USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > History of the Twenty-fourth Michigan of the Iron brigade, known as the Detroit and Wayne county regiment > Part 4
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On August 25, the friends of Colonel Morrow presented him with a three hundred dollar horse purchased from Samuel Lyndon of Canton, through William Jennison, who said :
Colonel- It seems but yesterday that you pledged the people to organize a regiment. That pledge stands redeemed, and one thousand brave men await your command to march to the front. With grateful pride at your success, your neighbors ask you to accept this living token - in peace the emblem of labor. Amid the storm of battle, may it bear you triumphantly against your country's foes.
Colonel Morrow replied as follows:
The worth of this present is a thousand times enhanced by the fact that it is a gift from the citizens of Detroit, among whom I have passed all the days of my manhood. This camp, the roll of yonder drums, and these brave men, all seem like a dream. But yesterday, I was in the quiet pursuit of my profession. I am here because my country needs my services. I came to Detroit ten years ago, an unknown boy. Its people adopted me, and I have had honors beyond my deserts. If, by leading this regiment to the field, I can repay the debt of gratitude I owe them, I welcome the opportunity. I shall take good care that the high character of my State sustains no injury, and my battle cry shall be "Detroit, and Victory !"
FLAG PRESENTATION.
On August 26, the regiment assembled on the Campus Martius, at 5 o'clock P. M. to receive a beautiful flag donated to it by Messrs. F. Buhl & Co. It was presented by David E. Harbaugh, who said:
Colonel Morrow-Your regiment has been sooner raised than any other that has left the State. Messrs. F. Buhl & Co. request me to present, through you, to the regiment this beautiful banner. It is the gift of generous, loyal men to patriotic soldiers. It symbolizes our Union, its power, grandeur and glory. In the smoke and din of battle, may its beautiful folds ever be seen till victory shall bring peace to our distracted country.
Colonel Morrow, taking the flag, said :
This is the flag of the United States, and it shall never be any other. I have a check from a citizen of Detroit for the color-bearer, Abel G. Peck, of Nankin, and a further assurance of one hundred dollars in the event of the flag not being lost in battle,-as it never will be. [Cheers.]
41
RAISING THE REGIMENT.
Judge J. V. Campbell then spoke as follows :
Colonel Morrow-The people of this old county feel a deep interest in those under your command, who belong to their own households. It is my pleasant duty to offer you this sword from those who will renew their proof of confidence when you lead them in battle. Let it gleam at the head of your columns until there is no longer an enemy to meet them.
To which Colonel Morrow replied :
I thank you for this handsome gift. It shall never be used except in defense of my country. If I die it will be with my face to the foe. Once more, and it may be the last time, I bid you adieu.
It was truly an affecting scene, and as Colonel Morrow martially mounted his horse and, in loud voice, gave the commands that moved his regiment away to Camp Barns, there was many a "God bless you" from those who witnessed the interesting event.
MATERIAL OF OFFICERS AND MEN.
With very few exceptions, the Twenty-fourth Michigan had competent and brave officers. Colonel Henry A. Morrow, than whom braver man never drew a sword, was born at Warrenton, Virginia, in 1829, and was educated at Rittenhouse Academy, Washington, D. C. In youth he became a page in the United States Senate and was the favorite of Senator Lewis Cass. When but seventeen years old, he became a volunteer in the Maryland and District of Columbia regiment, and for one year was in the Mexican War, participating in the battle of Monterey and the campaign against Tampico. In 1853, upon the advice of Senator Cass, he resolved to make Detroit his home. Here he studied law and, in 1854, was admitted to the bar after examination before the supreme court. For two terms he was elected city recorder, and in 1857 was elected the first judge of the recorder's court, which position he held when he raised the Twenty-fourth Michigan.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Flanigan was, physically, the best developed man in the regiment, being six feet four inches tall, and brave as a cavalier. In 1860, he became sheriff of Wayne county, which lucrative position he left at his country's call.
