Hillsdale in the Civil War - Middle TN

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Michigan Units in Hood’s 1864 Middle Tennessee Campaign

with a particular focus on action in and around Middle Tennessee

by the Boys of Hillsdale

What Michigan Cavalry units saw action at Franklin 1864? 2nd MI Cav (Croxton)

The 2nd MI Cav lost at least two men at Franklin 11/30/64; one was from Hillsdale County. 24 yr old William Price (1861) was in Co G of the 2nd MI Cav and was KIA at Franklin.

These men were wounded at Franklin (not from Hillsdale as best I can tell)

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Around June 1864 It soon started after its old enemy, General Wheeler, and was constantly in the saddle looking after the confederate forces under General Forest and came in contact with them several times, pursuing him until he retired too far south to follow. When the confederate General Hood marched north, the Second confronted his forces and retarded his march and destroyed many of his wagons and captured his guns and baggage. During the year the Second marched through Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia, sustaining losses, but inflicting much greater upon the enemy. OR records

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Men of the 2nd Michigan Cav known to have been from Hillsdale? http://www.michiganinthewar.org/cavalry/2cava.htm

Company A Friend Alvord. No age at enlistment. Enoch N. Green age 20. He enlisted on 11/13/63 as a Pvt. He is listed as deserting on 11/28/63. Company B James Byrne, age 46. Andrew C. Patterson, age 18. Charles A. Witherell, no age listed. Company C None Company D Charles H. Campbell, age 20. Andrew J. Filkins, age 20. Golbert Wood, age 20. Company E William E. Johnson, age 29. Roderic C. Phillips, age 23. Horace H. Turner, age 29. Company F None Company G (100 men)

OFFICERS

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RANK NAME HOME AGE Captain Fowler, Frederick Hillsdale 45 1st. Lieutenant Waterman, Jasper A. Hillsdale 45 2nd Lieutenant Hawley, James Hillsdale 23

ENLISTED MEN

NAME HOME AGE Adams, Oscar Lapeer County 22 Ainsworth, James E. Hillsdale County 25 Allen Leroy Hillsdale 18 Ames, Royal B. Hillsdale County 37 Amidon, Andrew J. Hillsdale 27 Appleton, James Hillsdale County 27 Arnold, Jerry Hillsdale County 24 Ashley, William Hillsdale County 33 Aulsboro, Alonzo Cambria 25 Aulsboro, John Hillsdale County 21 Bailey, John A. Hillsdale County 25 Bailey, Ralph Hillsdale County 24 Baker, George W. Hillsdale County 23 Barnhart, Michael Litchfield 42 Barrett, William H. Hillsdale County 18 Bartholomew, Grove S. Hillsdale County 18 Bates, Israel P. Hillsdale County 26 Beckwith, Charles S. Hillsdale County 18 Benedict, Norman Hillsdale County 22 Birdsall, Leander Hillsdale County 18 Boisvert, Maxim Hadley 23 Bowen, Philip R. Hillsdale 19 Bowen, Warren Hillsdale 20 Boyle, Charles -or- Waterford 28 Doyle, Charles Briggs, Ephriam B. Hillsdale County 21 Brock, William Hillsdale County 21 Brown, Darwin E. Hillsdale County 20 Brown, Henry H. Hillsdale County 26 Brown, Lyman T. Greenwood 28 Brown, William A. Hillsdale County 21 Bulson, Washington I. Hillsdale County 20 Bunt, George W. Hillsdale County 24 Burd, Francis E. Cambria 32 Burt, James Hillsdale County 23 Bylon, Charles -or- Pontiac 32 Bilow, Charles

