USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 33
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During November and December, 1863, this regiment was almost constantly engaged in scouting and in various expedi- tions through Northern Mississippi and Western Tennessee, visiting most of the important places in that section. It had frequent encounters with the enemy's forces under Generals Forrest and Chalmers. Engagements and skirmishes in whichi the regiment participated, occurred at Ripley, Miss., Novem-
366
MEMORIALS OF THE
ber 29th, Orizaba, Miss., November 30th, Ellistown, Miss., De- cember 3d, Purdy, Tenn., December 22d, and Jack's Creek, Tenn., December 24th. During the period mentioned the reg- iment is reported to have marched over one thousand miles. On the 1st of January, 1864, the Third arrived at LaGrange, Tenn., where it commenced building winter quarters. On the 19th of January, the required number re-enlisted, and on the 27th were mustered in as veteran volunteers. On the 29th the regiment left LaGrange for Michigan, arriving at Detroit on the 7th of February. The regiment rendezvoused at Kala- mazoo at the expiration of its furlough of thirty days, where it was joined by a large number of recruits. Leaving Kala- mazoo, it proceeded to St. Louis, Mo. It remained there nearly two months awaiting the arrival of horses, arms and equip- ments. During the greater portion of this time it was em- ployed on provost duty in the city. Although still dismounted, the regiment left St. Louis on the 18th of May, and proceeded to Little Rock, Ark., where it arrived on the 24th, and reported to Maj. Gen. Steele. It was mounted on the 1st of August, and soon thereafter became engaged in sconting through the State. It assisted in driving the rebel General Shelby beyond the Arkansas River, in dispersing the bands of guerrillas that infested the country, and captured over 800 head of cattle. The regiment is now armed with the Spencer repeating carbine, and on the 1st of November, 1864, was stationed at Browns- ville, Ark.
The regiment is in the 4th Brigade, Cavalry Division, 7th Corps. John K. Mizner, Colonel, March 7, 1862.
THIRD CAVALRY.
During the months of November, 1864, and February, 1865, this regiment constituted the garricon of the post at Browns- ville Station, on the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad, and was also occupied in scouting along the line of that road, mak- ing several expeditions as far south as Arkansas Post, on the Arkansas river, collecting large droves of cattle, and thereby furnishing nearly all the beef required for the supply of the entire army, then serving in the Department of Arkansas.
367
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
At Brownsville Station the regiment erected a complete set of winter quarters and stables, so neatly and tastefully arranged as to present the appearance of an important town, which attracted so much attention as to result in a change of its name from " Brownsville Station," to " Michigan City." The very active duty of the regiment at that time was so conducive to the health of the men, that 1,008 were daily reported present for duty, and less than three per cent. were on the sick list. Early in February the regiment was selected to constitute part of a division then being organized for active and important service in early spring, and was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 7th Army Corps, and moved to Brownsville. On the 14th of March the brigade was transferred from the Depart- ment of Arkansas to the Military Division of West Missis- sippi, to join the troops under Major General Canby, designed to operate against Mobile, and the regiment proceeded by steamer to New Orleans, arriving at Carrolton, La., March 23d, and embarked for Mobile early in April. After the fall of Mobile, it was employed on outpost duty until the surrender of the Confederate forces east of the Mississippi river, when the regiment was selected as the escort of Major General Canby on the occasion of his receiving the formal surrender of the rebel General Taylor and his army. It left Mobile May 8, and marched across the country to Baton Rouge, La., reaching there on the 22d. When Major General Sheridan assumed the command of the Military Division of the Southwest, the regiment was selected and ordered to report to him for duty, and was immediately prepared to join the expedition to Texas, and left Baton Rouge for Shreveport, June 10th, and com- menced its march into Texas from the latter place July 10th, traversing two-thirds the breadth of that State, arriving on the 2d of August at San Antonio. At that point the regiment. was stationed, performing garrison duty and employed in the necessary sconting for the protection of the frontier as far as the Rio Grande, on the Mexican border, and in furnishing escorts for supply trains. The regiment comprised a part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Military Division of the Gulf, and had its head-quarters at San Antonio until February
368
MEMORIALS OF THE
15th, 1866, when it was dismounted, mustered out of service, and proceeded, via Victoria, to Indianola, on foot, and thence by steamer to New Orleans and Cairo, where it took rail for Jackson, Mich., arriving there March 10th, and on the 15th was paid off and disbanded.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.
