Allegan County, Michigan - Second and Third Infalftky., 1880

Second and Third Infalftky.

Formation of the Second Infantry - Battle of Bull Run - In Kentucky - In Mississippi - Siege of Knoxville - Re-enlistment - Off to Virginia - The Campaign of the Wilderness - Muster out - Members from Barry County - Members from Allegan County - The Third Infantry - Representation from Barry and Allegan Counties - The Regiment at Bull Run - Steadiness of its Brigade - Praise of the New York Tribune - Winter-Quarters - Gallantry at Williamsburg - At Fair Oaks - Prince de Joinville's Encomium - Through the Seven Days' Fight^Second Bull Run - At Chaneellorsville - At Gettysburg - Sent to New York - Back to Virginia - The Mine Run Campaign - In the Wilderness and Subsequent Fights - Non-Veterans sent Home - Veterans and Recruits formed into a Battalion - Consolidated with the Fifth Infantry - Call for Men in July, 1864 - Raising the New Third Infantry - It goes to Alabama - Back to Murfreesboro' - Depots - Faulkner's Brigade - The Regiment goes to Texas in 1865 - Stays there till 1866 - Mustered out in May - Barry County Officers and Soldiers - Allegan County Officers and Soldiers.

Second Infantry

» During the civil war Allegan County received credit for twentyone hundred and seventy-five men, and Barry for sixteen hundred and twenty-seven. This is more than can be found in the reporU of the adjutant-general of the State, but the discrepancy is principally due to the fact that re-enlisting veterans were credited to the county twice, while their names appear in the reports but once. A number of men, also, served in the navy whose names do not appear in thereports. The credits also include those drafted men who, in the first months of the draft, were allowed to pay three hundred dollars each in lieu of personal service, though of course they are not represented on any rolls. A few names were also, doubtless, omitted from the reports, in spite of the energy and fidelity of Adjt.-Qen. Robertson, on

Second And Third Infantry

State, rendezvoused at Detroit, and was mustered into the United States service May 25, 1861. With an aggregate force on its muster-rolls of one thousand and thirteen men, commanded by the brave Col. Israel B. Richardson,* it left Detroit, June 5, 1861, and at once proceeded to the seat of war on the Potomac.

The Second participated in the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and was one of the few regiments that did not become thoroughly demoralized as a result of that engagement (see history of the Third Infantry). From that time until March, 1863, it shared in all the victories and defeats of the Union arms in Virginia. It was then transferred to Kentucky, where it remained until June, when, with Gen. Parke's division of the Ninth Army Corps, it reinforced Gen. Grant at Vicksburg. With Sherman at Jackson, Miss., it lost heavily. From Mississippi it rereturned to Kentucky, and in September, 1863, marched vid Cumberland Gap to Knoxville, Tenn., where, under Gen. Burnside, it took part in all the severe fighting incident to the siege of Knoxville, losing one-half its efiective strength.

A large number of its remaining men re-enlisted in December, 1863, and returned home on furlough. From Mount Clemens, Mich., the regiment returned to Virginia in May, 1864, arriving in time to plunge into the Wilderness and bear its share on that hotly-contested field. Thereafter, at Spottsylvania, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, and in all the other principal engagements which culminated at Appomattox, the Second was an active participant.

It was mustered out of service at Delaney House, D. C, July 28, 1865, and arrived at Detroit, Mich., for final pay and disbandment, August 1st of the same year.

reports and the " Red Book of Michigan" have been closely examined, surviving soldiers of the various regiments have been consulted, and in many cases items have been added derived from the personal information of the gentleman who, under the direction of the general historian, compiled these military sketches. That gentleman, Mr. J. S. Schenck, was formerly adjutant of the Sixteenth Illinois, and served nearly three years side by side with several of the Michigan regiments whose exploits he has here narrated. It is intended that the sketches of the various regiments shall bear some proportion as to size to the number of men from these two counties in them.

It may be proper to add here that during the Mexican war Samnel Brown, Jr., Henry Starring, Franklin H. Heath, Silas S. Price, and Chester Boss, of Allegan County, served in Capt. F. W. Curtenius' company in the First Michigan Infantry of that period; the two men last named dying in the service. C. J.

