Allegan County, Michigan - Foueteenth, Sbvebtteeiirtn, and Itinbteewth Iweawtet, 1880

Foueteenth, Sbvebtteeiirtn, and Itinbteewth Iweawtet

The Fourteenth goes to Northern Mississippi - Brigaded for the War - Arduous Service in Tennessee - The Long Combat from Dallas to Atlanta - The March to the Sea - Throigh the Carolinas - Muster out - Allegan County Members - Barry County Members - The Gallant Seventeenth - Company D, from Allegan and Barry - Off to the War - Attacking the Enemy - Brilliant Success-Heavy Loss - Battle of Antietam - Through the Winter in Virginia - Under Grant in Mississippi-Back to Kentucky - With Burnside to East Tennessee - The Campaign of the Wilderness - Hard Fight at Spott.sylvania -Engineer Duty - Subsequent Services - Muster out - Members from Allegan County - Members from Barry County - Organization and Departure of the Nineteenth Infantry - On Duty in Kentucky- Transferred to Army of the Cumberland-Ordered to Franklin, Tenn. - The Brigade on a Reconnoissance - Attacked by Seven Brigades of Cavalry-A Long and Desperate Fight-The Enemy again and again repulsed - Ammunition exhausted - New Rebel Forces appear - Unionists compelled to surrender - Exchanged and Reorganized- Services in Tennessee - Captures a Battery at Resaoa - Its Colonel killed - Averysboro' and Bentonville - The Close - Allegan County Officers and Men - Members from Barry County.

Fourteenth Infantry

Feb. 13, 1862, and left for the seat of war in Northern Mississippi on the 17th of April following. At Hamburg Landing, Miss., it was assigned to Gen. Pope's Army of the Mississippi, and joined a brigade made up of the Tenth, Sixteenth, and Sixtieth Illinois Infantry, and the Tenth and Fourteenth Michigan Infantry, of which it was composed during the remainder of the war, except that the Tenth Illinois gave place, in July, 1864, to the Seventeenth New York.

After the retreat of Beauregard from Corinth the brigade was employed in various duties in Northern Alabama and Mississippi until ^September, 1862, when, with Gen. J. M. Palmer's division, it marched to Nashville, Tenn., and assisted to hold that place while Buell was advancing toward Louisville, Ky. After Gen. Rosecrans assumed command of the Department of the Cumberland, and marched his forces from Kentucky to the relief of Nashville, Palmer's division was transferred from the Army of the Mississippi to the Army of the Cumberland, and thereafter the regiments composing it operated in the Department of the Cumberland. The Fourteenth performed arduous service until the close of the war. It served as mounted infantry in Tennessee from September, 1863, until the spring of 1864, when it re-enenlisted, and after the usual veteran furlough rejoined its brigade at Dallas, Ga., June 4, 1864. It then participated in all the movements of the Army of the Cumberland until the fall of Atlanta. On the 16th of November, with the brigade, it moved southward from Atlanta on the march " through Georgia," assisted in the capture of Savannah, and thence, in January, 1865, with its command, - viz., First Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, - proceeded northward through the Carolinas. At Averysboro' and Bentonville, N. C, the brigade particularly distinguished itself. (See history of Thirteenth Infantry.) After the surrender of Johnston the command marched to Washington, D. C, via, Raleigh and Richmond. It passed in review at the National capital, May 14th, and on the 13th of June proceeded, vid the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to Parkersburg, W. Va. ; going thence by steamer to Louisville, Ky., where it was mustered out of the service on the 18th of July, 1865. It arrived at Jackson, Mich., on the 21st, and on the 29th of the same month was paid off and disbanded.

Membees Of The Foubteenth Infantry Fbom Allegan

MEMBEES OF THE FOUBTEENTH INFANTRY FBOM ALLEGAN CODNTY. Company A. M. D. Hulenberg, must, out July 18, 1865. Eli P. Spaulding, must, out July 18, 1865.

This gallant command, celebrated as the " Stonewall" regiment of Gen. Wilcox's division of the Ninth Army Corps, was organized at Detroit Barracks, in the summer of 1862, by State Inspector-General James E. Pittman, Its original commanding officer. Col. William H, Withington, was commissioned Aug. 11, 1862, and on the 21st of the same month the regiment was mustered into the United States service for three years. Company D embraced a large majority of the members of the regiment fron) Allegan and Barry Counties.