The field roster was not completed when the regiment left Detroit. Colonel Morrow resolved to leave the Majority vacant until it reached the front and there make a selection from some of the old regiments for that position, whose military experience would be valuable to the Twenty-fourth Michigan. Upon its arrival at Fort Lyon, he selected Captain Henry W. Nall, of the Seventh Michigan Infantry, for Major. He had seen a year's service with that excellent
42
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
regiment. He was a citizen of Detroit and brought a ripe experience in the field to the formative period of the Twenty-fourth.
Adjutant James J. Barns was a Corporal in Company F, First Michigan (three months) Infantry. He was captured at Bull Run, and had been a prisoner till July 6, 1862. Quartermaster Digby V. Bell, Jr., left a good position in the custom house. Surgeons J. H. Beech, Charles C. Smith and Alexander Collar were experienced practitioners. Chaplain William C. Way was a member of Detroit Conference.
Captain Edwin B. Wight was a graduate of Michigan University. He had studied law, and was extensively engaged in the lumber business. Captains W. G. Vinton and Isaac W. Ingersoll were well established builders, and left a thriving business to raise a company each for the Twenty-fourth Michigan. Captain C. B. Crosby was a merchant at Plymouth. Captain William J. Speed had just finished a term as city attorney; for several years he had been a member of the Detroit Light Guard, and brought good knowledge of military tactics to the regiment. Captain James Cullen was a contractor, and was zealous in raising his company. Captain William A. Owen had been admitted to the bar, but was in business. Captain George C. Gordon was a recent graduate of the Universty Law School, and Captain W. W. Wight was a Livonia farmer.
Captain A. M. Edwards had been a student for two years in Michigan University and was a sergeant in Company K, First Michigan (3 mo.) Infantry. He was captured at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and was held a prisoner of war until May 20, 1862. During this period he was among those selected as hostages for the captured privateers of the enemy. He was sent to Castle Pinkney and thence to Charleston jail, where he shared lots to be hanged in retribution for the first privateer whom the Federal government should execute. After an imprisonment of ten months he was exchanged, and recruited a company for the Twenty-fourth Michigan.
Lieutenant Richard S. Dillon was in the iron business; Lieutenant Wm. H. Rexford was practicing law; Lieutenant Charles A. Hoyt was engaged in farming; Lieutenant John M. Farland was copying in the County Clerk's office; Lieutenant John J. Lennon had already served at the front; Lieutenant Ara W. Sprague had served in the Mexican war; Lieutenant William Hutchinson was in the service of Captain Owen, in the butcher business; Lieutenant John C. Merritt was in the employ of the Michigan Central R. R. Company ; Lieutenant Walter H. Wallace had been a sergeant in Company F,
43
RAISING THE REGIMENT.
Second Michigan Infantry, and lost an eye at the battle of Fair Oaks: Lieutenant H. Rees Whiting was engaged in journalism; Lieutenant Frederick A. Buhl was a junior in Michigan University; Lieutenant W. S. Safford was a farmer, and Lieutenant C. C. Yemans was a member of the Detroit Conference; Lieutenant Malachi J. O'Donnell was foreman of the Free Press composing rooms; Lieutenant Jacob M. Howard, Jr., was a son of United States Senator Howard ; Lieutenant George W. Burchell was of military ancestry, his grandfather having fought at Waterloo; Lieutenant Newell Grace left a good law practice; Lieutenant J. M. Gordon was in the shoe trade, and Lieutenant David Birrell was in the drug business.
Such honorable mention might be continued through the non-commissioned officers and men. In the ranks were physicians, ministers, lawyers, teachers, surveyors, students of Michigan University and every college in the State, as well as men of almost every business and trade. The regiment contained the best blood of the county ; rich men and poor men; sons of the wealthy and sons of the laborer; men from foreign shores and isles of the sea, who could but imperfectly understand our language, but would help us fight our battles ; men with gray hairs, far above exemption limit, and beardless youths of tender culture. Some had already shared the hardships of the field in the earlier stages of the war. A full list of all the original members of the Twenty-fourth Michigan, with their nativities, ages; residences, etc., will be found in appendix A. Its perusal will prove interesting, although statistical, to other readers than members of our regiment.
