Michigan Civil War Blog

Second Day of Michigan at Shiloh

The Archives of Michigan has a post on the State's involvement at the Battle of Shiloh, based on an article in Michigan History magazine from some years ago: Shiloh at Archives

Michigan at Shiloh

What was Michigan’s involvement in the Battle of Shiloh, which began 140 years ago today?

Several units were present: Battery B, 1st Michigan Light Artillery; 12th Michigan Infantry; 13th Michigan Infantry; and 15th Michigan Infantry. On the front of the Michigan monument, placed there in 1918, is a plaque with this text: 

-- THIS MONUMENT is erected and dedicated by THE PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN to the memory of HER SOLDIERS who fought and fell in THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. The 12th MICHIGAN INFANTRY met the first Confederate line in the early morning of April 6, 1862, and helped to resist its sudden advance. 27 killed, 54 wounded, 109 missing - total, 190 men. The 15th MICHIGAN INFANTRY, unassigned, although not supplied with ammunition, moved to the front as the battle opened, endeavoring to meet the Confederates with bayonets, but was forced to return to the Landing for ammunition, after which it "fought with conspicuous gallantry" until the close of the battle. Losing 23 killed, 74 wounded, 5 missing - total, 102 men. ROSS' BATTERY B, MICHIGAN LIGHT ARTILLERY was conspicuous in the desperate struggles of the first day in the "Peach Orchard" and near the "Bloody Pond", fighting until ordered to retire. While preparing to execute this order, it was changed and captured by Confederate cavalry within a few feet of this monument, losing four of its six guns. Losses: 5 wounded, 56 missing - total, 102 men. More enduring than this granite will be the gratitude of Michigan to her soldiers of Shiloh. --

The monument does not mention that the 13th Michigan Infantry was also present, since “It was assigned to Wood's division of General Buell's army, then marched to Pittsburgh Landing to reinforce General Grant, when they arrived there at the close of the two days fighting.” (Source: Robertson, Michigan in the War)  It was part of the 20th Brigade (James A. Garfield, commanding) of the 6th Division of the Army of the Ohio. 

Then there’s a person not always associated with Michigan’s involvement, David Stuart. Who? According to the Elmwood Cemetery website, “David Stuart was the second child of Robert Stuart, a fur trader and partner of John Jacob Astor. He attended Amherst College and graduated in 1838. In 1842, Stuart was admitted to the Michigan Bar and was appointed Detroit City Attorney. Stuart was appointed Wayne County Prosecutor in 1844. As the Democratic candidate, he was elected to Congress from the Michigan First District. At the end of his term in 1855, he retired from politics and moved to Chicago as one of the attorneys for the Illinois Central Railroad.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Stuart set out to raise troops. He raised two regiments of 1,000 men each and equipped them from his own funds. On July 22, 1861, Stuart was elected Lt. Colonel of the 1st Douglas Regiment and on October 31, he was elected Colonel of the 55th Regiment. Colonel Stuart was in command of a brigade in Sherman’s division at the Battle of Shiloh where he was severely wounded. On December 2, 1862, President Lincoln appointed David Stuart, Brigadier General. The appointment was not confirmed by Congress and Stuart resigned his commission. He returned to Detroit and resumed his law practice. He died on September 12, 1868.” His burial location: Elmwood, in Detroit.

Anything else about his service? According to the National Park Service, “Each side produced many heroes that bloody day at Shiloh. Col. David Stuart, fighting a prewar reputation as a scoundrel, would be one of them.” (see http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/civil_war_series/22/sec6.htm)

There’s obviously quite a story here, but it is altogether to quote from Sherman’s battle report:

“My Second Brigade, Colonel Stuart, was detached near 2 miles from my headquarters. He had to fight his own battle on Sunday, as the enemy interposed between him and General Prentiss early in the day. Colonel Stuart was wounded severely, and yet reported for duty on Monday morning, but was compelled to leave during the day ….”

He died only 52 years of age on September 12, 1868.