Under the command of Col. Withington, the regiment left its rendezvous on the 2'7th of August, 1862, and proceeded directly to Washington. Scarcely had it arrived at that place when it was assigned to Gen, Wilcox's division, and in less than three weeks from the time of leaving Michigan its members were gallantly battling for their country at South Mountain.

On the evening of the 13th of September the regiment marched from Frederick City, Md,, - where it had bivouacked the night before with the rest of the Ninth Army Corps, - over the National turnpike in the direction of South Mountain, and about midnight rested for a few hours not far from Middletown. Before daybreak of the 14th Middletown was passed ; the base of the mountain being reached about nine o'clock a.m. The enemy was found in force on each side of a gap, holding each crest of the mountain, and strongly posted behind stone fences and other available shelter, with his batteries in commanding positions enfilading the main road. The regiment was then ordered to advance up the Sharpsburg road.

This movement was executed in common by the whole of Wilcox's division, which proceeded far up towards the crest of the mountain and moved to the support of a section of Cook's battery, which had been sent up to open on the enemy's guns on the right of the gap. The division was about to deploy, when the rebels suddenly opened at two hundred yards with a battery, throwing shot and shell, killing several in the regiment, and driving back the battery ; the cannoniers of which, with their horses and limbers, rushed back through the ranks of the infantry, causing a temporary panic among some of the troops, that might have resulted in the loss of the guns had the enemy taken advantage of it.

The Seventeenth promptly changed front under a heavy fire, and moved out with the Seventy-Ninth New York to protect the battery, lying in line of battle until nearly four P.M., exposed to a severe fire from Drayton's brigade of South Carolina infantry, posted in its immediate front. Being unable to reply to this fire, and having become impatient and anxious to advance, the order to charge upon the enemy was received with enthusiastic cheers. The regiment, being on the extreme right of Wilcox's division, moved rapidly forward through an open field upon the enemy's position, under a terrific storm of lead and iron from the stone fences in front and the batteries on the right ; then, with cheer after cheer, sent up in defiant answer to the peculiar rebel yell, the Seventeenth gallantly advanced to within easy musket-range without firing a shot. It then opened a murderous fire upon the enemy, and, steadily advancing the extreme right of the regiment, it swung round, obtaining an enfilading fire upon the rebels intrenched behind the stone walls. Unable to withstand this destructive fire, the enemy broke in confusion, and the left of the regiment charged over the walls with shouts of triumph, pursuing the fleeing remnants of Drayton's command over the crest and far down the mountain slope, gaining and holding the key-point of the battle-field. The splendid valor and extraordinary coolness of the raw recruits of the Seventeenth in this engagement gave the regiment much celebrity, and this conflict has since been mentioned in history as one of the most brilliant achi'evements of the war. The regiment sufi"ered severely at South Mountain, having twenty-seven officers and men killed and one hundred and fourteen wounded. Three days later, at Antietam, it was again hotly engaged, sustaining a loss of eighteen killed and eighty-seven wounded.

Afler following Lee's defeated army through Northern Virginia, and campipg for a while at Falmouth, the regiment crossed the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg, but did not participate in the battle of that place. It remained in the Army of the Potomac through the winter, but in the spring was ordered to Kentucky. After a short stay in that State, it proceeded with the Ninth Army Corps to Mississippi, and joined Gen. Grant. It was stationed at Haynes' Blufi" and Milldale, and was slightly engaged before Jackson on the 10th of June.

It soon returned to Kentucky, and moved thence with Burnside's army into East Tennessee. It took part in numerous movements and counter-movements for which tlie forces in East Tennessee became famous, and on the 16th of November was acting as the rear-guard of the army, which was falling back towards Knoxville. While it was crossing Turkey Creek, near Campbell's Station, the enemy attacked in force, and a sharp engagement followed. The Seventeenth, with its brigade, steadily covered the rear of the army, having twenty-six officers and men killed and wounded during the fight.