* Col. Richardson was a native of Vermont, and a, graduate of West Point. He served in the Mexican war, and attained the rank of major. He was made brigadier-generiil of volunteers in September, 1S61, promoted to the rank of major-general soon after, and met his death at the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, while commanding a division.

Charlps J, Bobinson, disch. at end of service, Jan. 26, 1865. George Sogers, missing in action at Jackson, Miss., July 11, 1863. Samuel B. Wilson, disch. for disability, Feb. 3, 1865.

Company K. Moses Boyden, disch. at end of service, Jan. 7, 1864. Thomas M. Ellsworth, disch. at end of service, Nov. 16, 1863. Estes Rorke, disch. at end of service, Nov. 10, 1863. John 0. Stewart, disch. at end of service, Jan. 7, 1864.

Company I. David S. Buck, missing in action at Savage Station, Va., June 29, 1862. Martin Crane, veteran, Dec. 31, 1863 ; missing in action near Petersburg, Va.,

Oct. 27, 1864. James Carruthers, disch. at end of service, June 22, 1864. Clark Conrad, veteran, enl. Dec. 31, 1863. George B. Myers, disch. at end of service, June 22, 1864. Nathan A. Tanner, died of wounds at Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1863. George P. West, disch. for disability.

Thied Infantry

The Third Regiment of infantry, which was recruited during the month of May, 1861, mainly from the counties of Allegan, Barry, Clinton, Easton, Gratiot, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Ottawa, had its rendezvous at Grand Rapids.

It was the first regiment organized in this portion of the State, the second mustered for three years, and the third to take the field from Michigan. Barry County was represented by about a hundred and fifty men,f scattered through all its companies except I, while Allegan's representation was divided among companies A, C, E, F, I, and K.

Having upon its muster-rolls the names of one thousand and forty officers and enlisted men, the regiment left Grand Rapids on the 13th of June, 1861, and proceeded directly to the seat of war on the Potomac. It was soon after assigned to the brigade commanded by Col. Israel B. Richardson, and first met the enemy at Blackburn's Ford, Va., July 18, 1861. Three days later Richardson's brigade was enaasred in that famous conflict, the first battle of Bull Run. To show that the Michigan regiments then and there gave evidence of the material composing them, we need but cite the New York Tribunes account of that battle, from which the following is an extract :

" I was told that a few regiments besides the three faithful ones of Blenker's brigade had come in in fair order, and that they were the Second and Third Michigan and the Massachusetts First, of Richardson's brigade."

Gen. McDowell also stated that " Richardson's troops were the last to leave the field." When the defeated and almost disbanded Union army fell back on Washington, Richardson's brigade served as rear-guard. It maintained its position at Centreville Heights until the morning of July 22d, and when all detachments and stragglers had passed to the rear, it deliberately took up the line of march to Washington, where it arrived in perfect order.

To this brigade was then assigned the duty of guarding Bailey's Cross-Roads and picketing other highways leading from Rebeldom to Alexandria and Washington. After assisting in the construction of the defenses of Washington, the Third went into winter-quarters near Alexandria, Va., where it remained until March, 1862, when it moved with McClellan's army to the Peninsula.

At the battle of Williamsburg, fought on the ^ 5th of May, 1862, Berry's brigade* of Kearney's division moved, through mud and rain, to the front at double-quick, formed line under fire, and, immediately charging a superior force of the enemy, recaptured a lost position and artillery, and did not stop until the enemy was dislodged and beat back from his own position to the plains below. In regard to this fight, a Tribune correspondent said : " By confessions of rebel prisoners, eight hundred of Berry's men, mostly of Michigan regiments, drove back sixteen hundred of the enemy."

At Fair Oaks, on the 31st of May, the Third particularly distinguished itself. Its commander. Col. Stephen G. Champlin, was severely wounded, and the gallant Capt. Samuel A. Judd was killed. The total losses of the regiment in this action were thirty men killed, one hundred and twentyfour wounded, and fifteen missins.