Upcoming: Michigan Day at Antietam

The Michigan Historical Commission has accepted the invitation of the National Park Service unit at Antietam National Battlefield Park to plan and host a 150th day commemoration of the role of Michigan in the Antietam campaign. The date of the event on the battlefield will be August 26, 2012, a Sunday. Events will be planned for Saturday the 25th, as well, focusing on the Lost Order and the Stonewall Regiment. Over 100 graves are extant in the Michigan section of the National Cemetery. Israel Richardson and other officers lost their lives on the battleground. The Union victory enabled President Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation just days later.

Planning is being to proceed, with the hope of having as many Michiganders and those interested in Michigan's role in attendance. Questions and ideas are welcome.

This promises to be a 'signature' event.

Battle of Mill Springs

Termed by some the first significant Union victory in the Western theater, it was fought 150 years ago today. Present but not engaged were Companies D, F, and G of the 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics. They would go on to play a much bigger role in Union victory.

Several days later, this communique was sent around the North, evidence of how a new Secretary of War would help prosecute the conflict:

WAR DEPARTMENT, January 22, 1862 

The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, has received information of a brilliant victory achieved by the United States forces over a large body of armed traitors and rebels, at Mill Spring, in the State of Kentucky. He returns thanks to the gallant officers and soldiers who won that victory; and when the official reports shall be received, the military skill and personal valor displayed in battle will be acknowledged and rewarded in a fitting manner. The courage that encountered and vanquished the greatly superior numbers of the rebel force, pursued and attacked them in their intrenchments, and paused not until the enemy was completely routed, merits and receives commendation. The purpose of this war is to pursue and destroy a rebellious enemy, and to deliver the country from danger. Menaced by traitors, alacrity, daring, courageous spirit, and patriotic zeal, on all occasions and under every circumstance, are expected from the army of the United States. In the prompt and spirited movements and daring at the battle of Mill Spring the nation will realize its hopes ; and the people of the United States will rejoice to honor every soldier and officer who proves his courage by charging with the bayonet, and storming intrenchments, or in the blaze of the enemy's fire. By order of the President.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War

 

First of many battles

Today is the 150th anniversary of the first great (though it would soon pale by comparison) battle of the Civil War. At a stream known as Bull Run, Federal troops were defeated by Confederate forces after initially appearing to carry the field. The First, Second, and Third Michigan Infantry were involved, with the First making the furthest incursion into the rebel lines, with its commander, Orlando Willcox, suffering a wound and capture. His report would not be made, therefore, for a year. The brigade commander of the other two units made this report:

Reports of Col. Israel B. Richardson, Second Michigan Infantry, commanding Fourth Brigade, First Division.

CAMP FOURTH BRIGADE, TYLER'S DIV.,

GEN. McDOWELL'S CORPS,

Near Arlington, July 25, 1861.

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report as to the operations of my brigade in front of the enemy at Bull Run, on Sunday, July 21:

On the night of the 20th July I was summoned to attend a meeting of commanders of brigades at the headquarters of the commanding officer in the field, General McDowell, and, in common with the other commanders of brigades, I was instructed what was expected of my portion of the command on the following day--that is, I was to defend the position which I then occupied in front of the enemy, called Blackburn's Ford, and about one mile in his front, where we had been for the last three days. I was also ordered to consider myself under the command of Col. D. S. Miles, U.S. Army, who was to command his own brigade at Centreville, my own, and that of Colonel Davies, midway between the two, these three brigades constituting what was then called the reserve.

Attached to my brigade was the field battery of Major Hunt, U.S. Army, and also the rifled battery of 10-pounders, under Lieutenant Greene, U.S. Army. I was ordered to open fire on the enemy for the purpose of making a diversion, not before, but soon after, hearing the report of General Tyler's cannonade on my right, to carry out which purpose I made the following disposition of the brigade: Two batteries I placed on the ridge of a hill, in view of the enemy; the Third Michigan Infantry on the left of the road, in line of battle. Still farther, six hundred yards to the left, on a commanding eminence, I had placed the day before two companies of the First Massachusetts Regiment, for the purpose of holding the log barn and the frame barn, which companies pushed, picket style, farther to our left for the security of that point, which I considered a good position for artillery. In a ravine half way between the two positions I placed also a company of the First Massachusetts Regiment, which pushed pickets down the ravine to its front; and on the extreme right of all I placed the balance of the Massachusetts regiment in line of battle, with two companies of that regiment pushed four hundred yards to the right and front, which two companies again threw pickets in advance. The New York and Second Michigan Regiments I placed in the road five hundred yards in rear of the line as a reserve.