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Camp, Curtis H. Novi n/a Campbell, Jefferson N. Reading 29 Campbell, William C. Hillsdale County 21 Carey, John O. Hillsdale 18 Cogger, John Caledonia 35 Cone, Austin Hillsdale County 21 Cortright, Jackson Pittsford 27 Cutler, F. Byron Hillsdale County 27 Davenport, William R. Hillsdale Company 20 Day, James B. Hillsdale County 18 Douglass, George A. Hillsdale County 21 Dunton, Eben H. Hillsdale County 30 Eddy, Erwin Cambria 22 Ellis, Nathan F. Hillsdale County 24 Emery, Daniel Bunker Hill 20 Ferris, Henry H. Reading 45 Fisk, Orson W. St. Joseph County 22 Fitzgerald, Joseph Hillsdale County 23 Fitzgerald, Michael Caledonia 41 Fleetwood, Ansel Hillsdale County 19 Ford, Alton S. Hillsdale County 23 Forquer, Eli R. Hillsdale County 19 Forquer, John M. Hillsdale County 22 Gates, Wells W. Hillsdale County 35 Graham, James C. Caledonia 23 Gregory, Cornelius M. Hillsdale County 22 Grove, William H. Hillsdale 19 Hanna, Charles M. Cambria 27 Harrington, John Avin 38 Harris, James Oakland n/a Harwick, George Ida 20 Helime, Michael M. Hillsdale 44 Herrington, John B. Hillsdale County 24 Howe, William Allen 18 Howell, Chauncey L. Hillsdale County 21 Howell, John P. Hillsdale County 25 Howell, William C. Jefferson 29 Hughes, William Hillsdale County 37 Hunt, Miles B. Greenwood 28 Johnson, Henry G. California 19 Kellogg, Sylvester H. Hillsdale County 19 Keyes, William A. Hillsdale 24 Kidder, Homer H. Hillsdale County 22 Kidder, Nelson E. Hillsdale County 20 Kieth, Nathaniel Reading 22 Kump, Zachariah Detroit 33 Laughrey, Hugh Hillsdale County 35

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Long, Joseph L. Hillsdale County 36 McCurdy, Isaac N. Hillsdale County 22 McDougall, Robert Hillsdale County 18 McDuffee, David Hillsdale County 34 McHenry, Archibald Caledonia 23 McLain, James -or- Grand Rapids 18 McLean, James McNair, John O. Pulaski 18 McPherson, Alexander Elk n/a McWithey, Jerome Pontiac 18 Martin, Charles Waterford 23 Martin, William B. Moscow 23 Mesick, James J. Hillsdale County 26 Moore, Joseph Leighton 21 Moria, August White Lake 29 Morrison, Richard Hillsdale County 18 Moses, Jabez H. Hillsdale 25 Mulliken, Alonzo S. Hillsdale County 18 Mulliken, John B. Jefferson 25 Munger, George A. Hillsdale County 23 Norton, Joseph H. Adams 21 Nutton, Oscar D. Hillsdale County 21 O'Conner, James F. Southfield 24 Packard, Otis Hillsdale County 22 Pease, John Hillsdale County 21 Perkins, George Hillsdale County 24 Pierce, Abram F. Hillsdale County 27 Price, William Hillsdale County 25 Proctor, Frank K. Hillsdale County 24 Prosser, Lewis Hillsdale 17 Purcell, John Highland 27 Reed, Judah Hillsdale County 24 Ritter, Carl Sanilac 22 Roberts, Eugene K. Huron County, OH 20 Robertson, Samuel V. Hillsdale County 22 Rosseau, Joseph Erie 18 Rudge, Roderick Bruce n/a Ryan, Con Washington 25 See, Gabriel Hillsdale County 31 Shannon, Aymour R. Reading 25 Small, Frederick Detroit 38 Smith, Edward C. Hillsdale County 36 Smith, Seymour F. Caledonia 24 Sommers, Jonathan B. Hillsdale County 20 Standard, Henry B. Hillsdale County 20 Straw, Liberty Hillsdale County 21 Straw, Walter B. Adams 21

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Sturdevant, Joseph Hillsdale County 23 Taylor, James A. Hillsdale County 29 Taylor, Robert Hillsdale 23 Taylor, William W. Hillsdale 23 Thompson, James Hillsdale County 20 Tibbetts, Nicholas -or- Cambria 44 Nichols, Tibbets Titus, Horace W. Hillsdale County 21 Turner, Stephen Hillsdale County 18 Tuttle, William Hillsdale County 19 Vandenburgh, Charles Hillsdale County 21 Vanderwarker, William H. Hillsdale County 44 Van Horn, William H. Hillsdale County 36 Vickery, Reuben Hillsdale 24 Wachter, Richard -or- Fremont 28 Wichtor, Richard Waldo, Burdette S. Hillsdale County 21 Walter, Arthur Adams 42 Walters, Thaddeus L. Grand Rapids 27 Walters, Theron D. Hillsdale County 20 Wamsley, Christopher Hillsdale 26 Warner, Collatinus D. Hillsdale County 22 Weston, Frank L. Hillsdale County 19 Weston, George E. Pulaski 18 Wheaton, Samuel Hillsdale County 43 Whitbeck, John A. Cambria n/a Whitney, Oscar Grand Rapids 18 Wilbur, Erasmus F. Hillsdale County 18 Wilson, Bradley J. Hillsdale County 24 Wilson, Harvey Hillsdale County 21 Winney, Joshua Hillsdale County 25 Woodruff, Alanson Ingham County 18 Wooster, Charles Hillsdale County 18 Yates, Porter Hillsdale 34

