Bay County, Michigan - Chapter 15, 1905

War Of 1812 Black Hawk War Mexican

Bay County has had among its citizens, veterans of all wars since the second war with Great Britain. Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, one of our earliest pioneers, served with distinction in the battle of the Thames, War of 181 2, and in the Black Hawk War, when he commanded a company of veteran Indian fighters, organized by Governor Porter. John JMiller, a veteran of the War of 1812, came in 1855 as one of the first settlers of jMerritt township, where he lived to be 91 years old. The late John Grattan Sweeney, ex-sheriff, served in the Sixth United States Infantry in the Mexican War, and on the Indian frontier from 1849 to 1855. John Duschene, a respected German pioneer of Bay county, aged 89 years, is Bay county's sole survivor of the Mexican War.

Civil War

Atlantic to the Pacific, the fire was kindled that burned the fetters which bound a human race, and through four years of deadly strife and the blood of thousands of heroes the dividing line of "Dixie's Land" was wiped away forever, until today there is indeed "no North, no South." The first public utterance among the handful of settlers in Bay County was James G. Birney's stirring appeal for the down-trodden slaves of the South on Independence Day, 1842. His was no idle flight of oratory. He had practiced the liberation he now preached, and this sire of Bay City may well stand with William Lloyd Garrison on history's undying pages, as a worthy champion of humanity :

What wonder, then, that this frontier settlement should have rallied so nobly for the refense of liberty and unity, during the dismal years of the Civil War! The children of 1842 were the young men of 1861-65, and the nobla precept and example of James G. Birney, the outcast from his native heath and self-denying

The records of the office of the Adjutant General of Michigan show that Bay County during those four years sent 511 soldiers forth to battle, of whom 83 died in service, while many more gave up their young lives after being mustered out, from wounds and sickness, before peace again came to bless our land. When we find that the Federal census of i860 gave Bay County a population of but 3.164 men, women and children, we can more readily appreciate the sacrifices of men and monej' made by this community, that our nation might live, one and indivisible. Five hundred and eleven, volunteers, out of a population which at no time during those years reached 5,000, these are historic figures of which we may well be proud, and that speak more eloquently of patriotic devotion than aught else could do. Eighty-three names engraved forever upon the heroic records of a grateful republic. Alas, how soon their names are forgotten at home, how long and how well preserved in the halls of state.

One may search through all the early annals of this county, without finding a single connected record of these 5 1 1 citizens who went bravely forward at Lincoln's call for volunteers. Here and there appear isolated records, like beacon-lights on dark waters, but no attempt has aparently been made to preserve the names of those who went out from this county at their country's call, nor do we know the names of those who died at their post of duty. Here and there in the disconnected sketches of pioneers we find a name worth preserving.

Gen. Benjamin F. Partridge, born in Shelby, Michigan, April 19, 1822, came to Bay City in 1854, where he engaged in lumbering and surveying. When the Civil War broke out, he was sheriff of Bay County, and later recruited men for the i6th Michigan Infantry, being commissioned ist lieutenant of Company I, in March, 1862. In three years he rose through all the intermediate grades to colonel commanding this regiment ; was wounded in the neck in the battle of Peeble's Farm, and in March, 1865, was breveted brigadier-general. Wounded in the head at Quaker Road, he still remained in command of his brigade through General Grant's final campaign, from Petersburg to Appomattox Court House, where his brigad^ received 28 of the 71 tattered battle-flags captured by the Union Army. His brigade took part in the Grand Review in Washington. He commanded seven regiments at Louisville, Kentucky, until July, 1865, when his brigade was honorably mustered out. The i6th Michigan participated in 54 engagements and battles. General Partridge being in all but two of them, when he was in hospital. Pre-eminently a Michigan and Bay County product, he is a shining example of the patriot of 1861, who when the cruel war was over went back to the duties of civil life here at home with the same energy and devotion that had marked his volunteer service.

Col. Henry S. Raymond, who died in Detroit in 1904, came to Bay City with his father. Col. H. Raymond in 1849. In 1862 he was mustered in as captain of Company F, 23rd Michigan Infantry, the first complete company raised in Bay City and by successive promotions in the next three years attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

Samuel ]\Iaxwell, brother of the late Judge Andrew C. Maxwell, went into the army among the first from Bay City, just after he had been admitted to tlie bar here ; served four years, and in after years became judge of the Supreme Court of Nebraska.

River, often heard James G. Birney's plea for liberty and equality to all, when as a boy he played among the well-kept vines of the Birney cottage, and he sealed the determination of his boyhood, to see justice done, with his life at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain in Sherman's famous "^March to the Sea," while charging a battery at the head of his company. He had been previously wounded and suffered much in Rebel prisons after being found on the battlefield by the enemy.

Such were the men and their heroic deeds and such were the sacrifices of many thousands who sank down to nameless graves, the individual lost in turmoil of strife, but their collective achievements in defense of human liberty and human rights live on forever.

In the shady grove at Pine Ridge Cemetery stands the plain granite monument, commemorating the services of our "Boys in Blue," and the appreciation of those services by posterity. Grouped about it, side by side as in life and war, lie the veterans who have answered the last long roll, while scattered through every other cemetery of Bay County lie other veterans in family plats.