That night the whole Union force moved into Knoxville, and from then until the retreat of the enemy, on the 4th of December, the regiment was busily engaged in the defense of that place, sufi'ering greatly from want of rations, but gallantly performing its duty. After the defeat of the Confederates, the marching up and down the Tennessee Valley

Fourteenth, Seventeenth, And Nineteenth Infantry

On the 20th of March, 1864, the regiment set out with the Ninth Corps from Knoxville, and marched over the Cumberland Mountains to Nicholasville, Ky., whence it moved at once to Maryland.

With the same corps the Seventeenth passed through the great campaign of 1864. It was sharply engaged in the Wilderness on the 6th of May, having forty-siK men killed and wounded. At Spottsylvania, on the 12th of May, the regiment charged gallantly on the rebel works, but was surrounded by a superior force in the dense woods, and had twenty-three killed, seventy-three wounded, and ninetythree taken prisoners, out of two hundred and twenty-five engaged. So small a squad remained for duty that on the 16th of May it was detailed for engineer service, though still retaining its regimental number.

It served throughout the winter of 1864-65 either in this capacity or as provost-guard. During the Confederate attack on Fort Steadman, however (March 25, 1865), the Seventeenth advanced as skirmishers, drove back the enemy's skirmishers, and captured sixty-five prisoners. After the capture of Petersburg and the surrender of Lee the regiment moved north to Washington, set out for Michigan on the 4th of June, 1865, reached Detroit on the 7th, and Was forthwith paid ofi' and discharged at the latter place.

County

MEMBERS or THE SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY FROM ALLEGAN COUNTY. Fldd and Staff. Surg. Abram R. Calkins, Allegan ; com. June 26, 1862; reu. Oct. 14, 1862.

Henry Xomlinson, killed in action at South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862. Benj. Ward, killed in action at South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862. Martin White, must, out July 18, 1865.

out. Musician Jas. C. Leggett, Allegan; enl. Aug. 9, 1862; must, out June 3, 1865. Herbert W. Lonsbury, Allegan ; killed in action at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.

Company I. Hiram Bushnell, died of wounds. Samuel Buchanan, must, out June 3, 1865. Alfred Cook, must, out June 3, 1865. Oliver P. Carmen, mu-t. out June 3, 1865. Levi B. Davis, must, out June 3, 1865. Jas. Hibberdine, must, out June 3, 1865. Geo. Kitchen, disch. for disability, Nov. 3, 1862. David V. Lily, died in action at South Monutain, Sept. 14, 1862. Frederick Leonard, disch. for disability, Jan. 1, 1S63. James V. Orton, must, out June 3, 1865.

Onnpany D. 2d Lieut. David L. Morthland, Barry ; must, out as sergt., June 3, 1865. Sergt. Wallace H. Scovllle, Johnston ; disch. for disability, Feb. 26, 1863. Musician James Goodman, Hastings; disch. by order, Sept. 16,1862. Andrew E. Breese, disch. for disability. David Brotherton, must, out June 3, 1865. .Talo W. Convin, must, out June 3, 1865. Charles W. Convin, must, out June 3, 1865.

Zenas S. Clark, died of disease at Newport News, Va., March 17, 1865. Charles D. Cowles, disch. for disability, Jan. 30, 1865. Charles Dickinson, disch. for disability, Oct. 25, 1864 Hector M. Dodge, must, out June 3, 1865.

David Eldridge, died in action at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1865. W. S. Hinckley, disch. for disability, April 10, 1863. Daniel Hoffman, disch. for disability, Jan. 6, 1863.

William H. Hoffman, died of disease at Washington, D. C, Nov. 28, 1862. Martin Moore, killed in action at South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862. Herman W. Manford, trans, to navy. John P. Manning, must, out June 3, 1865.

A. Palmatier, killed in action at South Mountain, Md., Sept. 14, 1862. Nathan F. Powers, died of disease at Big Spring Hospital, Oct. 28, 1862. Harlan A. Poor, killed in action at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. William W. Seebore, disch. for wounds received, Sept. 14, 1862. Charles Shoemaker, must, out June 3, 1865.