NATIVITIES.
AMERICAN BORN.
FOREIGN BORN.
Detroit, .
64
Germany,
Wayne County,
I61
Ireland, . 85
Other counties,
II7
England,
55
New York,
250
Canada, 49
Ohio,
29
Scotland, .
I6
New Jersey, ·
I5
France,
7
Vermont,
I4
Switzerland,
6
Pennsylvania,
II
Belgium,
3
Maine,
8
Wales,
2
Connecticut,
7
Sweden,
2
New Hampshire,
6
Massachusetts,
4
Nine other States,
14
Total, .
700 Total,
.
325
Born in Michigan, 343; in other States, 357; in foreign lands, 325; unknown, 5; total, 1,030. (4)
44
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
NATIVITIES BY COMPANIES.
-
A
B
C
D
E F
G
H
I
K
Detroit,
I5
8
I
I
9
5
I8
4
3
Wayne County, .
7
3
34
35
2
9
IO
3
28
30
Other counties,
I3
9
5
5
6
19
I7
25
8
9
New York,
20
22
46
20
16
22
19
24
26
30
Other States,
9
6
S
7
14
II
18
II
II
England,
I
9
2
8
6
I
9
5
9
4
Ireland,
6
21
I
I
37
5
3
7
3
Canada,
7
8
4
3
7
3
3
4
5
5
Germany,
16
6
I
IS
8
15
9
I5
4
5
Other countries,
7
4
O
3
7
8
1
3
4
Total,
IOI
104
100
102
105
IOI
103
IOI
IOI
IOI
Americans,
64
56
92
69
40
69
75
70
77
83
Foreigners,
37
48
8
33
65
32
28
31
24
18
AGES OF THE MEMBERS.
Twenty years and under,
312
Between 40 and 50,
50
Between 20 and 25, .
271
Over 45 years, .
27
25 " 30,
193
Unknown,
2
30 " 35,
97
35
40,
78
Total,
1030
AVERAGE AGES BY COMPANIES.
A-24 years, 2 months.
F-28 years, 5 months.
B-25
66 II12
G-23
5
C-23 66 I 1/2
..
H-24
66
O
D-24 66
I
I -26
2
E-26 4
..
K-25 .6
4
Average age of members of the regiment, 25 years, 3 months.
45
RAISING THE REGIMENT.
OCCUPATIONS OF ITS MEMBERS.
Farmers,
412
Molders,
9
Ironworkers, 5
Laborers, SS
Butchers,
9
Peddlers,
5
Carpenters, 62 Machinists,
Doctors, S
5
Clerks,
38 Cigarmakers,
7
Sawyers,
5
Sailors, .
34
Engineers,
7
Teachers,
5
Blacksmiths, 25
Millers, 7
Journalists,
4
Printers,
21
Wagonmakers,
7
Preachers,
3
Shoemakers,
IS
Book-keepers,
6
Coffinmaker, .
I
Painters,
I7
Boilermakers,
6
Other trades, 75
Masons,
14
Lawyers,
6
Unknown, IO
Coopers,
12
Tailors,
6
Tinsmiths,
II Wheelwrights,
6
Total,
1030
Teamsters,
IO
Bakers,
5
Students,
IO
Brickmakers,
5
RESIDENCES OF MEMBERS BY TOWNS, ETC.
Detroit,
428
Springwells,
19
Exeter (Monroe Co.) . 6
Plymouth,
77
Huron,
I8 Clinton Co., 35
Redford,
61 Canton, 16
Washtenaw Co., 28
Livonia,
49
Trenton, 14
Oakland, Co., IO
Brownstown. . 48 Sumpter, .