Among those who enlisted from Bay County and have passed away, we find the names of G. A. VanAlstine, Company L, First Alichigan Engineers, 1862-65, wounded in the Wilderness, taken to Andersonville Prison, where he suffered until the close of the war, returning home in June, 1865, after all his loved ones had long ago given him up as dead in a nameless grave. Alonzo B. Freeland, Second Michigan Infantry, 1861-64, wounded at Petersburg. Samuel Benson, Third Michigan Cavalry, serving unscathed, 1861-65. J. S. Fox, First ]Michigan Infantr}?, 1861-65, \vounded at Savage Station, spent six months in Rebel prisons and one year in hospital. John M. Schucker, Second ?ilichigan Cavalr

Gettysburg ; he was a pioneer who came here in 1853 and his widow still lives and remembers his grave on each Memorial Day. Maj. Newcomb Clark, lieutenant, 14th Michigan Infantry; promoted major, 102nd United States Infantry, Colored, 1861-65. Capt. Albert W. Watrous, Fifth United States Infantry. Leonard Jewell, born in 181 5, who came to Bay City in 1844, did not allow his age to deter him from serving his country, as in 1862 he enlisted in Company A, 14th Michigan Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was the oldest recruit from Bay County. Charles W. Dease, Company D, loth Michigan Infantry, 1861-65. \V. E. Carney, 15th Michigan Infantry, 1863-65. Horace B. Mix, Company C, United States Engineer, Veteran Corps, wounded at Vicksburg, in hospital 11 months, served to the end of the war. Daniel Hughes, First Mounted Rifles, 1862-65. Charles A. Vosburg came here in 1853; he was a member of Company D, loth IMichigan Cavalry, 1862- 65 ; Gabriel Widmer, First United States Engineers, 1864-65. William Stewart, Second Michigan Infantry, 1861-64, lost a leg at Spottsylvania Court House. Capt. B. W. Merrick, Company E, Fifth Michigan Infantry, shot in the shoulder at Fredericksburg, spent five months in hospital and served to 1865. Eugene Burr, Company C, 30th Michigan Infantry, 1864-65. B. McBrookins was the law partner of the late Judge Andrew C. Maxwell here ; when war broke out he enlisted and died in service. William Catlin, Company A, Fifth Michigan Infantry, enlisted in 1861, was wounded in the Shenandoah campaign, and died January 18, 1865. George E. Aiken was in the shoe business here, when he heard the call for duty; he served with Battery D, First Michigan Light Artillery, 1861-65. Henry Fenton, 17th Michigan Infantry, 1862-65, later register of deeds for Bay County, died in 1904.

John Friebe, for nearly 40 years an industrious citizen of Bay City, typified the worldwide spirit of devotion to liberty and equality. His German ship, on which he served as sailor, hailing from Reugen, happened to be in Wilmington, Delaware, when Fort Sumter was fired on. He could speak no English, and it was not his country's fight. Yet that quiet, peace-loving foreigner promptly enlisted in the First Delaware Infantry, served faithfully to the end of the war, w'as wounded several times, and took part in over 40 engagements, including Gettysburg. He died in January, 1905, and on the coming Memorial Day his green grave will be accorded the same loving attention he himself extended for so many years to his comrades that had gone before. L. H. Griffin, for many years in the laundry business here, was among the first to enlist, serving in the First Michigan Cavalry, 1861-66, as orderly sergeant. W. H. Lynch was too small to shoulder a musket, so he became drummer in the First United States Infantry, was captured at Chancellorsville and spent more than a year amid the horrors of Andersonville and Belle Isle prisons.

H. C. Meyers enlisted in the United States Navy in 1861, but salt water did not agree with him. so in 1863 he enlisted in the nth Michigan Cavalry, serving until 1865. Lieut. John W. Shearer passed through 36 battles and engagements with the Second Michigan Infantry, 1861-65. Benno A. Katthain, 14th ^Michigan Infantry, 1862-65, was for 30 years piano tuner here, (lying in 1904. The memory of Hon. James G. Birney, the liberator, was well honored by his grandson and namesake, Capt. James G. Birney, oldest son of Hon. James Birnev, who served through the war with the Seventh Michigan Infantry, and died on the Indian frontier in 1869, while serving with United States troops.

Hundreds sleep in our cities of the dead, whose achievements in war and peace equal and perhaps surpass these isolated service records, but these will suffice to preserve for the perusal of their surviving comrades, and as an indication to posterity of the character and service of the veterans we delight to honor.

Equally instructive and worthy of commemoration are the service records of some of our most prominent citizens. Hon. James A. Van Kleeck, department commander of Michigan's G. A. R., 1900-01, served with Company D, 17th Michigan Infantry, known as the "Stonewall Regiment." He was wounded at Antietam and lay among the dead on that bloody battlefield until the next day; he was then carried into a field hospital arranged in a nearby church, where for eight long months he hovered between life and death, and to this day he suffers continually from the wounds sustained at Antietam. It is the current comment of his comrades in arms, that Comrade Van- Kleeck holds the Michigan record for continuous church attendance, which the popular veteran acknowledges might be true, eight months under the belfry being a rather long devotion.

Ma j. Lyman G.Willcox, national commander of the National League of Veterans and ' Sons, recruited Company B, Third Michigan Cavalry, and served with marked distinction to the end of the war, being mustered out with the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel. Dr. Henry B. Landon, who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1861, promptly enlisted in the Seventh Michigan Infantry as adjutant, and was wounded in the battle of Fair Oaks. Recovering, he again went to the front as army surgeon, serving until the brunt of the fighting was over in 1864. Judge George P. Cobb served with the Fifth ^Michigan Cavalry, 1863- 65. Dr. W. E. Vaughn rendered splendid service as army surgeon, 1862-65. J- W. Knaggs enlisted as private in Company A., Fourth Michigan Infantry, was wounded at Malvern Hill, losing an arm. After lying seven days upon that bloody battlefield, he was taken prisoner by the Rebels, confined in Libby Prison, later exchanged, and taken to Bellevue Hospital, New York City, until his wound had healed in 1863. :Maj. E. B. Nugent rose from the ranks in the Third Michigan Cavalry, through meritorious service, 1861-65. Lieut. H. H. Norrington at the age of 16 joined the famous Loomis Battery in 1862, participated in 32 engagements, was wounded at the battle of Stone River, taken prisoner and later exchanged. He received his commission on recommendation of General Reynolds for carrying dispatches through the enemy's lines, after six previous attempts had failed. George W. Butterfield, in 1905, national treasurer of the Letter Carriers' Association, enlisted in Company B, 22nd ]\Iichigan Infantrv, in 1862; was later transferred to the Signal Corps, rendered distinguished service as wig-wagger for Generals Rosecrans, Thomas, Sherman and Grant, participating in all the campaigns of the West, being present at the surrender of General Johnston and the Confederate Army.