Compdny H. William H. Godsmark, disch. Deo. 31, 1862. Jerome M. Lampman, disch. for disability. May 17, 1864. Martin Mallet, disch. for disability, Jan. 4, 1865. Isaac Vantyle, must, out July 3, 1865.

Nineteenth Infantry

The Nineteenth Regiment of infantry was recruited during the summer of 1862 from the counties of Branch, St. Joseph, Cass, Berrien, Kalamazoo, Van Buren, and Allegan, Company B including within its ranks a large majority of those from the latter county. The regimental rendezvous was at Dowagiac, Cass Co., where the regiment was mustered into the United States service on the 25th of August, 1862.

On the 14th of September following, under the command of Col. Henry C. Gilbert, the Nineteenth proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to Nicholasville, Ky., and later, towards the close of the year, to Danville, Ky. It was first assigned to duty with the Fourth Brigade, First Division, Army of the Ohio, which brigade, on the formation of the Department and Army of the Cumberland, was transferred to that army as part of the Reserve Corps. The regiment moved from Danville early in February, 1863, and reached Nashville on the 7th, proceeding thence to Franklin, Tenn.

Immediately after, Col. Coburn's brigade, consisting of the Nineteenth Michigan, Thirty-Third and Eighty-Fifth Indiana, and the Twenty-Second Wisconsin Regiments of infantry, numbering fifteen hundred and eighty-seven men, strengthened by two hundred men of the One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Ohio Infantry, with detachments of three regiments of cavalry, about six hundred strong, and a full battery of artillery, moved out from Franklin on a reconnoissance in force. After a march of about four miles the enemy's outposts were encountered, but they retired before the Union skirmishers, and the brigade bivouacked there for the night.

History Op Allegan And Barry Counties, Michigan

column found the enemy in force and strongly posted, at Thompson's Station, nine miles from Franklin. At the point where the railroad crosses the turnpike the rebels opened fire on the forces of Col. Coburn, who immediately formed his men, and ordered a section of the battery to occupy a biH on the left of the road, sending the Nineteenth Michigan and the Twenty-Second Wisconsin to support it. The Thirty-Third and Eighty-Fifth Indiana, with the other guns of the battery, took position on a hill at the right. The enemy had two batteries posted on a range of hills three-fourths of a mile in front and south of the position occupied by Coburn 's troops. The Indiana regiments made a demonstration on the left of the enemy, to draw him out or charge his batteries, as circumstances might dictate. This movement was made under a most galling fire from the enemy's batteries, and when the position was reached two entire brigades of dismounted rebel cavalry were disclosed strongly posted behind stone walls and other defenses.

As it was found impossible to advance farther under the severe and incessant fire, these regiments were ordered to return to their former position on the hill, supported by a squadron of cavalry ; but for some unexplained reason the cavalry failed to occupy the supporting position, as intended. No sooner had the two regiments commenced to fall back than they were pursued by two rebel regiments, firing rapid volleys into the retiring Union force, which was at the same time under fire from the enemy's artillery.

But as soon as they reached the hill the Indianians turned upon their rebel pursuers and drove them back on the run ; killing Col. Earlc, of Arkansas. The enemy rallied, charged desperately, and was again handsomely repulsed ; but it soon became evident that Col. Coburn's command had here encountered the entire cavalry force of Bragg's army, eighteen thousand strong, consisting of brigades commanded respectively by Gens.. Forrest, Wheeler, French, Armstrong, Jackson, Crosby, and Martin, all under the command of Gen. Van Dorn.

The enemy, under Forrest, then advanced on the position occupied by the Nineteenth Michigan and its companion regiment, the Twenty-Second Wisconsin. At the time the attack was made the section of artillery posted with these regiments hurriedly left its position, and at the same time three companies of the Wisconsin regiment, with their lieutenant-colonel (Bloodgood), abandoned the field without orders, moving ofi' by the left flank, and joining the retreating Union cavalry and artillery. The Nineteenth Michigan and the remainder of the Twenty-Second Wisconsin, however, bravely poured in their fire, and held their assailants at bay fully twenty minutes.