Company H Clarence H. Chapman, age 19 Company I None

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Company K Merrick G. Blood, age 39 Wells G. Hickox, age 44 Comstock Maples, age 25 Abram Stocker, age 40 George W. Young age 18 Company L None Company M William Birdsall, age 18 William A. Case, age 21 Clement C. Hutton, age 38 Owen McManus, age 19 Thomas O’Brien, age 40 Thaddeus M. Southworth, age 18 Robert Wilson, age 18

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Men of the 2nd Michigan Cav

Shirk Miller, Comm Sgt by the time of Franklin in late 1864.

He survived Franklin and the war.

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CDV Union Lt Joseph Palmer

2nd Michigan Cavalry

1st Lt. Company E at Franklin

Survived the war

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William Tenney

Company F, 2nd Michigan Cavalry


From Highland, Michigan. William enlisted in Company F, 2nd Michigan Cavalry September 20, 1861 at Grand Rapids, Michigan for three years service at age 24. Mustered October 2, 1861. re-enlisted at Mossy Creek, Tennessee on January 5, 1864. Took Veteran furlough and mustered in on March 29, 1864 and was promoted to 1st Sergeant. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on October 22, 1864. He Commanded Company F from April 1, 1865 until August 1, 1865. Mustered out and Honorably discharged on August 17, 1865 at Macon, Georgia.

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Andrew Bradford Company F, 2nd Michigan Cavalry

Survived Franklin


From Ravenna, Michigan. Andrew enlisted at Grand Rapids, Michigan for 3 years of service at the age of 19 on August 11, 1862. He reached the regiment than at Rienzi, Mississippi on September 9, 1862. He was promoted to Corporal on November 1, 1864. He was discharged at Edgefield, Tennessee on June 21, 1865. His post war address was Baldwin, Michigan.

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George B. Race, Company B, 2nd Michigan Cav From Ionia County, Michigan. George enlisted at Greenville, Michigan for 3 years of service at the age of 19 on September 11, 1862. He took the muster oath on October 2, 1861. He served his full term of enlistment with the 2nd Cavalry and was discharged on October 22, 1864 at Nashville, Tennessee.

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Mile B. Hunt, Company G. Wounded at Franklin then discharged.

Company G, 2nd Michigan Cavalry

From Greenwood, Michigan, Miles enlisted on August 15, 1862 at Grand Rapids for 3 years of service at age 28. Joined the regiment at Rienzi, Mississippi on September 8, 1862. He was discharged for disability due to wounds received in action at Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864. He is buried in Artondale Cemetery, near Gig Harbor, Washington.

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Marvin H. Creager


From Berlin, Michigan, he enlisted as a 1st Sergeant , August 30, 1861, at Grand Rapids, Michigan for 3 years service at age 25. He re-enlisted January 5, 1864 at Mossy Creek, Tennessee. Mustered in on March 29, 1864. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenat, Company I, March 1, 1864. Transferred to Company F, September 20, 1864. Commissioned Captain on December 15, 1864. He was mustered out and honorably discharged at Macon, Georgia on August 17, 1865. "After Capt Creager left the army he went to north central Kansas and had a dairy and cheese factory until his death in 1898. In what was a supreme irony, Capt Creager was killed when a team of runaway horses dragged him to his death."

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John H. Snyder

Company K, 2nd Michigan Cavalry

John was drafted for 3 years service on October 28, 1863 from Alpine, Kent County, Michigan. He was captured at Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864 and reportedly held at Andersonville until he was paroled. He was discharged from the service at Camp Chase, Ohio on June 16, 1865.

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CIVIL WAR 2ND MICHIGAN CAVALRY SPENCER CARBINE: Serial number 16442, issued to the 2nd Regiment Michigan Cavalry according to records. Partial owners name crudely etched in stock, Clark, most likely for Private John Clark of the 2nd Michigan, no other information available. Complete, mechanism locks in half-cock, sporadically in full cock. Inspector mark P in forestock.