Henry Schindehette, for many years deputy United States marshal here, served with the 24th Michigan Infantry, 1862-64, ^vas wounded in the hip at Gettysburg, lay eight months in hospital, and to this day suffers from that injury. J. Fred Whittemore served in the Third Michigan Cavalry, 1862-65, was prominent in the lumber industry here in later years, and died in 1904. Chief of Police N. N. Murphy won his spurs in the loth New York Artillery, 1862- 65. Fred W. Barclay left his tug on the Saginaw River to serve in "Uncle Sam's" navv.

1863-65. Lafayette N. Brown, the dean of Bay City's mail carriers, and the "Uncle Sam" of all public occasions, his figure, feature and chin whiskers being the real "Uncle" counterfeit, served with the Seventh Michigan Infantry, 1861-65. James A. McKnight and Henry FI. Aplin served in the i6th Michigan Infantry, 1862-65, and George A. Allen in Company A, lOth Michigan. Inf., 1861-65. -^^^ three came here when peace returned, and for 40 years have been prominent in the affairs of the West Side. Oliver H. Irons, 23rd Michigan Infantry, lost his eyesight through wounds, and in 1905, after 40 years of sightless existence, is still a public-spirited and cheerful citizen, enjoying the most liberal pension on the local rolls, as a slight remembrance of the gratitude of the country he served so well and for which he gave so much. Justice of the Peace W. E. Callender served with the Sixth United States- Cavalry in 1861-62, later being promoted captain of the Ninth Battery, Veteran Artillery, 1863-65. Truman Rundel, Company H., 23rd Michigan Infantry, was wounded at Nashville, and suffered for 1 1 months in hospital. John C. Rowden, respected pioneer of Auburn, was with Company F, 23rd Michigan Infantry, and was wounded at Franklin and Alatoona Pass. His neighbor, Henry W. Hopler, served side by side with him, 1862-65, being in every engagement of his company. Augustus Horn,- Company E, 22nd Michigan Infantry, 1862-65, was wounded in the collar-bone at Chickamauga. George A. Schultz was among the first to volunteer from here, serving with Company K, Second Michigan Cavalry, 1861-65. Luman S. Harris. loth Michigan Infantry, was permanently disabled at the bloody battle of Shiloh. William Maxon served in the loth Michigan Cavalry, 1861-65.

Cooke, 148th New York Infantry, wounded at Petersburg, suffering from that bullet in the chest to this day : Dr. Robert W. Erwin, Lieut. H. F. Emery, Capt. Orrin Bump, Lieut. E. T Carrington, Lieut. j\l. M. Andrews, Lieut. H. E. Meeker, Capt. George E. Turner, prominent since the close of the war in Bay City's material welfare and prosperity, are today honored members of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, membership in itself being a living testimony of valiant service.

Hon. Chester L. Collins just elected circuit judge; Larry McHugh, Dr. H. B. Hulbert, Dr. C. \Y. ]Maxon, Capt. Richard Armstrong, O. F. Kellogg, J. N. Syrmeyer, James McCabe, Ex-Sheriff Benson Conklin, H. P. Warfield, Solomon W'ilhelm, Marion A. Randall, Henry W. Sims, E. \V. Oakes, - these are among the several hundred veterans who enlisted in other States, and after the cruel war was over entered again upon the pursuits of peace, choosing this busy valley for their future home, and they are today among our most respected citizens and honored veterans. Their ranks are thinning fast, but the results of their patriotic service will live forever.

Judge Isaac Alarston, T. C. Phillips and Ransom P. Essex were the enrolling officers for Bay County in 1863, this being the 85th Sub-District of Michigan. In 1864 the quota of able-bodied men eligilile for war service had been practically exhausted in this village, and, through the representation of this toard, Bay County's quota that year was reduced by 45, a saving in bounties of something like $15,000.

Hon. James Shearer was alderman in Detroit during the war. So exacting was his work for the families of soldiers, that he gave up his thriving business for the time being and devoted himself exclusively to this work. Repeatedly he visited the battle-fields and hospitals of the South, to provide for the sick and wounded, end everything possible was done for the soldiers and their families here at home. Verily, behind the dramatic incidents of the battle-fields, there was also much heroic devotion, much devoted work and many self-sacrifices.