"As at 'Williamsburg, Kearney comes to re-establish the fight. Berry's brigade of this division, composed of Michigan regiments and an Irish battalion, advances firm as a wall into the midst of the disordered mass which wanders over the battle-fleld, and does more by its example than the most powerful reinforcement."

The Third was also engaged at Savage Station and Peach Orchard, June 29, 1862 ; Glendale (or Charles City Cross- Roadis), June 30th ; Malvern Hill, July 1st ; and Groveton (or Second Bull Run), Aug. 29, 1862. In the latter battle it lost twenty men killed, besides a large number wounded and missing. Proceeding from Edward's Ferry, Md., vid Warrenton and Falmouth, Va., to Fredericksburg, Va., the regiment was engaged at the latter place Dec. 13, 1862, losing nine men wounded. At Chancellorsville, on the 1st, 2d, and 3d of May, 1863, it sustained a loss of sixty-three men, killed, wounded, and missin"-.

On the 11th of June the regiment began a toilsome march vid Centreville, Va., Edward's Ferry, and Frederick City, Md., to Gettysburg, Pa. The roads were dusty, the heat was intense, and the men sufiered terribly. At Gettysburg, on the 2d and 3d days of July, 1863, the Third again dealt staggering blows to the cohorts of treason, sustaining a loss on its side of forty-one men, killed, wounded, and missing. Having followed the enemy to Williamsport, it marched thence to Harper's Ferry, crossed the Potomac at that point, and moved forward to Manassas Gap. On the 17th of Augu,st, 1863, the regiment proceeded to Alexandria, Va., and from there to New York City, whither it had been ordered to aid in the preservation of the public peace and the keeping down of a mob duritjothe then pending draft. Remaining there some days, it proceeded up the Hudson to Troy, N. Y., where it was stationed two weeks. It then returned to its brigade in the Army of the Potomac, arriving at Culpepper, Va., Sept. 17, 1863.

On the 26th of November, 1863, the regiment took part in the Mine Run campaign, engaging the enemy on the 27th at Locust Grove, and on the 30th at Mine Run. With the army it returned to Brandy Station December 2d, having lost during the movement thirty-one men in killed, wounded, and missing.

One hundred and eighty members of the regiment reenlisted as veterans Dec. 23, 1863. They received a thirty days' furlough, and at the expiration of that time returned to their comjnand.

From December, 1863, until the beginning of May, 1864, a season of inactivity prevailed. On the 4th of the latter month the Third crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, advanced to Chancellorsville, and during the three following days was in the midst of the terrific battle of the Wilderness, sustaining a heavy loss. It was also engaged at Todd's Tavern on the 8th and at Spottsylvania on the 12th, where it participated in the successful charge of the Second Army Corps. At the North Anna River it again encountered the enemy. May 23d and 24th. The Pamunky River was crossed on the 27th, and the advance continued toward Cold Harbor. During this month of continuous fighting the regiment sustained a loss of thirty-one men killed, one hundred and nineteen wounded, and twenty-nine missing.

At Cold Harbor, on the 9th of June, 1864, the regiment, with the exception of the re-enlisted men and such as had joined since the original organization, and certain designated officers, was ordered home for the purpose of being discharged. The remaining officers and men - some three hundred and fifty in number - were formed into a battalion of four companies, and attached to the Fifth Michigan Infantry. The order consolidating these regiments was confirmed by the War Department June 13th, and on the 20th day of June, 1864, the old Third, which had been one of the first to take the field in defense of the government, was formally mustered out of the United States service.

THIRD INPANTKY (NEW). In addition to the hundreds of thousands gone before, on the 18th of July, 1864, the President issued his proclamation calling upon the loyal States for five hundred thousand more men. Volunteers from the several States were to be accepted for one, two, and three years, as they elected. Michigan's quota under this call was more than eighteen thousand, of which twelve thousand had to be recruited or drafted. Governor Blair determined to raise six new regiments of infantry, viz., the Third, Fourth, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first, or one in each . Congressional district, and in pursuance of this plan issued his proclamation on the 21st of July, 1864. On the 29th of the same month orders were issued to reorganize the Third Infantry, and to Col. Moses B. Houghton (formerly lieutenant colonel of the old organization) was intrusted the charge of raising the new regiment. Grand Rapids was named its place of rendezvous, and the Fourth District its field for recruiting.