Forrest, checked in his advance, made a circuit to the east with his whole force, beyond the ground occupied by Col. Coburn, with the intention of turning his (Coburn's) left flank. The Nineteenth and Twenty-Second were then moved to the west side of the turnpike, leaving the Thirty-Third and Eighty- Fifth Indiana to protect the southern acclivity of the hill. The four regiments had scarcely formed in line behind the crest when Armstrong's rebel brigade charged from the east and the Texans from the south. The battle now became terrific. Three times the enemy charged gallantly up the hill, and thrice was he forced back with severe loss. In one of these charges the colors of the Fourth Mississippi were captured by the Nineteenth Michigan.

The fighting became still more desperate. The enemy, having gained possession of the hill on the east of the road, was sweeping the Northern ranks with canister, and, bravely as the Union troops fought, it soon became evident that the struggle was hopeless. Their ammunition was nearly exhausted, and Forrest, who had already cut them ofif from Franklin, was advancing on their rear. Col. Coburn faced his command to the north to repel this new danger, and thus Forrest was held in check until the Union men had expended their last round of ammunition. Then the brave band fixed bayonets, determined to charge through the enemy's lines and escape; but just then it was discovered that still another line lay in reserve, and still another battery opened on them from an unexpected quarter. Escape was now hopeless, and to avoid a further and useless loss of life the command surrendered. Col. Gilbert had had his horse shot under him in the early part of the fight, and throughout all the fierce engagement had borne himself most gallantly. When he offered his sword to the Confederate commander the latter declined to receive it, with the remark that " so brave an officer, commanding so gallant a regiment,* deserves to retain his arms."

A part of the Nineteenth had escaped capture at Thompson's Station. This small body, with those who had been left in camp at Franklin, were sent to Brentwood, organized with the remaining fragments of the brigade, and placed under command of an officer of another regiment. This force was surrendered to the rebel general Forrest on the 25th of March, 1863, without the firing of a gun. The enlisted men were soon paroled and sent North ; the commissioned officers were exchanged on the 25th of May following.

The regiment was reorganized at Camj) Chase, Ohio, and on the 8th of June, 1863, left Columbus to engage once more in service at the front. It reached Nashville on the 11th, and fronf that time was employed in ordinary camp and picket duty until July, when it formed a part of Rosecrans' column advancing on Tullahoma. The regiment was ordered back to Murfrecsboro on the 23d of July, to do garrison duty in the fortifications at that point and along Stone River, where Company D was captured on the 5th of October by a rebel cavalry force, under Gen. Wheeler. After having been plundered, the men were released on parole.

About the last of October the Nineteenth was ordered to McMinnville, Tenn., where it remained engaged in the construction of fortifications and similar duty until the 21st of April, 1864, when it was ordered to join its division and march with the strong columns of Sherman into Georgia. It reached Lookout Valley on the 30th, and moved forward with the army on the 3d of May, being then in the Twentieth Army Corps. Moving by way of Buzzard Roost and Snake Creek Gap to Resaca, it was, with its brigade, desperately engaged in the battle at that place on the 15th ; on which occasion it gallantly charged and captured a battery of the enemy, afterwards holding the position against all efforts to retake it. It was in that charge that Col. Gilbert received the wound from which he died at Chattanooga, on the 24th of May. The total loss of the Nineteenth in killed and wounded was eighty-one.

The regiment was also engaged at Cassville, Ga., on the 19th of May, at New Hope Church on the 25th, at Golgotha on the 15th of June, and at Gulp's Farm on the 22d of June ; having in these engagements eighty-three officers and men killed and wounded. Joining in the pursuit of the enemy after his evacuation of the position and works at Kenesaw Mountain, the Nineteenth, then under command of Maj. John J. Baker, crossed the Chattahoochie and took part in the battle of Peach-Tree Creek, on the 20th of July, in which its loss was thirty-nine killed, among the latter being its commander, Maj. Baker. During the remainder of the siege of Atlanta the regiment was constantly on duty, much of the time under artillery-fire ; its loss during that time being eight killed and wounded.