Bay County from the first was blessed with a band of noble women, as brave, energetic and devoted as their fathers, brothers, sons and husbands, and during all the dark years of the war they willingly gave up the best of earth, for their country's sake. Volumes might be written of the noble work done by these good women. How they carried on the work on the farm left in their charge, or worked and eked out a meager living in the village, while their protectors dared everything for the sake of justice, liberty and equality. How they organized sewing circles, furnishing bandages and wearing apparel for the "Boys in Blue," raised money for hospital purposes and for presents at stated periods to the men at the front. How they kept their troubles at home to themselves, offering nothing but encouragement to their loved ones, thus keeping alive the spirit that finally conquered for the right. In these and a thousand other ways, the good women of our land and of Bay County contributed much to the final success of a cause proven just by the evolutions of more than four decades. No uK.inuments or medals mark the heroism displayed by our true women in times that tried men's souls, but the gratitude and recognition of a nation will endure while life lasts, - a more enduring monument than slabs of marble or medals of bronze. -\ million men fought and thousands died, but back of them all stood other millions and other thousands, whO' upheld the hands that carried the muskets and sabers, and all of these are blessed today by a united, happy and prosperous people. The blood of the sons of Bay County was not shed in vain, and all the sacrifices of our loyal men and women have brought indeed a rich reward. Long may the memory of their noble deeds survive to bless our land !

Spanish-American War

More than 7,2 years had passed, since the hosts of the blue and gray had been called home to other duties, less dangerous, but none the less important and honorable. Peace brought plenty! the blood-bought new era swept away the prejudice and sectionalism of half a cenrtury. Progress andi advancement on e\-ery field of human endeavor brought with it an of industrial activities and development, unprecedented in the history of the world. Commerce and industry had long since wiped out .Dixie's line, and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, peace and plenty reigned.

Little did our nation dream of things to come, when Father Time ushered in the new vp-r of promise, 1898. True, for many years people had shuddered at the misgovernment ^of the Spanish government in Cuba. Until the question of State's rights and slavery were settled here at home, we cared little about the woes of our island neighbors.

But since all was bliss and happiness at home, the shrieks of anguish of the Cuban people were heard more distinctly, and the martyr President, William McKinley, determined to learn for himself the exact condition of things on the beautiful and rich island, long since named the "Gem of the Antilles." Official investigation proved to the world that things were even worse than supposed. Weyler, Blanco, and other despotic governors were drenching the island in blood, while the revolutionists led by Gomez fought grimly from the mountain fastnesses of the interior for liberty and justice.

Li February the battleship "Maine" was sent to Havana to protect the lives and property of American citizens. On the night of February 15, 1898, while most of the fated crew were asleep in quarters, this fine battleship, with its complement of brave blue-jackets, was sunk and utterly destroyed by a submarine mine, 266 lives being lost, among them Seaman Hawkins and Elmer W. Meilstrup, of Bay City. The latter, a son of J. S. Meilstrup, for years manager for the Sage Company's interests on the West Side, was a High School graduate, and a member of the Peninsular Military Company, when in 1897 he joined the navy. \Villiam Mattison, in 1905 color-bearer of the local military company, was asleep in his hammock on the "Maine," when the terrific explosion hurled him overboard, where he was picked up by a rescuing party. For months he suffered terribly from the scalds, burns, and wounds from slivers, caused by the explosion but eventually his rugged physique won out, and today he is following his daily vocation in his old home, a living reminder of the dastardly crime against our country, which stirred our country even more suddenly than did the echoes of the firing on Fort Sumter.

The death of Hawkins and Meilstrup brought the tragedy into our very homes, and nowhere was the resentment stronger than in Bay County. For 24 years Bay City had contributed through the Peninsular Military Company its mite to the rather neglected and thankless State military service, but after the blowing up of the "Maine," when war became a certainty, the community felt assured, that here as in 1 861 Bay County would do its full duty.

The Peninsular Military Company, now Company B, Third Infantry, Michigan National Guard, was organized in November, 1873, by the members of the I. K. U. K. Club, a social organization, having in its ranks many of the promising young business and professional men of the thriving kmiljer town. Those were the years of reconstruction throughout the land, and the volunteer service, which had been utterly neglected after the close of the Civil War, was just being reorganized by Michigan. On April 13, 1874, the Peninsulars were mustered into the State service, as Company D, Third Regiment, M. S. T. Frank H. Blackman, now of Detroit, a veteran of the Sixth Maine Infantry, was chosen captain; L. A. Pratt, today our leading architect, was chosen 1st lieutenant; and T. K. Harding, now chief of the Fire Department, was chosen 2nd lieu^ tenant, with G. Harry Shearer, ist sergeant. Charles R. Hawley, who in the next 22 years rose from sergeant to brigade commander of the Michigan National Guard. Ex-Congressman T. A. E. Weadock, J. S. McNeil and Frank Denio were sergeants. J. L. Stoddard was president ; Edgar A. Cooley, vice-president ; W. G. McMath, secretary; and Judge Thomas E. Webster, treasurer, of the charter organization, while Charles D. Vail, father of the company, and in 1905 still in active business; C. C. Whitney, J. F. Eddy, B. Burton, Mendel J. Bialy, afterward State Senator ; R. C. Bialy, F. S. Pratt, J. A. McKay, Lyman F. Beach, J. K. jMason, R. B. Dolsen, L. Dolsen and many another of Bay City's prominent business and professional men, in the intervening years, were on the muster roll of this company 30 years ago. In 1877 they were ordered to Detroit where riots were caused by railroad difficulties. In 1 88 1, under Capt. C. R. Hawley, the Peninsulars were the body-guard of Governor Begole at the centennial celebration upon the battle-field of Yorktown, Virginia. During the strikes in the sawmill industry along the shore in 1884-86, the Peninsulars were on active duty in command of another Civil War veteran, Captain H. P. Warfield, in 1905, superintendent of

Elm Lawn Cemetery, and the members of thecompany acquitted themselves in this trying duty with commendable good judgment and efficient performance of duty. In the next loyears the routine of barrack drilling was varied only by occasional socials. The annual encampments, from 1 89 1, when the writer enlisted, to 1900, were held at Island Lake with the exception of 1898-99, when the volunteers had more important work to do.