Soon after making these arrangements, which I did on hearing the report of artillery on our right, Colonel Davies' brigade made its appearance, with him at its head. Inquiring of me the date of my commission, he found that he ranked me by ten days, and he assumed the command. That officer wished a good position for artillery to open, and I immediately proposed the position on our left, near the log house, from which a good view of a large stone barn, called by the people of the country the enemy's headquarters, could be obtained. Colonel Davies brought up with him the rifled 20-pounder battery of Lieutenant Benjamin, and ordered it to open fire immediately. He directed, also, Hunt's battery to his assistance, and I ordered Greene's battery to open its fire at the same time. The enemy appeared to have withdrawn his guns from that position, as he returned no fire, or he might have been reserving his fire for the last attack. An hour's cannonading, however, brought in view a column of the enemy's infantry, which I observed with my glass. There were at least twenty-five hundred men; and soon after two other bodies of men, of at least a regiment each, who soon occupied the lines on the other side of the run, which lines already appeared full to overflowing. Supposing now that they intended to make a push across our front in column, or would endeavor to turn our left, about 11 o'clock a.m. I began to fortify my position by throwing up an earthen parapet, with embrasures across the road for three guns, and commenced an abatis of timber, by felling trees, pointing outwards, between this battery and the log house to the left.

About this time the enemy on the opposite side appeared to be falling back in confusion from our right attack, which continued for some time, and then the tide changed, and they seemed to be returning in large masses.

During the interval between these two extremes I was ordered by Colonel Miles to throw forward skirmishers and feel the enemy, and accordingly two companies of the Third Michigan Regiment were sent forward and down the ravine, to cover our front and advance; these were supported by Captain Brethschneider's light infantry battalion, which also advanced down the ravine, accompanied by Lieutenant Prime, Corps of U.S. Engineers, who went for the purpose of ascertaining the enemy's position, he volunteering his services for that particular purpose. Colonel Davies also threw forward a company of skirmishers on his right. The enemy's skirmishers were in force in the woods in front, and covered themselves with trees and rifle-pits which had been thrown up before. Our two advance companies were driven back; the enemy pursued, and were in turn driven back by the spherical case shot of Greene's battery, and I ordered back the light infantry and also the two companies to their former position. The company in front of Colonel Davies' command retired about the same time.

By 5 o'clock p.m. I had the battery and the abatis nearly completed, making my defenses as secure as the short time and few implements used would permit. No enemy appeared in force at my front with a disposition to assault, but about this time a heavy column of infantry appeared to the left of Colonel Davies, in a ravine, moving up to the attack. This brigade opened a heavy fire upon them, and gallantly drove them back, as he informed me afterwards. During this firing, which was soon after 5 o'clock, I received orders from Colonel Miles, through one of his staff, to retreat upon Centreville, and endeavor to hold that position. I immediately collected together my brigade, and put it in motion on the road towards Centreville, when a staff officer proposed to me to throw my regiment in line, face towards the enemy between the house occupied the night before by Hunt's battery and the Union and Centreville road, in which road the enemy was supposed to be advancing. I had gained a position near the desired point when I was met by Colonel Davies, who informed me that he had beaten the enemy handsomely in front. I told him I had been ordered back to Centreville by Colonel Miles; that the rest of my brigade had gone on; that I had been directed to go to that point with my regiment for the purpose of facing the enemy there, which I had done, and Colonel Davies returned, as I supposed, to his brigade. Soon after this I was met by a staff officer of General McDowell's, who told me to put my brigade in position on the left of the road from Centreville to Blackburn’s Ford, and stretching towards the Union and Centreville road, facing the enemy. Other troops had also fallen back to this point, distant about a mile from Centreville.