New Madrid, Mo., March 13, 1862. Siege of Island No. 10, Mo., March 14 to April 7, 1862. Farmington, Miss., May 5, 1862.
Oxford, Mississippi, Dec. 2, 1862. Coffeeville,
5, "
Jan. 14, 1863.
Siege of Corinth, " " 10, to 31, 1862.
Panola,
July 20,
Spangler's Mills, Miss., July 26,
Grenada,
Aug. 14,
Bay Spring, Sept. 10. ..
4 6
Byhalia,
Oct. 12,
Inka, 19,
Wyatt's Ford,
66
Nov. 29,
Hatchie, “ 66 6
66
Orizaba,
66
30,
Holly Springs, Miss., Nov. 7,
Ellistown,
66
Dec. 3,
Hudsonville. 6. 14,
Purdy,
22.
Lumkin's Mills, “ 66 29,
66
Jack's Creek,
24,
TENTH CAVALRY.
The tenth regiment of Michigan Cavalry has been raised during the year, under authority given by the War Depart- ment, to Hon. F. W. Kellogg. It was in rendezvous at Grand Rapids, and left its camp there on the first of December, for Lexington, Kentucky, with a force on its muster-in rolls of 912, and the following commissioned officers:
Thaddeus Foote, Colonel, Sept. 5, 1863; Major. 6th Cav., Oct. 3, 1862. Luther S. Trowbridge, Lieut. Col., Aug. 25, 1863; Major, 5th Cav., Sept. 2, 1862.
Israel C. Smith, Major, Aug. 23. 1863; Capt., 3d Infantry, Jan. 1, 1862. Cicero Newell, Major, Aug. 19, 1863; Capt., 3d Cav., April.1, 1862; 1st Lieut., Sept. 7, 1861.
The Tenth Cavalry left its rendezvous at Grand Rapids, on the 1st of December, 1863, for Lexington, Ky., whence it marched to Camp Nelson on the 13th. It here encamped until the 25th of January, 1864, when it moved to Burnside Point. It remained at this place from the 2d to the 29th of February, when it proceeded to Knoxville, and thence, March 16th, to Strawberry Plains. On the 24th of April, the regi- ment was ordered to proceed thence to Carter's Station, and destroy the railroad bridge over the Watauga River. Reach-
Clifton,
Brownsville, 66 Feb. 10,
13,
Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3 and 4,
Ripley,
369
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
ing Carter's Station on the 25th, after a severe engagement, it drove the enemy from a strong position occupied by them, but the rebels being posted in heavy force in fortifications on the opposite bank of the river, it was impossible to destroy the bridge without great loss of life, and the regiment was directed to retire. The casualties in this engagement were three killed, eight wounded and three missing.
On the 28th of May, 160 of the regiment engaged in a rec- onnoissance, proceeding to Bull's Gap and Greenville. En- conntering a force of the enemy, the battalion engaged and routed them with severe loss, killing and wounding a large number, and capturing 26 prisoners and a number of horses and mules. During the month of July and the early part of August, detachments of the regiment were constantly engaged in scouting and pursuing small bands of the enemy in East Tennessee. On the 23d, the regiment took port in an engage- ment with a rebel brigade, at Blue Springs, and after a sharp fight, assisted in forcing the enemy from a strong position and in driving them in confusion through Greenville. The casual- ties of the regiment were six wounded, two of whom died of their wounds. Having moved through Rogersville, Bean's Station and Bull's Gap, the regiment returned to Strawberry . Plains on the 31st. During its absence, on the 24th, the de- tachment, numbering 60 men, left in garrison, with abont 150 from other commands, were attacked by the rebel cavalry corps under Wheeler, numbering from 6,000 to 8,000 men, with nine pieces of artillery. The Union troops made a successful de- fense against this force, and thus saved the post from capture, and the great railroad bridge from destruction. Eight men held the ford for three hours, and prevented a rebel brigade from crossing, and surrendered only after they were surrounded. Three men were wounded during the day. On the same day (24th), the detachment left at Knoxville, charged a rebel reg- iment (11th Texas), near Flat Creek Bridge, and ronted it, cap- turing its colonel and other prisoners, but coming suddenly on one of the enemy's cavalry divisions in line of battle, it retired. The enemy pursued, and succeeded in recapturing their men and in taking a number of prisoners from the detachment. On
24
370
MEMORIALS OF THE
the 4th of September the regiment participated in the surpris- ing and routing of Gen. John H. Morgan's forces at Green- ville. In this engagement, Gen. Morgan was killed and a large mumber of his men captured, among whom were Morgan's staff. On the 30th of September, the regiment assisted in driving the enemy from their position at Carter's Station. During this month it was constantly engaged in scouting and in pursuing the forces of Morgan and Wheeler. In October. it was employed in picket and in scouting.