Other Counties, 12
Nankin,
41 Greenfield,
9
Unknown,
3
Dearborn, . 35
Hamtramck, S
Wyandotte, 23
Ecorse, .
7
Van Buren,
20 Grosse Pointe, . 4
Romulus,
19 Ash (Monroe Co.), 29
Summary : Detroit, 428; Wayne County townships, 479; other counties, 120; unknown, 3. Total, 1030.
RESIDENCES BY COMPANIES.
STAFF - Detroit 7, townships 3, other counties I. Total II.
A-Detroit 58, Brownstown 6, other townships 12, Ash in Monroe County II, other counties 14. Total 101.
B-Detroit 60, Wyandotte 19, Trenton 13, townships S, outside counties 4. Total 104.
C-Plymouth 69, Canton 7, Livonia 9, Nankin 6, Salem S, Detroit I. Total 100. D-Detroit 27, Dearborn 27, Nankin II, Canton 8, Romulus 10, Van Buren 9, other towns 8, other counties 2. Total 102.
E-Detroit 87, townships 13, other counties 5. Total 105.
F-Detroit 41, Van Buren 10, Ecorse 7, other townships 23, Washtenaw County II, other counties 9. Total 101.
G-Detroit 48, Sumpter Io, Brownstown 8, Springwells 5, Huron 5, other towns 8, Ash 15, other counties 4. Total 103.
H-Detroit 53, Greenfield 5, Livonia 5, other towns 13, Clinton County 17, other counties 8. Total IOI.
I-Redford 51, Detroit 30, Nankin 7, other towns II, other counties 2. Total IOI.
K -Livonia 31, Brownstown 31, Detroit 15, Nankin 9, Huron 9, other towns 6. Total 101.
Total,
1030
46
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES.
The Twenty-fourth Michigan might have been called a regiment of relatives, as 135 of its members had brothers in it, the brothers being most frequently in the same companies. Company A had 20 brothers, C had 18, D had 20, F had 17, G had 14, H had 14 and K had 17, while numerous ones had brothers in other companies than their own. There were several cases of father and son, cousins, brothers-in-law, etc. Company H. had a father and two sons-the Steele family. There were also several cases of three brothers of one family in its ranks.
One boy was discharged by " habeas corpus " before the regiment left Detroit. Three men were not mustered, by some error. One man died and eleven deserted before the regiment left for the front. Company C was the youngest in average age and F the oldest. C also contained the greatest number (62) whose ages were between twenty and thirty years. It was the color company, one of its corporals, Abel G. Peck, being the first color-bearer.
The first man to enlist in the regiment was Corporal George W. Chrouch of D, on July 19, 1862. He had already seen service in the First Michigan ( 3 mo.) Infantry, and was wounded at Bull Run. He was also the tallest enlisted man, measuring six feet three inches. John Renton of the same company was next in height, being one-half inch shorter. D also had forty-eight men between twenty and twenty-five years, the greatest number of like ages in any company.
Company E had the greatest number (14) over forty years old. In average age G was next to the youngest company. It contained the youngest member of the regiment, Willie Young, barely thirteen years of age, who served as drummer through the war. The two youngest in the ranks who carried guns were Patrick Cleary and August Lahser of Company I. Company K had seventy-two farmers, the most of any; also the oldest man, James Nowlin, who was seventy years old. It also contained the greatest number of boys (46) who were twenty years old and under. Company C had the greatest number of American born (92), and Company E the greatest number (65) of foreign born.
DEPARTURE FROM HOME.
As the day of departure drew near, activity increased in camp. Happy he who obtained a furlough to visit home and friends once
DEPARTURE FOR THE WAR, AUGUST 29, 1862.
