THE WAY IT WAS
Michigan in the Civil War, Part 2
by Al Eicher

On May 16, the 1st Mich. Infantry Regiment arrives in Washington. President Lincoln greets our troops and is known to say, “Thank God for Michigan.” By August 1, 1861, Michigan has 16,475 volunteers, filling their quota needed to form 14 Regiments. Some 1,300 of these men joined regiments in other states. Their reason for joining, out of state, could have been the recruitment bonuses were higher. At this time, the Michigan legislature grants $15 a month to a dependent family, whose husband or son is in service. Michigan soldiers are getting about $13 a month in pay. At this time, two Michigan women, posing as men, volunteer for military service.

In July, a young man from Monroe is a cadet at West Point. He gets orders to report to Washington; his name is George Custer. He is promoted to Captain at the Battle of Bull Run. In August, William Seele, a fifer and his two very young twin boys, who are drummers, join the 11th Mich. Inf. and serve as musicians in Company “E”. The twins will be returned to Traverse City 14 months later due to the death of their father.

At the Algonac shipyards, a side wheeler, called the Philo Parsons was being built, which will be involved in a hijacking by confederate soldiers on Lake Erie. By September 1861, the Michigan 7th Regiment leaves from Monroe. James Terrell of Lapeer is now Captain of Company “G” of the Lapeer Guard in the 7th Regiment. Soldiers leaving the train station receive refreshments and carry fruits and vegetables to the troops in the battle zones. Michigan women, who are now operating the farms while their husbands are in military service, promote a “Potato and Onion Day” for the collection of these items to be sent to the fighting men.

In November, Camp Anderson at Grand Rapids becomes the mustering point for the 3rd Michigan Cavalry and by March 10, 1862, Camp Barker at Niles is the mustering center for the 12th Michigan Infantry. At this time people are beginning to realize the war is not getting over and now finding recruits is becoming a problem. A bonus program was developed on a county by county basis, also called bounty. Soldiers could enlist in another county for a bigger bonus if offered. In 1862, Oakland County raised $586,556.98 for bounty in support of the war. By the time the war was over, 3,700 men from Oakland served…400 died. Some men re-enlisted to get $300 to $400 bonuses. In Saginaw, there was a recruiting station next to the Bancroft Hotel; according to the local newspaper it is “the hottest spot in town” referring to the bonus offers. Saginaw County, to meet their volunteer quota, raised $7,500 to pay bounties.

On Saturday April 5, 1862, at Shiloh, the 12th Michigan Infantry are caught in a surprise attack while they were having breakfast. Due to this attack nearly half of the volunteers from Niles are killed. At the Normal School in Ypsilanti, a writing campaign by Austin George, announces the need to find 100 volunteers for a three-year enlistment. Students from the University in Ann Arbor plus the local high school and the Normal school fill the requirement to form Company “E” of the 17th Michigan Regiment. Many of the students were active in choral groups in their schools. Company “E” sang songs when they marched and readied for battle and therefore became known as the “Singing Company.” They will be involved in battle campaigns in Tennessee, Virginia and Mississippi, traveling 2,100 miles before they are mustered out of service.

Native Indians of Michigan helped greatly in the Northern cause. An all Indian group from Little Traverse Bay was formed called Co. “K” of the First Michigan Sharpshooters. In late 1863, a military hospital was authorized for Michigan at Detroit. After the war, the facility became known as Harper Hospital and soon after began serving the general public.

On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln announces the Emancipation Proclamation, and on this day black men are authorized to enlist in the Northern Army. At this time 1,500 black men live in Wayne County; the 102nd U.S. Colored Regiment is formed. Camp Ward is then established at Detroit in poorly constructed barracks near Elmwood Cemetery.

At Gettysburg, 1863, Lt. Benjamin Partridge of Bay City with his 1st Mich. Lancers were in the heat of the battle with hand-to-hand combat at Little Round Top. He will become a Brig. General and be Bay City’s highest ranking officer of the War.

Following the battle at Gettysburg, President Lincoln, on Friday, November 19,, gives his famous speech at the dedication of the Military Cemetery at Gettysburg. In earlier February 1864, Brigadier General George Custer is on furlough in Monroe, Michigan. He is there to marry Libbie Bacon. Three hundred guests attend the wedding at the Monroe Presbyterian Church. The wedding reception is held at the home of Libbie’s parents, Daniel and Sophia Bacon.

No one expected the War to take four years to end. Generals Custer and Sheridan pursued Lee’s retreat and on Palm Sunday, April 9, 1865, General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House. There are hundreds of interesting stories about Michigan Volunteers in key places during the war that we could tell...the facts indicate 98,000 Michigan men answered the call. William Fenton, after the war, became Lt. Governor of Michigan and the town of Fenton is named in his honor. In 1891, Michigan Civil War veterans petition the City of Detroit to establish a meeting hall for the GAR…The Grand Army of the Republic. A building was constructed at the corner of Cass Ave. and Grand River; the building is still there today.

In July of 2007, I decided to spend one week traveling to the major Civil War Battlefields. My wife, Kathryn, read the maps and we drove about 1,100 miles during the hottest week of the summer. We were at Gettysburg, in the wheat fields, also at Chancellorsville, Antietam, Spottsylvania, Harper's Ferry, Manassas Junction and Fredricksburg. Visiting these battlefields was a great experience. I videotaped the monuments, walked the hills and wandered in the woods of these battle zones. You quickly develop a real appreciation for their efforts, knowing the hardships and living conditions these men and women went through during the war years.

The nation mourned greatly during the long four years and celebrated when it ended, and then a few days later the President’s death puts the country in mourning again. As we know, this event in history would not be the last president we mourn…and That’s The Way It Was.

Al and Dave Eicher provide television production services to corporations, ad agencies and nonprofit organizations. They also create Michigan town histories and offer lecture services on a variety of Michigan History Events. You may contact them at 248-333-2010; E-mail: info@program-source.com; Web site: www.program-source.com; Address: PSI, P.O. Box 444, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303.