The regiment is in the 2d Brigade, 4th Division, 23d Corps, Army of the Ohio. Its officers are as follows:
Luther S. Trowbridge, Colonel, July 25, 1864; Lt. Col., August 25, 1863: Major 5th Cav., September 2, 1862; Lieut. Colonel; Majors, Israel C. Smith, Cicero Newell, John H. Standish.
This regiment was stationed at Strawberry Plains, in East Tennessee, Nov. 1, 1864, engaged in fortifying that point and in the usual routine of camp duty and occasional scouting. On the 16th. Gen. Breckinridge, with a large rebel force, made his appearance in front of the garrison, and on the 17th com- menced a vigorous attack with artillery from the opposite side of the Holston river, and at the same time threatening it in the rear with a heavy cavalry force. Constant skirmishing and occasional artillery firing was kept up for four days, the enemy being repulsed on the 24th, when he withdrew. During the remaining portion of the month and up to Dec. 6th, the regi- ment was employed in constructing fortifications at that point. when, on the receipt of orders, marched to Knoxville, and soon after made an expedition to Saltville, Va., and destroyed the salt works at that point, being engaged with the enemy at Kingsport, December 12th; at Bristol, December 14th, and at Saltville, December 20th. Returning to Knoxville, it had a skirmish at Chucky Bend, January 10th, 1865. Remaining at Knoxville until March 21st, the brigade to which it was attached marched to upper East Tennessee, under the command of Bre- vet Brig. Gen. Palmer. Joining the expedition under Gen. Stoneman, in his raid into North Carolina, the regiment was engaged with the enemy at Brobson's Mills on the 25th, and
-
371
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
at Boonville, N. C., on the 27th. Proceeding via Wilkesboro, and thence down to Yadkin river, in the direction of Salisbury. reaching the Tennessee and Virginia railroad at Christians- burg, April 5th, it assisted in destroying over one hundred miles of that railroad, together with the bridges. This accom- plished, the regiment made a rapid march of ninety-five miles. to Henry Conrt Honse, making the distance in twenty-two hours. At that point it became engaged with a superior force of the enemy's cavalry and infantry on the Sth, which, after a brisk fight, retired, the regiment losing in the affair Lient. Kenyon and three men, killed, and one officer and three men severely wounded, the loss of the enemy not being ascertained. Next morning the regiment moved sonthward, destroying the railroad and bridges north of Salisbury, at Abbott's creek, on the 10th, encountering a superior force at that point, consist- ing of cavalry and infantry, which, after a very obstinate con- test of three hours, retired. It was also engaged at High Point on the same day. During the day the main body of the command captured Salisbury, and destroyed a large amount of stores. The regiment was then ordered to proceed along the Catawba river, and was employed in picking up bands of rebel cavalry while endeavoring to make their escape, and was en- gaged in skirmishes at Statesville on the 14th, and 'at Newton on the 17th. Information having been received of the surren- der of Johnston, the regiment commenced a scout for the pur- pose of intercepting Jefferson Davis, who was then supposed to be making his escape in some direction; but soon after it was ordered to proceed via Stevenson, Ala., to Tennessee, where it served until November 11th, when it was mustered ont of service, at Memphis, and returned to Michigan, arriving on the 15th at Jackson.