Fortunately for Michigan, the brigade in 1896-97 had the benefit of co-operation from the regular army, the 19th United States Infantry taking part in the field camps. Maj. Charles A. Vernon, then as now, was the efficient regular army instructor detailed to Michigan, and General Hawley of Bay City had learned much in the 22 years of State service, which he put into practical execution during his command of Michigan's volunteers, whilethe commander-in-chief. Governor Hazen S. Pingree, was himself a Civil War veteran. Hence when the 32 years of peace were broken by the appalling disaster of the "Maine," the local military company, and the four regiments in Michigan, were in a high state of efficiency.

When in March, 1898, it became certain that war was inevitable, there was a rush of young men to the colors, and hundreds had to be turned away, because each company was allowed but 112 men. Many of those unable to join the Peninsulars went into other regiments, regulars and volunteers, while still others joined the navy, so that Bay County furnished in the four short months of actual combat about 300 men, many of whom later went to the Philippines.

On April 26, 1898, the Peninsular ^Military Company, later Company C, 33d Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and now Company B, Third Infantry, Michigan National Guard, answered the call of President McKinley for service against Spain. It was a clay to be forgotten by those in line. Thousands of people thronged the streets, business was suspended, cannons roared, bands played and fireworks added to the din, while the decorations in red, white and blue made one think it might be a Fourth of July celebration. Led by the regimental band and accompanied by the Veteran Corps of the Peninsulars, who throughout the war looked after the families and relatives of the men on duty in Cuba, and by many civic societies, the men destined to see the most stirring events at Santiago marched from the old barracks on Washington avenue and Ninth street down Center avenue to Jackson street and the Michigan Central Railroad Depot, every inch of the way through a mass of shouting, cheering, and even tearful thousands.

The following from Bay County served in other companies of the 33rd Michigan : Company B, M. Highland ; Company E, Bert F. Becker (died at Montauk Point, 1898), F. Heike, L. G. Wilkinson, R. N. Colburn, F. M. Schindehette and G. Rabideau; Company M, J. E. Rabideau and C. B. Mervick.

The 33rd Michigan Infantry Band, T. W. Goldsmith, drum major, was largely composed of Bay City musicians. Sergt. Frank Heric, now in the Philippines with the regulars, was chief musician, and Jesse \\'agar, now leader of the band here, was principal musician. Among the musicians who stirred the rocks of Cuba by their martial airs were : E. B. Hartig, Charles Hartig, Victor Heric, Nicholas Heric, Joseph Lafountain, A. Carrier, Frank Sharpe (died in Cuba), George E. Smart, J. Muschall, J. Schopski, W. Barber, P. Roeder, Ed. Nunn, E. Nunn, R. R. Lemke and A. Goslar. Vacancies on the band were latter filled by enlistment of musicians from other parts of the State. The band throughout 1898 held a high place for proficiency, wdierever it had occasion to show its merit.

The events in the Spanish-American war moved fast indeed, and thanks particularly to our jolly tars, the war was over in less time than it required in ages gone to begin the preliminaries. On April 11, President McKinley asked Congress for power to intervene in Cuba, which was ordered on April 19th. Our ultimatum was wired Minister Woodford at Madrid April 20th, and promptly rejected by the haughty Dons. On April 21st at 7 A. M., war was declared, and within 24 hours Admiral Sampson's fleet moved on Havana. On April 22nd the gunboat "Nashville" fired the first shot at a land battery near Havana. On April 23rd

On April 26th Michigan's five regiments were mobilized at Island Lake. Bay City's contingent was given a grand ovation when the troop train pulled out of the depot, but among the cheering thousands were many aching hearts. Every town and village in Michigan, through which these trains passed that day, added their mite of music and cheering, proving conclusively that our people were a unit in prosecuting this war. The first two weeks in camp were wet, raw and cold, so that from the first the volunteers had to contend with adverse elements. Rifle practice and battle exercises were the order of the day for the next five weeks.

On April 29th Michigan's Naval Reserves left for Newport News, where they manned the auxiliary cruiser "Yosemite." Bay City was represented there by E. E. Anneke, W. B. Fox, J. C. Irvine, John Ruge and M. R. Tousey.

The realities of war were brought to the camp at Island Lake on the e\'ening of May 2nd, when suddenly the long roll was sounded and the five regiments assembled before headquarters to hear the glad tidings of Admiral Dewey's naval victory at Manila on May i. There was little sleep for the boys in blue on that memorable night. On May nth Ensign Bagley and four men were killed in a naval attack on Cardenas. Meanwhile the regular army examiners and mustering officers began the work of selecting the four regiments of 12 companies each apportioned to Michigan by the War Department.

On May 19th the 31st Michigan Infantry left camp for Chickamauga, where the regiment was destined to remain until the war closed, when it spent several months in Cuba on gar- risoii duty. On May 19th the 32nd Michigan Infantry left camp for Tampa, Florida, and as that was the naval base for the planned attack on Havana, this regiment appeared most likely to see immediate action. Circumstances later prevented the attack on Havana, and this regiment spent the entire time in camp. Both of these regiments had a number of men from Bay County. On May 19th Admiral Cervera and his fated fleet entered Santiago harbor, and on May 27th Admiral Schley with 12 ships of war began the long vigil, whose tragic ending the Bay County contingent was to witness at Santiago little more than a month later.