Pvt John Clark Residence Utica MI; 21 years old. Enlisted on 9/24/1861 at Warren, MI as a Private. On 10/2/1861 he mustered into "H" Co. MI 2nd Cavalry He died of disease on 2/26/1862 at Benton Barracks, St Louis, MO

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Soldier on the left is Jeremiah Sullivan of Company L, 2nd Michigan Cavalry. Soldier on his right is not identified.

Residence was not listed; 31 years old. Enlisted on 11/2/1863 at Leroy, Oceana County, MI as a Private. On 11/2/1863 he mustered into "L" Co. MI 2nd Cavalry He was Mustered Out on 8/17/1865 at Macon, GA

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Leroy Allen -‐ 2 MI Cav (from Hillsdale)

On 10/2/1861 he mustered into "G" Co. MI 2nd Cavalry He died of disease on 4/13/1863 at Franklin, TN. (Buried in stone river national cemetery at Murfreesboro, TN. grave no. 3574)

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Carey, John O. -‐ 2nd MI Cav -‐ enlisted at age 18; died 11.23.64 at Nashville, wounded 11/15/64 at Pulaski. Buried in Nashville National Cemetery.

Grave locator (this data might not be John O. Carey)

CAREY, JOHN PVT INFANTRY CIVIL WAR DATE OF DEATH: 10/23/1862

BURIED AT: SECTION N SITE 10433

Also found a John Carey buried in N.10532 in Nashville.

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THE PERSONAL HEADQUARTERS FLAG OF PHILIP HENRY SHERIDAN FROM THE SPRING – SUMMER OF 1862, WHEN HE LED THE 2ND MICHIGAN CAVALRY WITH GREAT EFFECT AND ROSE FROM CAPTAIN TO MAJOR GENERAL

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Men of the 8th Michigan Cav known to have been from Hillsdale?

None in Companies A, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L or M Company B Charles Billings, 23 Company E Isaac Barton, 29

8th MI Cav (Biddle)

Around October 1864

In October the Eighth left Nicholasville for Nashville and from Nashville to Pulaski to meet the advancing army of General Hood and keep General Thomas at Nashville advised of the movements of the confederate troops. In performing this duty the regiment was constantly in the presence of the enemy and being a force of observation was slowly driven back towards Nashville by Hood's strong Infantry columns. It took part in many severe encounters during this period, but the first of December it fell back behind the defenses of Nashville and was held in reserve until Dec. 22. OR records

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Men of the 23rd Michigan Infantry known to have been from Hillsdale?

None are listed on the Company rosters.

What Michigan Infantry units saw action at Franklin?

23rd MI Inf (23rd Corps, Col Oliver L. Spaulding, Moore’s Brigade, Ruger’s Div). Placed on the left Union flank.

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23rd MI men killed at Franklin (not Hillsdale boys)

23rd MI men wounded at Franklin (not Hillsdale boys)

After the fall of Atlanta the Twenty-‐third was sent in pursuit of the confederate General Hood, who marched his army through Georgia and Alabama to Nashville, Tenn. During this march it retraced its steps over a portion of the ground it had occupied on the march to Atlanta. It reached Columbia on the 25th of November, where it joined the Union forces to oppose the further advance of General Hood. At Duck River the regiment skirmished heavily with the enemy, and fell back to Franklin, where a desperate battle was fought, the confederates charging upon the works hastily thrown up, and were repelled by a hand-‐to-‐hand conflict. The obstinate resistance offered by the Union forces delayed the march of General Hood so General Thomas, at Nashville, could organize his troops for the final struggle before that city. Probably there was no more desperate fighting in any battle of the war than at Franklin, Tenn., and the Twenty-‐third was in the line when the fighting was fiercest. The Union forces fell back to Nashville, and on Dec. 15 and 16 the Twenty-‐third, with the army under General Thomas, in a two days' battle, completely defeating the confederates under General Hood, and drove them back in utter rout to Duck River. During the battle the Twenty-‐third charged the enemy, securely placed behind a stone wall on the crest of a hill, demoralizing the confederates and taking more prisoners than there were men in the Twenty-‐third. – OR records

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Men of the 23rd Michigan Infantry

Dexter Keeler was 1st Lt of the 23rd at Franklin

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Orlando LeValley (above), 23rd MI, mustered in in early October 1864 (age 16) and saw the elephant at Franklin. When he died at age 99 he was the last Michigan born GAR member.