The reports of the operations of this regiment being very meagre and indefinite, it is presumed that much of the services rendered by it are not covered by the foregoing sketch, as it is known to have been very actively employed.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISHIES.
House Mountain, Tenn .. Jan., 1864. | Rheatown, Tenn., Mar. 24, 1864. Bean's Gap, Tenn., Mar. 26, 1864. | Jonesboro, 25,
372
MEMORIALS OF THE
Johnsonville, Tenn., Mar. 25, 1864. [ Rogersville, Tenn., Aug. 27, 1864.
66 Watanga 66 26, - Bull Gap,
Powder Spring Gap, Tenn .. Apr. 28, 1864.
Dandridge, Tenn., May 19, 1864.
Greenville, 66 66
30,
White Horn, 66 ،،
31
Morristown,
June 2,
Bean's Stat'n,
66
17,
Kingsport, 66
66
18,
Chucky Bend, Tenn., Oct. 10, 1864. Newport, - 66 18, ..
New Market,
21,
Moseburg, 66
23,
Will'ms Ford,
25,
Morristown, Nov. 20, 66
Dutch Bottom,
. 6
28, 66
Strawberry Plains, Tenn., Nov. 25, 24, 1864.
Newport,
8,
Morristown, Greenville,
Aug.
3,
4,
Saltville, Va., Nov. 20, 1864.
Mossy Creek, 66
66
18,
Chucky Bend, Tenn., Jan. 10, 1865.
Bull Gap, : 6
21,
Brabson's Mills, " Mar. 25,
Blue Spring,
66
23,
Henry Ct. House, Va., April 8, 1865.
Abbott Creek, N. C., 10,
66
High Point,
66
66 10,
06
14,
Newton,
66
17,
66
SECOND BATTERY (ROSS').
The Second Battery organized in this State, was raised at Grand Rapids, in connection with the Second Cavalry. It left, the State on the 17th of December, 1861, clothed and mounted, but without guns. The battery was at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, April 6, and was cut off from its infantry support by the enemy's cavalry, losing four of its six pieces, and sixty officers and men taken prisoners. The remaining section has since been connected with a Missouri battery, but the com- pany has recently recruited with good success, and has been ordered into the field again in Western Tennessee, where it will soon have, if it has not already been supplied with, a new battery of guns. Its officers are:
William H. Ross, Captain, January 26, 1862; Albert F. Arndt, 1st Lieut., January 26, 1862; Cuthbert W. Laing, 1st Lieut., July 4, 1862; Edward B. Wright, 2d Lieut., August 28, 1862; Bronson C. Meddaugh, 2d Lieut., Au- gust 28, 1862.
THIRD BATTERY (DEES').
This battery, raised in connection with the Third Cavalry,
29,
Greenville,
Sweet Water,
.. Sept. 4,
10,
Thorn Hill, 16 66 10, 66
Sevierville,
66
18,
Jonesboro,
60
20,
Johnson Station, Tenn., Oct. 1, 1864.
Watanga Bridge, Tenn., Oct. 1, 2, 1864.
Cany Branch, 66
20
Irish Bottoms,
25, Madisonville,
66 30,
Sevierville,
July 5 .
Kingsport, Tenn., Dec. 12, 1864. Bristol,
66 14,
Boonville, N. C., March 27, 1865.
Greenville,
23,
66
Strawberry Plains, Tenn., Aug. 24, 1864.
Flat Creek Bridge, Tenn., Aug. 24, 1864.
Statesville, 66
16,
Rogersville,
373
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
left its rendezvous at Grand Rapids, December 17th, 1861. It was engaged in the siege of Corinth, May, 1862, in the battles at Iuka, September 17th and 19th, and aided in the repulse of the enemy at Corinth, October 14. It has lost by deaths from disease, thirteen; death from wounds, one; discharges, fifteen ; desertions, four; missing in action, three. Its force on the 30th of November, was 108. It is now in West Tennessee. and its officers are:
George Robinson, Captain, November 20, 1862; Carl A. Lamberg, 1st "Lieut., Dec. 6, 1861; William H. Sinclair, 1st Lieut., July 15, 1862; - -, 2d Lieut. ; - , 2d Lieut.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.
Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 6, | Cave Springs, Ga., Oct. 13, 1864. 1862.
Siege of Corinth, Miss., May 10 to 31, 1862.
Turkey Ridge, Ala., Oct. 26, 1864. Griswold, Ga., Nov. 22, 1864. Ogeechee River, Ga., Dec. 8, 1864.
Corinth, Miss .. October 3, 4, 1862.
Resaca, Ga., May 9. 1864.
Lay's Ferry, Ga., May 14, 1864. Calhoun Ferry, Ga., May 15, 1864.
Rome X Roads, 16, 66
Savannah, Ga .. Dec. 11 to 20, 1864. Salkehatchie River. S. C., Feb. 6, 1865. Columbia. S. C., Feb. 15, 1865. Cox's Bridge. N. C., Mar. 20. 1865. Bentonville, N. C., Mar. 21, 22; 1865.
THIRTEENTH BATTERY.
This battery was organized at Grand Rapids, and was mustered into the United States service on the 20th of Jan- uary, 1864, with 160 names on its rolls. It left Grand Rapids February 3d, and arrived at Washington, D. C., on the 7th of that month. It went into camp near Washington, where it was employed in perfecting itself in drill until the 14th of May. It was then ordered to Fort Slemmer, D. C. During the remainder of the year the battery was stationed at Fort Slemmer, and in other fortifications in the neighborhood of Washington. On the 11th and 12th of July, 1864, it assisted in the defense of Fort Stevens against the attack of the rebel Gen. Early's forces. On the 1st of November, the battery was at Fort Sumner, Md.
The battery was in the 1st Brigade, Harden's Division, 22d Corps, Army of the Potomac. Captain, Charles Dupont.
In 1863, neither of the Grand River counties was subject to the draft, their quota being filled by volunteers.
374
MEMORIALS OF THE
GRAND RIVER VALLEY IN 1846.
We will now pass over ten years, and attempt a portraiture of the Grand River Valley in 1846. This will show the ad- vance that had been made-that it had not been rapid.
The first years of flush excitement had brought several thousands into the Valley; the crash that followed had driven many of them away. Speculation had been rife; but land and lots had lost their fanciful value. Immigration had nearly ceased; and everything was stationary. 1846 was in that time, when hope had nearly died out, and when real estate was scarce considered property.
Improvements-and some of them great ones-had been made, but in almost every case they had ruined those who had invested their capital. The fact was, at the start there was too much enterprise-a throwing away of capital in works that should have awaited their demand. In attempting to do business where there was not the business to do, the capital was snuk. Abram S. Wadsworth had bankrupted himself in developing water-power; and Daniel Ball the same, by run- ning good steamboats, when only the cheapest craft would pay. Lucius Lyon had sunk a fortune in developing various inter- ests too soon. And the natural consequence of the whole was, a general abandonment of enterprises begun, and the begin- ning of no new ones. Discouraged, some of the leading spirits had withdrawn; and capital, seeking investment, was not to be found.
1846 is again selected as the time when expectation was at its lowest point, and values at a minimum. Those who had tried before to do business, had been ruined. If remaining, they were struggling to place themselves again on their feet. In the few following years, hope revived; business improved; im- migration and settlement increase 1, and the dark days were over.
375
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
The attempts of the young State of Michigan to go too fast had ruined her credit at the East. Her name was in bad odor; her soil was decried, and she was passed by by those who sought homes for themselves, or for a chance to invest their money. Of late, the State had been taking more judicious measures to revive and sustain her credit as a State. The wild-eat system of banking had given place to a better system. The Eastern public had been disabused as to the worth of Michigan lands, and immigration was taking that direction. An examination of the census reports will show that from about this time, the course of the State has been steadily on- ward.
The Grand River Valley had its full share in this improved condition of things; and its progress since has been steady and great.
At this time the most of the towns in Ionia and Kent were organized, and several in Ottawa. A reference to the census of 1845 will show the strength of occupation-1,200 people in Ottawa Co .; 217 in Muskegon; 6,049 in Kent, and 5,101 in Ionia.