On May 28th the 33d Michigan Infantry with the Peninsulars left camp for the army corps rendezvous 12 miles from Washington, the historic battle-field of Bull Run, named in honor of Michigan's Secretary of War, "Camp Alger." The last farewells were said on the Sunday previous when a large contingent of Bay County people witnessed the last review of the regiment on Island Lake's famous parade grounds. Another ovation greeted the regiment oni its speedy trip through Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia, South vying with North to honor the nation's volunteers. At Dunloring, Virginia, the rigors of war service began in earnest. A wearisome march over Virginia's dusty roads brought the Michigan boys, now largely recruits, to a wilderness of of scrub woods and marsh, where they had to work for days clearing away the underbrush, amid Virginia's tropical heat, before a drill ground and camp were finally established. Hobson's brilliant attempt to block the harbor entrance at Santiago June 3rd electrified Camp

On June 7th the 34th Michigan Inf. also arrived at Camp Alger, camping just across the highway from the 33rd, while the Ninth Massachusetts Infantry to the south was brigaded with them under Gen. H. M. Duffield of Detroit, a Michigan Civil War veteran. Scarceity of water was the main drawback to Camp Alger, every spring being zealously guarded, and the Michigan bovs carried their water supply many miles in the blazing sun. Dysentery and typhoid soon invested the camp. News from the front however kept all on edge.

On June loth the United States marines landed at Guantanamo, and on June 13 th General Shaffer's expedition started for Santiago from Key West, Florida, landing at Baiquiri, June 22nd. Little did the Michigan boys then dream that in a few weeks they would be with him before the Cuban stronghold. On June 2 1 St the writer was in a telegraph station near Washington, wiring his daily budget of news from the Michigan regiments to our native State, when the ticker at division headquarters announced an order from Secretary Alger for the 33rd and 34 Michigan Infantry to prepare to reinforce Shafter before Santiago. When he announced this news in camp, the boys were skeptical, and yet overjoyed at the prospect. That night the official orders were issued, and early next morning the 33rd and one battalion of the 34th left for Newport News where on June 23rd they boarded the auxiliary cruiser "Yale," formerly the ocean greyhound "New York," and on June 25th the rest of the 34th Michigan and Ninth Massachusetts followed, embarking June 26tli at Newport News on the auxiliary cruiser "Harvard," Captain Cotton now admiral United States Navy, commanding. Many of the men had visited Washington dur- ing the stay at Camp Alger, liaci roamed over the battle-field of Bull Run, been wearied by camp routine, and amid the cheering thousands who bade them farewell none were happier than the men who went forth to an uncertain fate in a foreign isle. The writer will never forget the ovation of the Virginians along the line of railway, particularly at Richmond, where cheering thousands thronged about Robert E. Lee's statue as we swept by. We had camped between regiments from Virginia, Tennessee. Missouri and Kentucky, had rallied with them at the midnight alarms, "hiked" and drilled with them in Camp Alger's maneuvers, shared with them the little comforts of camp, and we realized fully there was "no North, no South" in this war, but a united country had rallied around the old flag. At Fortress Monroe we entered the w-ar zone. American battleships patrolled the coast, torpedo boats flitted about the mines that guarded the entrance to the Norfolk Navy Yard, where two monster battleships, the "Kentucky" and "Kearsarge," were on the stocks. Since so many Russian and Japanese ships in 1904 ran foul of their own mines, we can congratulate ourselves that in all our coast guarding not a single ship or life was lost in 1898.

On June 27th the Michigan regiments landed at Baiquiri, the Bay County contingent seeing for the first time the scenes of Shafter's landing, Hobson's adventure, Morro Castle, Sampson's fleet. General Garcia's ragged Cuban insurgents and Spanish blockhouses, so effective against prowling Cubans, but easily demolished by the American fleet. Our fondest wish was realized. W'e were on Cuban soil, and in the very midst of the stirring war drama about Santiago. It took us many hours to land food, ammunition and arms through the roaring ocean surf, and at nightfall we pitched camp in a pretty palm grove. The first regular army officer to look us over shook his head when he noticed our antiquated Springfield rifles, with smoking powder ammunition. He said it was a shame to send men to Santiago with those old blunderbusses, when thousands of Krag-Jorgensen repeating rifles lay idle in the arsenals at home. He told us of the skirmish at Las Guasimas. June 24th and General ChafYee's victory at Sevilla, June 25th driving the Spaniards back to El Poso, General Shafter's army gradually advancing each day toward the San Juan Hills and El Caney, which were plainly visible from the Meastro Mountains on our right. That night lizards, land crabs and a myriad of other and strange beasts and creepers made life miserable for the sons of Bay County, and at midnight a terrific rain-storm, a veritable cloud-burst, made camp unbearable and the real hardships of campaigning in a tropical climate began in earnest. Next morning the Michiganders changed to high ground, spent house in policing camp, furnished General Shaffer with men for the water-works pumping station at Siboney and railroad hands for the narrow gauge railroad running toward Morro Castle from the copper mines in the mountains. Trenches were dug on the ocean shore for the hospitals, already filled with the wounded of the early skirmishes. W'agons were loaded for the front, guards placed on the hills toward Morro Castle and every man felt that a crisis was at hand.

The Cubans meanwhile made the camp disagreeable with their skulking and pilfering, loud boasts and ravenous appetites being apparently the stock in trade of most of these Cuban warriors, armed with machetes of huge dimensions. Only a few had serviceable rifles. The arms of wounded Americans were given General Garcia's band, and his elite did good service scouting on the front and flank of the Spaniards, a service which they could better perform than the Americans because they knew the trails through the shaparel, the rank undergrowth of cactus, vines and creepers, which covered the country back of Santiago, where in times of peace stood rich sugar plantations with thousands of acres of sugar cane. \Var"s horrors were everywhere in evidence here, but this handful of Cubans saved the reputation of their countrymen at Santiago, the majority of whom were lazy and shiftless negroes.