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The 23rd Michigan’s flag

Lt. Col. Gilbert Pratt, 23rd Michigan Infantry

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Sidney Carlton, Company B, 23rd Michigan Infantry also survived Franklin and Nashville in late 1864.

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Damon Stewart, Captain, Company K of the 23rd Michigan Infantry, survived Franklin and the war.

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Cpl. Orson Orms Sgt. Adoniram Judson Slafter

Sgt. Nelson Hewes Co D., 23rd Michigan Infantry

Cpl. Orms of Tuscola was 31 when he enlisted on August 11, 1862 at Tuscola for 3 years. He mustered in on September 12, 1862. After mustering out at Salisbury, North Carolina on June 28, 1865 he returned to Tuscola to farm. Sgt. Slafter of Tuscola, Michigan, was 40 when he enlisted in Company D on August 12, 1862, at Vassar, Michigan for 3 years of service. He mustered in on September 12, 1862, was wounded at the battle of Campbell Station, Tennessee, on November 16, 1863, and died in a military hospital in Knoxville on December 31, 1863. He is buried in the National Cemetery at Knoxville. He left a widow, formerly Fannie Rogers Tice, and 3 children, Lois Isabel, age 8, Persis Elizabeth, age 5, and Alvina Americana, age 1. Sgt. Hewes also of Tuscola was 33 when he enlisted on August 11, 1862 at Tuscola. He was promoted to Commissary Sergeant on March 30, 1863 and then commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on December 25, 1863. He died of disease at home on March 4, 1864 and is buried in the Tuscola Cemetery.

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Merritt W. Elmore

Company C, 23rd Michigan Infantry

Merritt, from Flint, enlisted as a Sergeant, July 25, 1862, for 3 years service at age 22. Promoted to Sergeant Major August 27, 1864, then to 2nd Lieutenant of Company E on October 6, 1864 and to 1st Lieutenant on November 30, 1864. Mustered out at Salisbury, North Carolina on June 28, 1865. The button in the photo was part of his personal effects

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Civil War Diaries of Wendell D. Wiltsie, 1863 - 1865 (Company E, 23rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry). MsC78. Digitized diary. The University of Iowa. http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cwd/id/1352/rec/2

Nov Spring Hill could hear the roar of artilery nearby all the afternoon, just before we came to Spring Hill our advance was fired on by rebel pickets we formed line of battle & drove them back out Adjutant captured an assistant adjt Gen we passed through Spring Hill & lay in our cars & slept about 2 hours 30th started about 2 AM rebs made a dash on our wagon train & destroyed 12 wagons arrive in Franklin just day light march to river & get our breakfast then form a line around town (both ends resting on the river) &build works around 2 PM the enemy appear in our front they amassed their force & at 5 PM they come down upon us we hold our works by hard fighting, the rebs lost 5000 or 6000 killed & wounded & 1000 or 1500 prisoners our loss about 500 I recd a slight wound while going after cartridges

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The Civil War Archive of William G. Sherman, Company D., 23rd Michigan Infantry (Cowan auction)

58 items, 1862-1865. 23rd Michigan Infantry. Co. D. 37 soldiers’ letters. Stirred by patriotic sentiments, H.G. Sherman left his family in Watsonville, Tuscola County, Michigan, in 1862 to enlist in the 23rd Michigan Infantry, despite the opposition of his brother William. The 23rd served first near Bowling Green, Ky., attempting to suppress John Morgan and other bands of guerrillas, and working to pacify the populace. By April 1863, Sherman argued that their efforts were having good effect: "While our Armies are swarming the Southern States," he wrote, "there is a change going on among the inhabitants we are breathing in them the sentiments that will bring forth fruit in due season for the salvation of our country." But the political dispute with his copperhead brother was another matter. Sherman wrote passionately about his strong commitment to the union, his complicated view of the origin of the conflict, and his differences with his beloved brother: "I have a heart that beats in unison with all loyal men whether they have been Douglas men, Breckinridge men, or Lincoln men heretofore it matters not…. I now can see what I once used to argue that the worst feature of

