Arbor; Second Vice President, Prof. O. D. Thompson, of Lapeer: Secretary, Lient. E. G. Spanld- ing, of Port Huron; Treasurer, Capt. G. W. Robertson, of Mt. Clemens; Orator, Lient. Irv. ing D. Hanscom, of Romeo. Capt. Edgar Weeks delivered the oration on that occasion. The re-unions of the Twenty-second and Fifth Michigan Infantry, and of the Eighth Michigan Cavalry, since that time have been held at various places in Macomb. St. Clair and Oakland Counties. The following poem. by William H. Clark, was read before the veterans assembled at Mt. Clemens, August 31, ISSI :


"Why meet we comrades, here to day? Why gather friends; why this display? War's rude alarms are past and gone. No more we hear the warlike drum. Or fife's shrill cry.


"Why burnish up our memories here? What joys or sorrows are so near. That wake to life scenes of the past, Exciting scenes, dissolving fast In days of fear?


" Full twenty years have passed away, The time seems short, aye, but a day, The martyred Lincoln called for men Our glorious Union to maintain, The Nation's stay.


" A U'nion which our fathers wrought, A land for us so dearly bought, In days when men were sorely tried. Who pledged their all, and nobly died, Not all for nought.


" Columbia's sons, O know ye not That traitors would with hideous blot, Disgrace the Flag that patriots made, Strike out the stars thereon displayed, In fearful fray?


" O hear ye not those threat'ning tones, Now drawing nearer to your homes, Observe ye not the coming storm, Now bursting near with loud alarm? Then why delay ?


"Sons of Macomb, and broad St. Clair. O sce ye not that fearful glare? Which lighteth up Fort Sumter's wall, The opening strife on Southern soil. O do not stay.


" But rally, sons of noble sires, Light up your homes with patriot fires. Wave high the Starry Banner, high. And swear its fealty to stand by, Tho' death has sway.


"Now Wayne. St. Clair and old Macomb, With Oakland, Saginaw and Livingston. And Shiawassee, all arise. The fighting Fifth to organize, And march away.


" In early day, down to the front, To meet the foe, the battle's brunt, lis record shining mid the storm, We weep to find four hundred gone. So brave and true.


-


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"And the gallant Twenty-second, too, Bravely into the breach it flew, On many a hot and bloody ground, Nobly fighting. always found. A good name wins.


" While mem'ry brings years that have fled, Forget not those now with the dead, Who bore with us the strife and heat; On silent camping grounds they sleep, With arms at rest.


"And next, the hardy Eighth comes on, To breast the waves of secession. With sturdy ranks and hearts so true, John Morgan's troops to interview And gain the day.


"It is with joy, comrades. this day That we here meet, in peaceful way, And in each face reflecting bright, Preserved, though scarred from war's sad blight. All hail this day.


"And we surviving comrades now, With wrinkles gathering on each brow, In mutual toil, privations met. The crown of victory there is set, Without display.


" A country saved, united land, A Union worthy to command True freedom in its broadest sense


' Liberty and Union' its defense, Ilail, glorious land."


The meeting held at Mt Clemens in September, 1881, was, perhaps, the largest and most enthusiastic of all the happy re-unions of Michigan troops Among the guests were Capt. W. F. Atkinson, Col. Wormer, Col. W. D. Wilkins, Col. Duffield, Col. Pulford, and others, of De- troit: Col. Dean, of Ann Arbor; Chaplain Jacokes, of Pontiac; George F. Lewis, and others from home and abroad. Several old battle flags stood upon the stage, among them the torn banner of the Old Fifth. Col. Farrar was President of the Day. Mayor Russell made an ad- dress of greeting in which he cordially welcomed the visitors. He considered that Mt. Clem- ens was honored by their presence; the homes and hospitalities of her people were at their dis- posal. The Mayor touched upon the pleasures of the re-union, principal among such being the renewing of old friendships formed amid the trials of war, the recital of the experiences of camp and field. Veterans of the Fifth could fight again Fair Oaks and the Wilderness, while the hearts of the Twenty-second would warm once more as they told of Chattanooga.


Capt. W. F. Atkinson delivered the following oration:


" We are again together, not so many as of old, not so young as we were, but with the same true hearts, with the same love for our country, and willing, if necessary, to risk our lives for its preservation.


" As the good citizens of Mt. Clemens kindly entertain ns, we will renew the friendships of the camp, and march. and battle field, turn back on memory's golden wings and call up faces long since among the missing, tramp again over the hard stone roads and hills of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, and sing once more the good old songs that echoed so sweetly on the Southern air.


" At times like this we can forget the bones that ached and the heels that were blistered, and remember the camps in beautiful groves and the mellow squeak of the Confederate shoat as a bayonet sacrificed him on the altar of liberty. The delicious odor of boiled hen and sweet- potatoes comes to me now as sweetly fragrant as the rose, while the flame from the top rail curls gracefully round the camp kettle, and soars upward to the clouds where the spirits of departed foragers whiff it with joy. We will be boys again for a day and let the world take care of itself.


" Michigan sent none but good regiments to the war, and none of them did her more honor than the ones you represent.


"There is in the hearts of the people a great love for and pride in the Fighting Fifth. Its glorious record commenced early in the war, and on every battle-field of Virginia new laurals were won. One by one, sometimes hundreds at a time, brave men fell from its ranks, but al- ways with their faces to the foe. Its flag was ever seen in the thickest of the fight, and was never lowered. Many a brave man's blood was given for that flag, and it is to-day, torn and tattered though it be, one of the fairest jewels in Michigan's crown of glory.


"'Tattered, torn is the beautiful flag For which our brothers fought and fell;


Tattered, it looks like a very rag, That flag they loved so well.


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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.


"' But when on resurrection morn Gabriel sounds the reveille. In answer to the Angel's horn A gallant sight you'll ser.


For once again the Fighting Filth Their glorious banner high shall lift And place it where in Heavenly hall "Twill wave the proudest of them all.'


" I can see some of the boys smile at the idea of Col. Farrar and Maj. Mathews becoming angels, but you know Heaven's ramparts are to be stormed when taken, and the old regiment will go at them and over them as it did over the rebel breastworks at Coll Harbor, at North Anna, at the Wilderness and at Petersburg where its flag was first to wave on the rebel works. " On a May day nineteen years ago the ladies of Mt. Clemens presented to a cavalry regi- ment then just organized, a silken ilag. On its face shone a star for every State. It was the tlag of Washington, of Jackson, of human liberty-the stars and stripes; and as the eloquent tongue of your honored citizen, Robert P. Eldredge, told them to take and protect that banner for the sake of themselves, their homes, and the generations yet to be, every man of the gallant Eighth vowed to shield it with his life; and well they kept that vow. The regiment was bap- tized in blood before it was out a week. It captured John Morgan. It swept over Kentucky and Tennessee, carrying death in its path to the rebel foe. The mountains of Georgia heard the clatter of its horses' hoofs. It was with Stoneman at the Chattahoochie, and Macon, and it faced Longstreet day by day, when the Union army foll back on Knoxville. It was in thirty- nine battles, and the soil of four States has been made holy by the blood of its men. What has become of its beautiful flag I do not know, but the ladies who gave it did not trust in vain. Men of the Eighth Calvary, you may well feel proud of your okl regiment, and I did not wonder when I heard that your brave old comrade, Col. Wormer, claims that it is higher honor to be a member of the Eighth than to wear the stars of a Major General.




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