While guarding the shore, the Michigan volunteers witnessed several bombardments of ]\Iorro Castle by the American fleet. After the surrender an inspection of the Spanish batteries by the writer showed the mass of shells did but little damage. Between the thundering cannon, screeching shells, blazing sun, dirty water and drenching rains, we soon learned that General Sherman knew whereof he spoke, when he said "War is hell !" But we were still vigorous, the war panorama about us was inspiring, and the nearness of the foreign enemy lent zest to all our work.

On the night of June 30th final preparations were made for the assault on Santiago. The Michigan regiments, the rest of the 34th just landing, were ordered to assault at daybreak, Aquadores. a fortified height defending the crossing of Aquadores River, east of Morro Castle, while the regulars under Chafifee. Kent, Wheeler, Lawton, Sumner and Capron's artillery, assaulted San Juan Hill and El Caney, That night Bay City's band played "Michigan, my Michigan," while the preparations for the next day's battle went forward, and never did that air of our far-away home sound more martial and inspiring.

At break of day. July i. 1898. the Michigan troops were moved in the little ore cars to a bend below Aquadores River, and by 5 A. M. they were under fire from the Spanish battery.

They kept under cover until 7 A. M., when they marched up the railroad cut, where a shell exploded over Company L, killing four and wounding and maiming as many more. Exposed to artillery fire without being able to reply with the old Springfields at that distance, there was nothing for it, but to seek cover and advance among the rocks along shore. When the river was reached the bridge was found missing, the Cuban scouts had vanished with the first exploding shell, and reluctantly enough the [Michigan regiments ended their diversion at this point. The last two battalions of the 34th finished landing before noon, and marched to the support of the 33rd, meeting them on their return to Siboney, where the 33rd was ordered to guard prisoners taken that day at El Caney, while the 34th was ordered forward to support General Shafter's thin blue line in the Spanish entrenchments taken that bloody day on the heights of San Juan. All night long the regiment marched over the 12 miles of mountain trail to San Juan, and at daybreak it was greeted with stray shells from Santiago, one of which exploded under the gun of Capron's battery, killing the entire crew. For the next two miles of the advance the regiment was under a hail of Mauser bullets, with occasional screeching shells, fired from the Spaniards' trenches just outside of Santiago, but as they were fired at an angle at San Juan, all went wild and high over our heads. That did not prevent us from ducking occasionally, when the sound came nearer, or a ricochet bullet whizzed past. Only a few minor wounds were sustained by the 1,000 Michiganders marching past the "bloody bend," taken the day before by the Americans with much loss of life, and by noon we were in the rear of General Kent's division on San Juan Hill, where we were kept in reserve, our smoking powder and short-range rifles being con- we rallied in the trenches with the regulars, when the Spaniards made a desperate charge on General Chaffee's line, but American machine guns and rifle fire drove the Spaniards back, just as they did on July loth, when the writer witnessed the last desperate charge of the enemy the bloody angle.

Next morning we heard the roar of the naval guns ofif shore, while the Bay City contingent on provost duty at Siboney saw the first movements of the American fleet on that memorable July 3rd, when Cervera's fleet was sunk by Schley and Sampson. We had been without food, save what we found on the battle-field, since June 30th, and sleep was out of the question on San Juan Hill, without shelter in the driving rain of the night and under the blazing sun by day, trench digging under such conditions being a real hardship, but we all cheered and cheered again, when the truth passed down the line toward evening, that the fleet of the enemy was no more. Pack mule trains rushed up and down the mountain trails that night, bringing ammunition and much needed food, and the writer celebrated that July 4th by drinking a cup of black coffee, and munching three hardtacks under a ceiba tree behind our sandbag entrenchments, the first good lunch in three days. Later he carried dispatches and mail to Siboney, telling the people in Michigan that all was well with us, and that the enemy were ours.,

Then followed two weeks of scouting through the San Juan \''alley, General Pando having reinforced the Spaniards in Santiago with 8,000 men, and Shafter feared another attempt to break through his investing lines. On Sunday, July 17, 1898, the writer, with i.ooo other Michigan boys witnessed the surrender of the Spaniards in the valley below San Juan, a historic e\-ent, never to be forgotten. The next day we visited the city in search of medicine for some sick comrades. Meanwhile the Bay City company and band had been on duty night and day, nursing the wounded, who came by hundreds from the front, and guarding several hundred Spanish prisoners taken in battle, who were placed inside of wire entanglements with strong guards standing by day in the blazing hot sun, and by night amid the mists of the ocean, and the pouring rains of Cuba's rainy season. Here were the horrors of war, without its heroic counterparts, hence a most trying service for Michigan's volunteers.

Yellow fever in a mild form, mountain fever, ague and malaria, the dangers always besetting people coming from a temperate zone to the tropics during the rainy season, filled the hospitals and decimated the ranks. At one time in the middle of July two-thirds of the Bay City contingent were detailed for hospital duty, the bandmen acting as nurses on transports that brought the wounded and very sick to Newport News and other harbors. As the heat and rain;, increased, the Army of Santiago, especially the volunteer regiments, became a mere hospital camp, and soon were heard in the Michigan camps the sad notes of "Taps," as some poor boy, a thousand miles from home, was lowered uncermoniously into a grave on Cuban soil, which his sacrifice had helped to free forever from the tyrant's heel. A year later a grateful State sent emmissaries to Santiago who looked up the graves that had been marked with crude wood markers, and brought all the dead back to their native heath. Some sleep in the National Cemetery on Arlington Heights ; others were brought back to Bay City and other home stations of the departed comrades.

the survivors, wasting away in the torrid cHmate, with inadequate medical suppHes, plenty but poor food, knowing their work was done, was to go back to a more congenial clime. About August 20th the first transports started for home with fever stricken regiments, and on August 25 th the long expected order came for the Michigan regiments to break camp, bum their fever infected clothing and stores, leave behind the weakest men in hospital, under good care, and board the several boats assigned them, the Peninsulars getting assigned to the "Harvard," while the writer nursed some of the 45 invalids on the old cattle-boat "Santiago" from Santiago to the detention camp at jNIontauk Point, Long Island, where the cool breezes of the Atlantic were expected to do what medicine and nursing in many instances had failed to do, - restore health and vitality. After rather squally voyages all the companies were reunited here, and for the first time in many weeks loved ones at home received positive news from the boys at the front.