Comparing these eensns returns, and deducting the villages of Grand Rapids, Plainfield and Wyoming, from Kent; Ionia, Portland and Lyons from Ionia; and Grand Haven from Otta- wa, it will be seen that the land was most occupied in Ionia county, and but sparsely settled in Ottawa.
Several of the towns in Ionia Co., had quite the air of thriv- ing farming regions. North Plains, Otisco, Keene, Easton, and Berlin, easy to subdue, had in a great measure been sub- ned, and were largely represented by "farmers " in contradis- tinction from " settlers." Settlements had been pushed into every town.
In Kent county, there was more of a village population, and farmers were searce. There were some farms in Wyoming. Paris, Grand Rapids, Walker and Plainfield, that had lost the air of newness. But in general, the occupants of the land were what were then called "settlers;" that is, men who own their land. and have made some improvement. These were pushing their clearings; and most of them were raising enough for
376
MEMORIALS OF THE
themselves, and something to sell. A surplus of wheat was raised, and some wool. Saw mills were on a good many of the streams, and lumber was sent to Chicago and Wisconsin.
But there was absolutely nothing that could be done at a living profit. Lumber would sometimes pay expenses and sometimes not. That sold to settlers and at home would pay. That sent off was apt to be sold because the lumbermen must raise some money. Sent down the river to Grand Haven, it might bring $5 per M .- often less. Lumbering was poor business; and most of those engaged in it were doing business because they could not get out of it. As an illustration: in 1847, we passed a large lumber pile on the bank of the river, which a gang of men were putting on scows, to send down the river. The owner was superintending the work; and while so doing, his curses of the pile were loud and deep. We, with our blandest smile, offered to take the "cursed pile" off his hands. He said, "I will give you $3,000 to take it with its responsibilities." We did not then invest in lumber.
Wheat would sell for 50 cents a bushel; flour, for $2.75 or $3.00 a barrel; pork and beef, $2.50 to $3.00 per hundred. It can readily be seen that neither the lumberman nor the farmer could make money. They were trying to live, and were living on the hope of better times. Money was hard to compass. It was easy enough to get something to eat. Wages of laborers were fair, if something besides cash could be paid. Provisions were cheap and abundant; but to get a little money for taxes. groceries, etc., the settlers were obliged to sell wood. It was almost pitiable to go into the streets of Grand Rapids, and see the teams, standing there with loads of wood. One dollar a cord would be thankfully received for hickory wood, which had been drawn five or six miles. But we need not pity these men too much; they were not poor. They had their land, and every year was widening their clearings. Their cattle were multiplying, and they were getting rich. Then their labor went into permanent investment. They had but little for present use, but they were laying the foundation of the inde- pendence they now enjoy. They had the land which to-day, with their improvements, is wealth.
377
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.
We will now look at Grand Rapids as it appeared in 1846; then, as now, the chief town in the Grand River Valley.
It was emphatically "a story and a-half village," with a population of 1,500, mostly on abont fifty acres of land. Taking the region enclosed by Fulton street on the south, Divi- sion street on the east, Bridge street on the north, and the river on the west, we have all that had the appearance of a village. A few scattering houses were ontside, on Bostwick's Addition, and on the west side of the river. Several very good resi- dences were on Fulton street, east of the limits given; and far out of town, Mr. Bostwick had his cosy home, fitted up with admirable surroundings, at what always should be called, as now, the "Bostwick Place." The extreme house at the northeast was at the corner south of the Central School House. The buildings, with very few exceptions, were of wood; the residences, and a good part of the business places, a story and a-half high. The buildings, whether for residences or busi- ness, were simple structures, for use and not display. The exceptional buildings were five stone stores and two brick ones on Monroe street, two stone blocks or double stores up Ca- nal street, near Bronson ; two stone stores at the foot of Monroe street, where now is "Campan Place." To these we may add the wing of the Rathbun House, the residence of Mr. Turner, on the west side of the river; and the Alma House, on Bron- son steet. There were besides, seven small brick or stone houses. The residences are still standing; the business blocks, with the exception of the Rathbun House and the store east of it, have either been destroyed by fire or pulled down, to give place to more pretentious structures.
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