48
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
more. Familiar faces in suits of blue hastened about. Sad the hearths which soon will have vacant chairs. Up yonder shaded walk move two affianced hearts vowing eternal fidelity and devotion "till this cruel war is over." Blue forms bend over sleeping babes, whom the infant's eyes will never more behold. Mothers press sons to their hearts again and again, then go to their closets to pray. Fathers grasp tender hands they so often have led in younger days, try to talk in old familiar tones, and with a "God bless you," part with their sons forever !
Friday, August 29, 1862, dates our departure for the front. Knapsacks are packed, ranks formed, and at 5 o'clock in the afternoon the regiment bade farewell to Camp Barns, and keeping step to the grand music of the Union, marched down Woodward avenue, thence up Jefferson avenue to greet General O. B. Wilcox, just returned from Southern captivity, thence to the Michigan Central wharf.
From many hamlets in and out of the city had come relatives and friends to bid a last adieu. But few families there were in city or county that had not some friend or near acquaintance in this regiment, and its departure drew hard upon the hearts of the people. Thousands and thousands crowded the sidewalks and streets .. Other thousands viewed from the housetops, balconies and windows. Continuous waves of flags and handkerchiefs, and cheer after cheer saluted the ranks throughout their march. Roman emperor never had a prouder greeting than the men who, with flying colors, this day marched along
" The beautiful streets of the beautiful town That sits by the inland seas."
Thousands of anxious souls strove to bid good-bye, "just once more," by embrace, word, or glance only, to departing friends. The lines of the "May Queen," bearing Companies A, B, C, D and E, and the "Cleveland," bearing Companies F, G, H, I and K, are cast away, and the boats slowly leave the wharf with their living freights of blue. Ten thousand final farewells pass between shore and steamers, amid cheers and wavings of handkerchiefs and hats. The immense throng continued to gaze upon the receding vessels till they are lost to view, and only would they leave the wharf when the boats could be seen no more. Sadness was upon pillows in many Wayne county homes that night.
49
RAISING THE REGIMENT.
( From the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune.)
They have gone, the pride and glory of our homes, the loved and true, They have left us bowed with anguish, filled with proud rejoicing, too; For a nobler band of soldiers never passed Virginia's shore,
Than have left us soon to struggle with brave ones gone before.
They have left us, bearing with them hearts that never quail with fear; Arms that only grow the stronger as the danger draweth near. Left us? Aye! The lonely firesides many a plaintive story tell,
Waking in our hearts a struggle, which we vainly strive to quell.
Oh! Defend them, God of battles, swiftly to the rescue come; Hear the earnest prayers ascending from each lonely, stricken home. Yet the still, small voice replying, bids the warring tumult cease, And return them to our firesides, crowned with liberty and peace. *
OUR JOURNEY TO THE FRONT.
After a night of rough passage on Lake Erie, Cleveland was reached in the morning, and cars taken for Pittsburg, at which busy and smoky city we arrived before dark, after a pleasant journey through Ohio. Of our tarry here, the Pittsburg Gazette said :
The Twenty-fourth Michigan arrived in this city Saturday evening, August 30. Its soldiers are of the very best class of men, stout, hearty, cheerful, intelligent and splendidly equipped. They were marched to the city hall, where a sumptuous repast awaited them, during which Colonel Morrow made a patriotic address, thanking the committee for their kindness, and assuring them that when this war is over and the Pennsylvania regiments passed through Detroit to take Canada, their kindness would be reciprocated. He read dispatches from the seat of war, and lusty cheers were given for Pittsburg and our cause, when the regiment marched to the Eastern train.
Long will our tarry here be remembered. Nearly every man received a bouquet and a "good-bye, soldiers," from the Pittsburg girls, who seemed to fall in love with the regiment at first sight. Rings, ambrotypes, and handkerchiefs freely exchanged ownerships, and a portion of the regiment was in a fair way of being "captured," when a blast from the iron horse ended this coquetry of an hour, and our train was soon speeding for the Alleghanies and the lovely Juniata Valley.