At about 6 o'clock p.m. Captain Alexander, of the Corps of Engineers, directed me, by the order of General McDowell, to take the general arrangement of the troops at that point in my own hands, he suggesting as a good line of defense a line between a piece of woods on the right and one on the left, the line facing equally towards the enemy, who were supposed to be coming either on the Union or Blackburn road. I immediately formed that line as I best could of the regiments nearest the position, placing the men in the ravines and the artillery as much as possible on the hills in rear of the infantry.

Before Captain Alexander gave me this last direction, I learned that Colonel Miles had altered the position of some regiments which I had placed before, especially the Third Michigan Regiment, which I had ordered to form close column by division, to remain as a reserve, and await further orders from me. The officer in command of the regiment at that time, Lieutenant-Colonel Stevens (Colonel McConnell being unwell, but on the ground), immediately executed that order, and put his regiment in close column. I went to another part of the field, and on returning found this regiment deployed in line of battle, and in another position. I inquired of Colonel Stevens the reason of their position being altered. He told me that Colonel Miles had directed this movement. I asked him why. Colonel Stevens replied, "I do not know, but we have no confidence in Colonel Miles." I inquired the reason, and Colonel Stevens replied, "Because Colonel Miles is drunk." That closed the conversation. I sent Colonel Stevens back with his regiment to form close column by division, as at first. I then reported to Captain Alexander that I had been interfered with in my disposition of the troops during the day, and I could not carry out General McDowell's orders as long as I was interfered with by a drunken man. Captain Alexander then said that General McDowell now rested the whole disposition of the troops with me, and that I must use my own judgment. I went to place another battalion in line, when I was met by Colonel Miles, who ordered me to form that regiment in another direction. I replied that I should obey no more orders that he might see fit to give me. Colonel Miles then said, "Colonel Richardson, I shall put you in arrest." I told him I never should obey his arrest, and that he never could put me in that position. Colonel Miles answered that he "did not understand this." I made no reply, and went on with the further disposition of the forces, which was done according to the inclosed diagram.*   [*not found]

As soon as the line of battle was well formed the enemy's cavalry made his appearance on the Centreville and Manassas road. I ordered Lieutenant Benjamin to open his rifled cannon upon them, which he did, and the cavalry disappeared after a few shots. It was now nearly dark, and the troops encamped in their present position. About 10 o'clock General McDowell informed me that a retreat was resolved upon; that the troops must be started on the road to Fairfax as soon as possible, and ordered me to move last and cover the retreat of the Army with my brigade. I told the general I would do so, and would stand by him as long as any man would. I left with my brigade at 2 o'clock a.m., after all the other regiments and batteries had retired. On reaching Fairfax I found it abandoned by our troops, and I covered the rear, bringing up my brigade in good order, the New York regiment in front, then the Massachusetts regiment, the two Michigan regiments in rear of the whole. Arrived at Arlington at 2 o'clock p.m. on Monday after the action.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

I. B. RICHARDSON,

Colonel, Commanding Fourth Brigade.

My brigade in general behaved itself nobly, and always stood firm. Of my staff, Mr. Eastman, first lieutenant, U.S. Army, did his duty to my satisfaction. Lieutenant Brightly, U.S. Army, was sick and unable to perform much duty, but did all he could. Cadet John R. Meigs, U.S. Military Academy, acted as my volunteer aide, carried my orders promptly, and a braver and more gallant young man was never in any service. I most earnestly recommend him to be appointed at once a lieutenant in the Regular Army. Lieutenant Prime, Corps of Engineers, was continually in the performance of his every duty, and the medical staff were assiduous in their attendance upon the wounded.

I. B. RICHARDSON,

Colonel, Commanding Fourth Brigade.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEP'T N. E. VIRGINIA, HDQRS. FOURTH BRIGADE,

August 11, 1861.

CAPTAIN: Permit me to correct an unintentional error that has crept into Brigadier-General McDowell's official report of the engagement of 21st July.