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slavery consisted in the degradation of the masses of the white population thereby injureing the progress of enterprise among the many while the few profited by it, But Wm my intentions has been to use what little influence I was master of to legally stop the spread of the cursed institution and I never shall repent for doing so. But if some who voted the same ticket that I did have went illegally to meddling with the institution where it was located I am not their apologist any more than…. I have the highest regard for your political opinions however they may differ with mine But there are men of the North who speak sentiments that lacerates the soldiers heat who is now in the field when they talk of resisting the Draft for instance…" In another letter, Sherman explained his thoughts on the role of slavery in furthering the war: "who ever supposes that the leaders in this Rebellion was ever afraid of their constitutional right being interfered with are laboring under a great mistake in my candid opinion they use the negro for a pretext, But to tell the truth of the matter little do they care about slavery one way or the other, But there is nothing that they could do that would unite the masses against our Government as to tell them their negros are in danger of being taken away from them…. They used it as a political hobby both North and South and they still continue to use it for a hobby and believe the leaders of the Rebellion would never seceded in the world if Kansas had become a slave state… if I were a General in Command or the President of the United States I think that I would prosicute this war until the Rebles would lay down their arms without a whimper about slavery one way or the other." Regardless of his feelings toward politicians and the political process, Sherman took a hard line in the war, urging unity and steadfastness in crushing the rebellion. The 23rd Michigan moved into East Tennessee in the late fall 1863, marching under Ambrose Burnside in the Knoxville Campaign. His first taste of large scale battle turned out to be an embarrassing retreat, after which Sherman wrote a remarkable, long description of the engagement at Campbell’s Station: "it was 15 minutes past 11 oclock when we formed a line of Battle for to prevent the enemy from cutting us all to pieces on our retreat… we lay under a shower of balls for 4 hours and preserved our lines as long as it was necessary and then we fell back steadily under a tremendous shower of the enemy’s shell… you must know that not all of the 23rd that lay down that day before the enemy arose again both on the right and left of me I were obliged to witness some poor fellow straitened for the grave whether they ever found a grave that night or not is more than I can say, but one thing I do know that it is anything but pleasant to be where you cannot return the fire of the enemy and lay and see your comrades killed and the balls flying about your head… to hear the balls strike your comrades and hear then groan some not being able to speak…" He provided a second, slightly shorter account of the retreat on Dec. 6, and still later complained: "I never made a move since I have been in the service that hurt my feelings as that move did it looked so much like a retreat. But if it could be called a retreat it was made in perfect good order… I believe we were situated so that we could have whipped twice our number had they attacked us in our works so you see I believe the enemy never meant to give Battle while we were in our position…"

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Nor did his time in Knoxville prove any easier to swallow. On Feb. 4, 1864, he found time to describe to his family the reasons for his recent silence: "for 18 days we were besieged and during that time I have relieved our pickets in front of the enemy without a morsel of bread for 24 hours and also was not allowed any sleep. Well do I remember of looking about after something and finding where someone had killed a hog and left the lungs. You may well believe that I had a feast on broiled lungs but I had rather suffer the same again sooner than go to Lybia Prison in Richmond…" His opinion of Burnside, however, seems to have remained high. Burnside was one of "nature’s noblemen," he wrote, "could you beheld him in the field when he marched his forces to London and there finding that Longstreet had crossed the River with too strong a force for him to meet and then if you could have seen him the next day as the troops was on the retreat towards Knoxville, it would have inspired you with fresh hopes. Well do I remember marching by where there had been an old cornfield where he had stoped and dismounted appearantly to obtain a little rest there he lay with his head on some rails fast asleep…" Sherman entered hospital with illness in November 1864, advising his brother William that "if there is a call for more troops by draft and you choose to put in a substitute to clear you from the draft I will be to half of the expense." His political disagreements with William, continued to fester. "In a short time," he wrote, "I will be able to join my Regt. once more and try again the field of blood and carnage, and I am sorry to say that I believe it is likely to remain a field of blood for some time to come unless our leading politicians drop all of their old political differences and go to work wholly for the speedy prosicution of this war on one grand policy…. Believe William we soldiers who have been in the field and have had an opportunity of learning the real intention of the Rebels do not swallow Vallandingham peace policy… how do you think we can successfully put down the Rebellion by compromising with armed traitors… why the illustrious dead from many a battle field cry out to us for our support of those principles they died so manfully defending…" The collection also includes a number of fine letters describing the home front in Cattaraugus County, New York, probably from cousins or other relatives of Sherman’s. All in all a first rate collection for understanding one soldier’s strong convictions and his protracted political dispute with his brother, with insight into the conflict in East Tennessee.