The exigencies of the service did not permit the complete organization of all these regiments before the enforcement of the impending draft (Sept. 5, 1864), and seven sompanies, which had been raised for the Thirtieth at

Pontiac, were distributed between tbe Third and Fourth, four companies going to the former and three to the latter, and the organization of the Thirtieth was abandoned.

The Third, thus reinforced, completed its organization at once (October 15th), and, being mustered in with eight hundred and seventy-nine officers and men, left camp for Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 20, 1864, going thence to Decatur, Ala. It remained at Decatur - having meanwhile a skirmish with the enemy at that point - until November 25th, when it was transferred to Murfreesboro, Tenn., and ordered to duty at Fort Rosecrans.

On the 7th of December, while Gen. Milroy was engaged at the Cedars with the principal part of Forrest's rebel command, Faulkner's rebel brigade of mounted infantry made a dash on the picket-line at Murfreesboro, drove in the guard, and gained possession of the town. After a spirited engagement of an hour's duration, four companies of the Third, together with an equal number of companies of the One Hundred and Eighty-first Ohio, with a section of artillery, repulsed the rebels and pursued them two miles.

The regiment remained at Murfreesboro and its vicinity until Jan. 16, 1865, when it was moved to Huntsville, Ala., and assigned to the Fourth Army Corps. On the 31st of January it was ordered to Eastport, Miss., and proceeded as far as Nashville, Tenn., when, the order being counteri^anded, it returned to Huntsville, remaining there until the middle of March. With its brigade it then marched to East Tennessee, occupying successively positions at New Market, Bull Gap, and Jonesboro', where it was employed in pursuing, capturing, and driving off the numerous guerrilla bands infesting that region. The Third was ordered to Nashville, Tenn., on the 20th of March, arrived there the 28th, and on the 15th of June, 1865, with its corps, proceeded by rail from Nashville to Johnsville, Tenn. ; thence by. steamers down the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, arriving on the 5th of July. After a short delay the regiment proceeded in vessels to Indianola, Texas, and thence it marched to Green Lake. On the 12th of September it started out for Westei^ Texas, and, after a fatiguing march of fourteen days' duration, it reached San Antonio. During the following winter two companies were on duty at Gonzales. Early in the spring of 1866 the entire regiment was ordered to Victoria, Texas, and was there mustered out of the service, May 26, 1866. Marching to Indianola, it took steamers to New Orleans, going thence vi& the Mississippi River to Cairo, 111., whence it was transported by railway to Detroit, Mich. It arrived there June 10, 1866, and was soon after paid off and discharged.

Company C. Capt. Israel S. Goer, com. Dec. 26, 1861 ; wounded and taken prisoner at Wilderness, May 6, 1864; must, out Sept. 21, 1864. Jacob T. Bipley, died of disease at Andersonville prison, Ga., July 12, 1864. Jacob Broepplie, missing at Mine Run, Ya., Nov. 30, 1863.

H, Aug. 6, 1862. Musician James L. Reed, disch. May 24, 1862. Mathew Bain, disch. for disability. George W. Bugbee, disch. for disability. Fob. 17, 1865. James G. Birdsall, disch. by order, Sept. 1, 1863. Cornelius BarkhuflF.

Alonzo H. Bennett, must, out May 30, 1865. Thomas Burke, must, out May 27, 1866. Daniel E. Birdsall, veteran, enl. Dec. 23, 1863. Samuel B. Cook, disch. for disability. George Decker, must, out June 28, 1865. Washington Ferris, disch. for disability. D. W. Foster, died of wounds at Portland, June 17, 1862. Franklin Green, trans, to 6tli Inf.