By command of Brigadier-General McDowell, given me in presence of Colonel Jackson, Eighteenth New York Volunteers, and of Captain Whipple, of the Engineer Corps, to conduct the retreat and to cover the retreat with my brigade, I did so cover the retreat from Centreville. I brought up the rear with my brigade in the following order: Twelfth New York leading, followed by First Massachusetts; the Third Michigan, taking up position, kept in the rear and followed by the Second Michigan. About one mile this side of Centreville we were obliged to halt on account of other regiments, and the Second Michigan then took the position of the Third Michigan, and thus marching in good order we reached Arlington about 4 o'clock on Monday, the 22d, and went into camp, having moved in rear of all other regiments and batteries. At Fairfax we were so far in rear that no troops (of our own forces) were in sight. Will you do my brigade the credit of this correction?

Truly,

I. B. RICHARDSON,

Colonel,

By LARNED,

Lieutenant-Colonel.

Capt. JAMES B. FRY,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Arlington. 

[O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 2, pp. 373-377]

First blood

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the first engagement in which Michigan troops suffered from enemy fire. At the skirmish at Blackburn's Ford, troops of the Second and Third Michigan Infantry went into action, two of whom were wounded. The report of the Second's commander, who was in command of the brigade, follows:

Report of Col. Israel B. Richardson, Second Michigan Infantry, of action at Blackburn's Ford.

CAMP 4TH BRIG., 1ST DIV., GENERAL MCDOWELL'S CORPS,

In Front of Blackburn's Ford, on Bull Run, July 19, 1861.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that I left the camp at Germantown at an early hour yesterday morning, my brigade consisting of the Second and Third Michigan Regiments, the First Massachusetts Regiment, and Twelfth New York. A battalion of light infantry, consisting of forty men from each regiment, one hundred and sixty in all, and commanded by Captain Robert Brethschneider, of the Second Regiment of Michigan Infantry, moved in front of the brigade some five hundred yards in advance, and threw pickets still farther in advance on the road. A section of 20-pounder rifled guns, commanded by Lieutenant Benjamin, of the Second Artillery, moved in rear of the light battalion. The march of the column was slow, so as to prevent surprise. No enemy appeared at Centreville, thee miles from camp, he having abandoned his entrenchments the night before.

On advancing one mile in front of Centreville, I came to a halt near some springs to procure water for the brigade, and General Tyler and myself left with a squadron of cavalry and two companies of infantry, for the purpose of making a reconnaissance to the front, which, on arriving one mile in front of Blackburn's Ford, proved that the enemy had a battery in rear of the run, so as to enfilade the road. He had also strong pickets of infantry and skirmishing parties occupying the woods and houses in front of his position. The battalion of light infantry was now ordered to deploy five hundred yards in front of the eminence upon which this camp is situated, and a position at once taken by the rifled guns, which now opened their fire. This fire was not answered by the enemy until several rounds had been fired, and I pushed forward the skirmishers to the edge of the woods, they driving in those of the enemy in fine style, and then brought up the First Massachusetts Regiment to their support, the skirmishers still advancing into the woods.

Captain Brackett's squadron of the Second Cavalry, and two 12-pounder howitzers, commanded by Captain Ayres, Fifth U. S. Artillery, now moved up into an opening in the woods in support. The enemy also opened another battery, more to our left, so as to cross-fire with the other upon the road. I ordered up at this time the Twelfth New York Regiment, Colonel Walrath, to the left of our battery, and it being formed in line of battle, I directed it to make a charge upon their position, the skirmishers still pushing forward and drawing the enemy's fire, but keeping themselves well covered. I now left the position of the Twelfth New York Regiment, to place upon the right of the battery the Massachusetts and Second and Third Michigan Regiments, when a very heavy fire of musketry and artillery was opened by the enemy along his whole line. On moving towards our left, I found that the Twelfth New York Regiment had fallen back out of the woods in disorder, only parts of two companies, some sixty men in all, remaining in line, and retreating. The howitzers and also the cavalry had been withdrawn. Our left was thus exposed, although the skirmishers still held the ground in the woods, and the three remaining regiments on the right remained firm and determined.

I now reported to General Tyler that the main body of the New York regiment had fallen back in confusion, and I proposed to make a charge with the three remaining regiments for the purpose of carrying the enemy's position. The general replied that the enemy were in large force and strongly fortified, and a further attack was unnecessary; that it was merely a reconnaissance which he had made; that he had found where the strength of the enemy lay, and ordered me to fall back in good order to our batteries on the hill, which we did, the enemy closing his fire before we left the ground, and not venturing to make an effort to follow us.