At 9 o'clock on Sunday morning, our train arrived at Harrisburg, and was switched off for Baltimore, where we arrived at noon. Marching to the Washington depot, five regiments were ahead of us awaiting transportation. After waiting around till 3 o'clock Monday
* Written for the occasion by a lady of Redford.
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Auf 28, 1862
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ROUTE OF THE "TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN " TO JOIN THE ARMY IN 1862.
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
50
1
N
1
Pennsylvania
River
una
=
Aug. 30, 1862
Pittsburg
Allegharry
Gettysburg
york
7
E
51
RAISING THE REGIMENT.
morning, September 1, part of the time in a drenching rain, we were placed in cattle cars and started on a forty-mile ride for Washington, but, being sidetracked so often for passing trains, it was noon ere that city was reached. We filed into some barracks, called a "Soldiers' Retreat," for dinner, but a single company could have eaten the whole spread had the quality of the food admitted. This was our first experience with the outrageous army contractor who received full pay for food that would insult a hog.
Ranks were again formed, and up Pennsylvania avenue we marched, thence south to the Long Bridge across the Potomac, which leads to "Secessia." Here the regiment was halted for some time to allow a long train of ambulances to pass, containing wounded from the neighboring battle-fields. In one was the body of Colonel Horace S. Roberts, of Detroit, which produced a profound sensation in the regiment. The sight of these wounded soldiers caused the first emphatic impression of the work we had enlisted to engage in. Crossing the Long Bridge to the tune of "Dixie," we first set feet upon rebellion soil.
Lehigh GAPS
SCENE IN PENNSYLVANIA WHILE GOING TO THE FRONT.
CHAPTER III.
FIRST MONTHS OF ARMY LIFE.
ALEXANDRIA-FORT LYON.
P URSUING our march into Virginia on the evening of September I, we reached Alexandria, the quaint old town from which, in colonial days over a century before, Braddock's troops marched for the field of his fatal defeat. The city was a hot-bed of secession. . Here was the Marshal House where the youthful Ellsworth and Jackson, his murderer, met death in the same moment. Yonder was the Slave Pen from which the F. F. V's* shipped their surplus human chattels to the slave marts of the far South. But its barbarous purposes were ended forever.
Marching a couple of miles beyond this city, we climbed to the top of a high hill crowned by Fort Lyon, named in honor of the hero of Wilson's Creek. Its ponderous guns frowned down upon the secesh city below. It was now past sunset, and scarcely had the crest been reached when angry, dark clouds hovered low over our heads, soon bursting into one of Virginia's severest .rain storms, which lasted till morning. The men had neither, tents nor shelter, and they suffered greatly from the cold storm-a most severe initiation into the hardships of soldier life. And such was our first night at the front. Colonel Morrow and a few of the men found shelter in a house where General Joseph Hooker was stopping for the night. The latter had just arrived from the battlefields near by, and the two formed an acquaintanceship which continued through later experiences in army life.
CAMP MORROW-JADED TROOPS.
The next morning, September 2d, fires were built, our clothes dried upon our backs, and from our haversacks we ate our first meal in "Dixie," as the South was called. The location was named "Camp Morrow." It was customary to name regimental camps after some member, patron, friend or dead member of the regiment. At two
* First Families of Virginia,
(52)
FIRST MONTHS OF ARMY LIFE.
53
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54
HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN.
o'clock marching orders came but no start was made. Ammunition was distributed and that night we slept on our arms, or with our guns by our side, as the enemy's pickets were not far away.
The following day we saw the jaded, foot-sore and dusty fragments of the once magnificent Army of the Potomac, pass by our camp, to within the fortifications around Washington. For seventeen days had these decimated regiments been fighting and retreating before a victorious foe-men who had fought their way up the Peninsula to within sight of the Richmond spires, slept in the noxious swamps of the Chickahominy, and even among festering bodies of unburied dead men and horses, and whom we had come to re-enforce. Surely the authority that stopped enlistments the spring before, most stupidly miscalculated the necessities of the hour and scope of the war.
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