Company F. James R. Dexter, disch. for disability, Aug. 8, 1861. Samuel S. Garrison, disch. at end of service, June 20, 1864. John Oberly, disch. for disability, Jan. 14, 1863. Timothy Fenders, disch. for disability, Nov. 12, 1863. Epbraim Parsons, must, out May 8, 1865. Owen F. Palmer, veteran, enl. Dec. 24, 1863. Isaac Walker, disch. for disability, Feb. 7, 1863.

1864. Edward Bugbee, died of disease at Yorktown, May 3, 1862. ^Yilliam Buck, disch, for disability, Dec, 4, 1862, Henry H. Bailey, disch. at end of service, June 20,1864, Austin Dibble, disch, for disability, July 18, 1862. Charles "W. Feber, disch. at end of service, June 17, 1864, Oscar Gaines, disch, to enlist in regular sei-vice, Dec. 17, 1862, Jonathan Kellogg, trans, to Vet, Res. Corps, Jan, 15, 1864. Jonathan Kelly, trans, to Vet. Res Corps, Orange McClnre, veteran, enl. Dec, 24, 1863, Mortimer Millard, dibcfa, at end of service, June 20, 1864. Lorenzo W. Payne, disch, for disability, Jan, 9, 1863. Jacob S. Pickle, died of disease at Washington, D, C, Sept. 17, 1861. William Parrisb, must, out July 5, 1865. Heman Parrisb, veteran, enl. Dec. 24, 1863. Cody M. Reed, disch. to enlist in regular service, Nov. 29, 1862. Alfred H. Slocum, disch. for disability, June 20, 1862. Charles H. Sanford, died in action at Chancetlorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Warren Wilkinson, disch, at end of service, June 20, 1864.

Company C. Musician John B. Champion, disch. Feb. 28, 18G2. Theo. Castor, trans, to 5th Inf., June 10, 1861; must, out Sept. 4, 1865. Christian Pleigden, disch. for disability, Nov. 20, 1861. John P. Scheidt, disch. for disability, Nov. 20, 1861. Valentin Schaeffer, disch. for disability, June 20, 1861. Anton SteflBos, disch. for disability, Feb. 23, 1862. Thomas Schneider, died of disease at Baltimore, July 19, 1863. Jos. A. Schuler, disch. at end of service, June 20, 1864. Peter Wagner, disch. for disability, Oct. 1, 1861.

Company E. Edward T. Webster, died in action at Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Harvey Wilson, disch. for disability, July 29, 1861. Samuel F. WoOlman, died May 30, 1864, of wounds.

Company J. Wm. n. Campion, disch. for disability, November, 1862. Nelson J. Davis, died in action at Seven Pines, Va., May 31,1862. Edward R. Gohle, died in action at Seven Pines, Va., May 31, 1862. Sylvester Gay, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, July 1, 1864. Alfred M. Gardner, disch. for disability, Dec. 31, 1862. Perry Goshom, disch. for disability, Nov. 17,1862. Josiah E. Huff, died of disease, Nov. 18, 1861. Lonson Hill, died in action at Seven Pines, Va., May 31, 1862, Albert Hamlin, disch. for disability, Nov. 21, 1862. Calvin Hall, veteran, enl. Dec. 24, 1863 ; must, out July 5, 1865. Jerome Kibbee, disch. for disability, Dec. 9, 1862. John McDonald, disch. for disability, Oct. 1, 1863. Joseph L. Paney, disch. at end of service, June 20, 1864. Jas. Reeves, disch. for disability, Aug. 7, 1802. John Simpkins, died in action at Seven Pines, Va., May 31, 1862. Willard Sweet, veteran, enl. Dec. 24, 1863; trans, to 5th Inf. ; must, out July 5, 1865.

Company K. John Felton, died in action at Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Wm. H. Harvey, trans, to 5th Inf. ; must, out June 8, 1865. Edwin Nickerson, trans, to 5th Inf.; must, out June 9, 1865.

Infantry

Bayliss T. Sweezy, died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., June 1 6, 1865. Anthony B. Wisner, died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., April 17, 1865. Philip A. West, must, out July 11, 1865. William H. Watts, must, out May 25, 1866.