Our batteries on the hill now opened fire, sustained by the Second Michigan Regiment on the right, in close column by division, the other two regiments forming line of battle on the left. The New York regiment after some time formed under cover of the woods in rear. In this affair our skirmishers advanced so close to the enemy's works and batteries that two mounted officers were killed inside the breastworks, and one of our men was shot through the shoulder with a revolver by one of the enemy's officers, and one of their cannoneers was bayoneted by one of our men while the former was engaged in loading his gun. Our skirmishers also, in falling back, had several of their wounded bayoneted, by order of one the enemy's officers.

The enemy's entrenchments and batteries appeared to be in rear of a creek called Bull run. The batteries on the extreme right of their line were on high ground, and fired over the heads of their infantry in front. At night we fell back to Centreville for water and rations, and this morning have again occupied our ground upon the hill in front of the enemy, they being in large force, and having their pickets and skirmishers in the woods and in front of them, as yesterday. I have the honor also to inclose a statement of our loss incident to this affair.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. B. RICHARDSON,

Colonel, Commanding Fourth Brigade, First Division.

[Inclosure.]

Casualties at Blackburn's Ford.

…

Second Michigan Infantry  Wounded, Enlisted Men, 1

Third Michigan Infantry      Wounded, Enlisted Men, 1

…

[OR, Series 1 - Volume 2, pp. 312-314]

Gettysburg Casino Rejected

Good news arrived yesterday that the PA Gaming board had rejected a casino to be located a half-mile from Gettysburg National Military Park, adjacent to South Cavalry Field. The Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee went on record in a letter to the board with its opposition to the project last July 12, a copy of which can be found on this blog.

So Michigan's plea that the board "respect the field of honor where Elon Farnsworth died for his country" was honored. Very gratifying, indeed.

Michigan letter re Gettysburg Casino

Mr. Gregory C. Fajt, Chairman

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

P.O. Box 69060

Harrisburg, PA 17106-9060

 

Dear Chairman Fajt:

 

I am writing as chairman of the Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee to express concern over the gaming application proposed by the Mason-Dixon Resort & Casino for a site near Gettysburg National Military Park.

 

The Committee is charged with helping develop and implement the Civil War Sesquicentennial Work Plan approved by the Michigan Historical Commission.  One of the components of that Work Plan is to secure appropriate recognition and veneration for the ultimate sacrifice made on behalf of our Nation by one of Michigan's own, Brevet Brigadier General Elon John Farnsworth, commander of the First Brigade of the Third Cavalry Division of the United States Army of the Potomac.  General Farnsworth was killed in combat on the afternoon of the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg in an area of the Park commonly known as South Cavalry Field near the Emmitsburg Road.  This Field is that part of the Park closest to -- indeed, less than a mile from -- the proposed casino location on that same historic route to and from the battlefield.

 

One historical account describes how "the gallant Farnsworth fell, heroically leading a charge of his brigade, against the rebel infantry" by suffering "five mortal wounds." 

 

The field where General Farnsworth fell is hallowed ground.  As Michigan works to secure proper commemoration and preservation of this site during its Civil War Sesquicentennial, any development that would increase nearby commercial activity should receive the strictest scrutiny and be held to a high standard to maintain the dignity of an irreplaceable location so vital to our Nation's heritage.  In February 2007, the Board rejected a Gettysburg gaming application, finding "The Gettysburg area itself is primarily a rural area without large population centers nearby to sustain the casino …."  That finding of fact remains unchanged.  Furthermore, that site was 2.5 miles from the eastern edge of the Park, compared to the site so close to where Farnsworth fell.

 

Please respect the field of honor where Elon Farnsworth died for his country.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sailor's Creek discovery

Having discovered recently that historian and VA battlefield parks expert Chris Calkins hails from the Great Lake State, a call with him was definitely in order. There were surprises: his accent sounds very much like he was born in VA, and his wife is from the south! Both were pleasant 'shocks'. He is now at the Virginia State battlefied site of Sailor's Creek, where he's working to bring it up to a much higher level of attention, quality, and experience.