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Another letter by Sherman Lebanon, KY Aug 5th 1863 composed while in pursuit of the infamous Rebel raider John Morgan, reads in part:

Brother William. Having just arrived here and finding two letters in readiness for me which you had wrote one of July 12th and one of the 26th, I have wrote you a letter but a short time ago but you said that you were lonesome and I thought I might cheer you up… You said if you were able you would like to come and see me but I would never advise you to come if you had thousands of dollars while we are on the march all the time for there is no telling when we stop to day in one place where we shall strike our camp on the morrow, since the 4 th of July we have marched over one thousand miles by water and byrail besides we marched from Tompkinsville to Mumfordsville. You will remember that we were after John Morgan the Rebel. But I guess he will not bother us very soon again…but I am getting away from my subject what I was a going to say was that you must be aware of that disease called melancholy because it is one of the worst diseases in my opinion that the human family can have therefore be cheerful under all circumstances borrow no more trouble about my welfare because you know the bible says that it is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgments. so you see if I should be killed in this context while in the prime of life I should be contented if I only had lived a Christian life before the hours of death came. there are some things that makes me desire to return home again alive and they are these. if I should die while in the service my relatives would not receive receive the intelligence as I desire they should. I never want one single tear shed for me at my death and I do not want my friend to express such anxiety about me for I am but human and liable to die in a thousand different ways. but let them put their hopes in God who is able for any emergency but I must close this time. we shall leave here tomorrow I explained that sugar matter in my other letter. please direct as before. I am enjoying the blessings of health and hope these lines may find you the same. this from your affectionate Brother, H.G. Sherman."

Sherman mustered into Company D on 12 September 1862 and mustered out on 28 June 1865 as a Sergeant. John Hunt Morgan, whom Sherman discusses in his letter, led a series of raids across the Ohio River into Indiana and Ohio. Following a devastating counterattack by Union gunboats at Buffington Island in mid-July, Morgan and his remaining men surrendered on 26 July 1863 near Salineville, Ohio. During the following two years, the 23rd Michigan Infantry saw action at Kennesaw, Atlanta and Nashville. Ink letter, measuring 5" x 8", runs 3pp. Smudges and light toning. Near fine condition.

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What Michigan artillery units saw action at Nashville 1864? 1st Michigan light arty, Co E What Michigan infantry units saw action at Nashville?

25th MI, Cooper’s Brigade [None of the men of the 25th were from Hillsdale] Could only find one reported wounded. Report of Capt. Samuel L. Demarest, Twenty-‐fifth Michigan Infantry, of operations December 15-‐16, 1864. HDQRS. TWENTY-‐FIFTH MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, Near Columbia, Tenn., December 22, 1864 CAPT.: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of this regiment on the 15th and 16th instant: On the 15th instant the regiment marched out with the First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-‐third Army Corps, and was identified with all the movements of the brigade on the right flank of the army. About 3 p.m. we supported a charge made by dismounted cavalry, in which 2 batteries of 4 guns each were captured, with a number of prisoners. Immediately after the regiment was engaged in another charge, where 3 pieces of artillery were captured. During this day 2 commissioned officers and 3 men were slightly wounded and 1 man severely wounded. During the night works were constructed; and on the 16th we supported a charge made by a portion of the Sixteenth Corps, a number of the Twenty-‐fifth Michigan taking active part in the charge, and being instrumental in taking prisoners.

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23rd MI, Moore’s Brigade Wounded (not Hillsdale boys)

28th MI, unattached The Twenty-‐eighth left Kalamazoo Oct. 26, for Louisville, Ky., and upon arrival was sent to Camp Nelson, Ky., where it took charge of a wagon train en route for Nashville, Tenn., where it arrived Dec. 5, and reported for duty to General Thomas. The regiment, under command of Colonel Wheeler, who had formerly served in the Twenty-‐third Infantry, took a gallant part in the battle of Nashville, Dec. 12 to the 16th, in repelling the confederates under General Hood, who was defeated with great loss, and driven in confusion out of the state. OR records

Only men in the 28th MI from Hillsdale

Company H Edmund R. Covey, 18

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CWD | Hillsdale list http://civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?TownDesc?MI&Hillsdale&

Grove, William H., -‐ 2nd MI Cav -‐ enlisted at age 19; died 11.12.63 of disease at Nashville. Buried in Nashville National Cemetery. Did not find in grave locator Db.