Out of the 74 survivors of the Peninsulars at Camp Wyckofl:, some 20 were on the sick list, several seriously, and the total in the two Michigan regiments aggregated 367 in c^uarters and hospital. Governor Pingree had sent his son, together with G. A. Loud and G. Harry Keating of Bay City, to welcome the returning veterans at Montauk, and a number of relatives came early to care for their sick loved ones.

On the night of September ist the quarantine on both regiments was raised and at sunrise next morning all the uniforms, tentage and equipment used in Cuba were burned, new clothing issued, and the homeward journey commenced. The survivors will never forget the rousing welcome accorded the sunburnt and emaciated campaigners as they passed up

East River on a ierry, and at every station through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, the regiments were accorded an even heartier welcome than on their outward trip. At Detroit hundreds of friends awaited them, and on Sunday, Sept. 3rd, every person living in Bay County was out to welcome the Peninsulars and the 33rd Infantry Band home. The ranks were thinned, many of the boys could hardly be recognized after only four months absence, so deep graven were the evidences of tropical war ser\-ice under adverse conditions, and many a cheer was hushed at sight of the wan faces and emaciated forms. But the great surging throng of fellow-citizens, the brief but impressive services at the old armory, the tears and joy of loved ones, did not fail to cheer the weary travelers. Rest and care of home and mother soon wiped out in most cases the last vestiges of foreign service. A few have suffered and lingered with the treacherous fevers to this day, and each year adds new graves for the loving remembranccof sur\-iving comrades.

The Michigan regiments were accorded two months furlough at their home stations and on December 12, 1898, the Peninsulars and the 33rd Infantry band were mustered out and honorably discharged from the United States volunteer service. But scores of Bay County soldiers were then still in the service, in the United States navy and regular army, and in other volunteer regiments then carrying the "Stars and Stripes" victoriously through the Philippines. A number of the Cuban veterans at once reenlisted in the 30th United States Volunteer Infantry for service in the far East.

The honor roll of those who fell at the post of duty includes : W. H. Dollard, J. T. Sills, Frank E. Sharp, Guy A. Poole, Arthur Fissette, who died in Cuba ; Bert F. Becker, W' ill

Thompson, Fred Von Walthausen, Fred Meyers, William Pringle, J. W. JMcKee, F. Parent, and D. H. MacMillan, who died in the United States; and W. J. McLean, Ralph Thompson, F. Warner, Charles Calkins, Frank L. Harvvood, and R. Archambeau, who died in the Philippines.

The ladies of Bay City presented the Peninsular veterans with a new silk flag on their arrival home, and the Veteran Corps took excellent care of the sick and their families. But the new armory, which they had fondly hoped would soon be realized, is still a fond dream of future bliss. In 1899 the company was on the verge of disbanding for want of suitable drill quarters but when the present officers took hold, in 1901, Arion Hall was secured for barracks purposes, and, while somewhat small, it is a large improvement over the tumble-down shack, which witnessed the departure for Cuba and the home coming of Bay City's volunteer contingent. A fund has since been created for auditorium and armory purposes, public conveniences that should long since have been supplied by our fellow-citizens. However, better late than never.

In August, 1900, the Peninsulars attended the last encampment at Island Lake; Camp Bliss (1901) and Camp Hawley (1902), named in honor of Bay City's brigade commander, were held at Manistee. October i to 12, 1903, the Peninsulars took part in the regular army maneuvers at Camp Young, West Point, Kentucky. Camp Boynton (1904) was held at Ludington, where from August 8 to 17, inclusive, will he held the field encampment of 1905. At each of these last five camps Company B has had the honor of being the only complete company on duty, not an cffiicer or member being missing during all these years.

On Michigan Day, October 12, 1904, the Peninsulars, Company B, Third Infantry, M. N. G., were the guard of honor for Governor Bliss at St. Louis, the only military representatives from Michigan at the World's Fair, winning daily encomiums for a week for their fine work on parade, and during special drills on the Plaza St. Louis and the Grand Esplanade. Bay City was represented by two officers and 53 enlisted men, carrying the tattered battle-flag of the 33rd Michigan Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, and this distinctive honor is a fitting tribute to the loyal service of our volunteers in times of peace.

The roster in 1905 shows a full complement of officers and men, and 20 recruits on the waiting list, so that the Peninsulars are certain to maintain their lead in the Michigan National Guard for some time to come.

Sons, including in its ranks veterans of all our wars, sons of veterans, and veterans of more than three years service in the National Guard. The national officers are: Commander, L. G. Willcox; adjutant general, \\'. N. Sweeney; inspector general, A. H. Gansser; attorney general. J. E. Brockway; executive staff, -

L. ]\IcHugh, and A. H. McMillan. Sheridan Camp, No. 5, of Bay City is among the most thriving local organizations in this rapidly growing patriotic order. The local officers of this organization, as well as of the G. A. R. and Spanish War Veterans, are given in Chapter XIV.