In the early days of November, 1864, the Nineteenth was quartered ia the city of Atlanta, and on the 15th of that month moved with its brigade (the Second of the Third Division, Twentieth Corps) on the storied march to Savannah ; taking an active part in the siege of that city, until its evacuation on the 21st of December. It remained near Savannah until Jan. 1, 1865, when, with the companion regiments of its command, it moved across the Savannah River into South Carolina. It crossed the Pedee River at Cheraw on the .2d of February, arrived at Fayetteville March 11th, assisted to destroy the arsenal and other public buildings at that place, and moved thence toward Raleigh. On the 16th the enemy was found in heavy force at Averysboro'. Here the Second Brigade was ordered to assault the works, and carried them with great gallantry, capturing the guns and a large number of prisoners, the loss of the Nineteenth being nineteen in killed and wounded. During the battle of Bentonville, on the 19th of March, the regiment stood in line of battle, but was not engaged.

From Bentonville the regiment moved to Goldsboro', arriving there on the 24th of March, and then marched to Raleigh. Here it remained until the war was virtually closed by the surrender of Johnston's army. Then, with its corps, it faced northward and marched through Virginia to Alexandria, where it arrived on the 18th of May. Six days later it marched with the bronzed and battered veteran's of Sherman's army, on the 24th of May, through the streets of the national capital. From that time it remained in camp near Washington till June 10th, when it was mustered out of the service and ordered to Michigan. Covered with honor, the men of the Nineteenth returned to Jackson, and were there paid off and discharged, on or about the 15th of June, 1865.

Pascal L. Austin, died in action at Thompson's Station, Tenn., March 5, 1863. William Anderson', disch. for disability, Jan. 10, 1865. James Billings, disch, for disability, March, 1863, Hurvey Bell, disch. for disability, Juno 22, 1863.

Jerome Green, died of disease at Annapolis, Md., March 3, 1863. Leander S. Goff, died in prison at Richmond, Ya., March 3, 1863. John H. Howard, died of disease at Cincinnati, Ohio, November, 1862. John'Hogle, must, out June 15, 1865. Charles H. Hogeboom, must, out June 15, 1865. Martin M. Jones, died of wounds at Louisville, Ky., July 18, 1864. Isaac M. Kinney, died of disease at Danville, Ky., Feb. 10, 1863. Joel R. Kuper, died of disease at Nasliville, Tenn., March, 1863. Stephen Knapp, disch. for disability, March 27, 1865. Thomas R, Kincaid, must, out June 10, 1865, Egbert KlufTman, must, out June 15, 1865. Neil Livingston, must, out June 10, 1865. Garrett Lohies, must, out June 10, 1865. Alfred Leonard, died of disease at Nashville, March, 1863. W. Merchant, died of disease at Annapolis, March, 1863. James Mclntee, died of wounds at Columbia, Tenn., April 20, 1863. Donald McLeod, disch. for disability, Oct. 6, 1864. William Manchester, trans, to 10th Inf. James H. Martin, must, out June 15, 1865. George A. Martin, must, out June 10, 1865. Lawrence Montague, must, out June 10, 1865. Eldridge Morris, must, out June 10, 1866. Thomas McCormick, must, out June 10, 1865. Carlton Norton, must, out June 10, 1865. Henry Noble, must, out June 10, 1865. Francis C. Newton, trans, to luth Inf.

John B. Nelson, died of disease at McMinnville, Tenn., March 20, 1864, Stephen Ostrander, must, out June 22, 1865. Harvey Pullman, must, out June 10, 1865.

Members From Barry Countv

Hiram Rodgers, died of wounds at Chattanooga, Tenn., July 21, 1864. George H. Snyder, trans, to Vet. Rpb. Corps. John W. Snyder, trans, to lOtli Mich. Inf. Henry Smith, trans, to 10th Mich. Inf. Walter Searles, must, out July 15, 1865.

Company F. William H. Allen, died July 20, 1864. Mylon Angel, must, out June 10, 1865. David N. Griffith, must, out June Id, 1865. John B. Nichols, must, out June 10, 1865. Thomas Pennock, disch. for disability, July 1, 1863. Austin Smith, died of disease at Annapolis, Mi., April 1, 1863. David Searles, trans, to 10th Mich. Inf. James Searles, must, out June 10, 1805. Otis P. Taller, must, out June 10, 1865.