Sullivan, J. -‐ 19 at enlistment; joined the 4th MI Cav, mustered out 7/1/65 in Nashville.

Young, G.W. -‐ enlisted at age 18; 2nd MI Cav; mustered out 8/17/65

keep going . . . .

Others:

Charles H. Baker -‐ 18th MI Inf. -‐ age 29 at enlistment. died 3/12/64 at Nashville. Buried in Nashville National Cemetery. Found in grave locator Db.

PVT INFANTRY CIVIL WAR DATE OF DEATH: 03/12/1864

BURIED AT: SECTION E SITE 1596

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Resources Civil War Diaries of Wendell D. Wiltsie, 1863 - 1865 (Company E, 23rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry). MsC78. Digitized diary. The University of Iowa. http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cwd/id/1352/rec/2 A Hundred Battles in the West: St. Louis to Atlanta, 1861-65, the Second Michigan Calvary Marshall B. Thatcher Central Michigan University Library

US Army Michigan Infantry Regiment, 23rd (1861-1865)

Little, Charles D., 1832- Papers, 1837, 1903. .5 cubic ft. (in 1 box). Papers, 1837-1879, 1903, and undated, include: Civil War invoices, receipts, requisitions, lists of Quartermaster Stores, goods received, required purchases, and provision returns. Bio: Little (1832-) was a lawyer, Saginaw Circuit Court Commissioner, and Justice of the Peace. During the Civil War, he served as Quartermaster for the Michigan Infantry, 23rd Regiment, 1862-1864. Finding aid available.

US Army Michigan Infantry Regiment, 23rd (1861-1865), Company E

Oberlin, Henry, 1842-1864. Diary, 1864 [mimeographed copy of typescript] Diary with brief entries describing weather, camp life, troop movements, and military engagements. Includes an introduction by Ivan A. Conger, copyist of the original diary. Bio: Seville (Gratiot County, MI) resident who served in Company E, 23rd Michigan Infantry during the Civil War until his death from wounds received in action at Franklin (TN). Van Dusen, Harry, 1834- Papers, 1865, 1893, 1903, includes his discharge certificate, 1865; G.A.R. certificate, 1893; and letter from US. Bureau of Pensions to his widow, Hannah, 1903.

US Army Michigan Infantry Regiment, 23rd (1862-1865), Company I

Young, Charles B., 1829-1864. Correspondence, 1864, 1865. 1 folder. Correspondence from Young, includes: a letter to "Dear Father, Wife and Children," dated Oct. 30, 1864, in Chattanooga (TN), describing a lack of tents and

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equipment; eating hardtack; traveling from Jackson (MI) to Indianapolis (Ind.), Louisville (Ky.), and Nashville (TN); men in his unit from Gratiot and Shiawassee Counties, and lots of Confederate prisoners of war. Letter "No. 2" from Nashville (TN), dated Nov. 8, 1864, describes a trip to Atlanta (Ga.) from Chattanooga (TN), burnt locomotives, devastated country, hopes that the war will end, and Young asks his wife to kiss his children daily. A note from Young in Nashville (TN), dated Dec. 7, 1864, describes good food, a skirmish, signs of campfires, many sick, and that all but two of his tent-mates are hospitalized.

His last letter to "Dear Family," dated Dec. 22, 1864, notes that his comrades drove Rebels father back, captured troops and artillery, were on night maneuvers, the battlefields were covered with dead and wounded soldiers, rain soaked supplies, and that he has been sick. The last letter is from John S. Young, Charles' brother, to "Dear Father," dated Feb. 28, 1865, and notes that he received Father's letter about Charles' death, his sorrow for Charles' wife (Elmira) and children, and that he will try to send money and get Charles' back pay. There is also a photocopy of Charles' service record. Bio: Charles Young enlisted in Company I, 23rd Michigan Infantry in Coe Township (Isabella County, MI) in 1864, at age 35. He was mustered on Sept. 22, 1864 and joined the regiment on Nov. 12, 1865. He died of disease in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10, 1865, and was buried at the National Cemetery in Arlington (Va.).

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USAHMI

Photos in the USAHMI database of the 23rd MI http://cdm16635.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/search/collection/p16635coll20/searchterm/23rd%20michigan/field/title/mode/all/conn/and/order/title/ad/asc

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Documents

Hillsdale in the Civil War - Middle TN