In reply to a question about any unique Michigan connections, Mr. C replied: "check out the CWPT website and see how the Trust not long ago saved a key portion of land where Stagg's Michigan troops were involved." So, here is the map link that proves him right: CWPT. Custer's Michigan brigade of cavalry were under command of Col. Peter Stagg, since the Boy General had been moved up the command ladder.

Without really focusing on it, the 2009 invitation to help save 35 acres meant preserving battleground where Michiganders -- and their horses -- had trod was a great thing, greater than remembered. Sure glad the invite wasn't thrown in the trash.

BTW, the 'find-a-grave' website reports on the good colonel this:

Burial:Cedar Lawn Cemetery
Paterson
Passaic County
New Jersey, USA
Plot: Section 2, Lot 245 

Native Michigander discovers missing battlefield

Another story from CWPT's CW news "Roundup":

“Missing” Appomattox Station Battlefield Discovered and Preserved
By Duffie Taylor

1/31/2010
The Lynchburg News & Advance (VA)
http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/lifestyles/features/article/discovery_of_appomattox_station_battlefield_provides_historical_missing_lin/23631/

Longtime Civil War historian Chris Calkins began looking for the lost battlefield of Appomattox Station in the early 1970s.

Back then, he and many other Civil War buffs feared the site of the April 8, 1865, battle was buried somewhere under asphalt in the Town of Appomattox.

“We have always assumed the battle was up near the Triangle Shopping Center (in Appomattox) and they had already bulldozed that area so we couldn’t test it,” Calkins said.

Still, he continued his search — first, through a store of written archives and then, on the grounds of Appomattox, with a copy of a Union soldier’s sketched map and a metal detector.

Calkins’ work paid off when he located the battlefield years later on a 47-acre tract owned by Jamerson Trucking Company.

Luckily, Calkins said, the site was largely undeveloped and he was able to verify his discovery through the artillery remnants that he unearthed on the property.

This month, Calkins’ quest came full circle when the 47-acre tract was purchased by The Civil War Preservation Trust, a national organization devoted to preserving old battlefields.

The trust’s spokeswoman, Mary Koik, said that the battlefield’s preservation would not have been possible without Calkins.

“I give Chris Calkins credit for combing through that tremendous amount of information and finding the battlefield,” she said. “Popular wisdom was that it had been lost.”

A Detroit native, Calkins said his fascination with the Civil War began early.

At 20, he took a seasonal job in the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, where he played a Union soldier in the park’s living history program.

The summer job turned into a lifelong stay when he was introduced to his future wife at the town’s Dairy Queen.

“They say you’re either a Virginian by birth, marriage or choice,” Calkins said. “Well, I’m a Virginian by the latter two.”

Calkins has since devoted his life to the study of the Civil War, with a particular focus on the war’s last two battles in Appomattox.

Now the park manager of Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park, Calkins has written several books on how the two battles shaped the war’s end.

He said that discovering the battlefield of Appomattox Station provided the missing link in the events leading up to General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865.

The battle between the Union Cavalry, led by General George Custer, and Confederate Artillery, headed by General Lindsey Walker, “was another nail in the coffin” for the Confederates and, ultimately, paved the way to the battle of Appomattox Court House and Lee’s surrender the following day, he said.

Before the discovery, the story of the Civil War’s end was incomplete, said Appomattox County Tourism Director Anne Dixon.

“Your visitors were missing the middle piece,” she said. “This piece of the story completes it.”

Calkins said that Custer’s destruction of three Confederate supply trains and the battle that ensued from it were directly accountable for Lee’s surrender.

“That was Lee’s last chance to get out of it,” he said.

Koik said that the trust eventually plans to turn over the battlefield to a steward that will maintain its preservation and spur visitors’ interest in the site.

The National Park Service is a likely candidate, she said.

Securing the historical site in time for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War is an important achievement for the area, said the town’s tourism director, Will Simmons.

“(It) provides a tremendous impetus for people to preserve this land while they still can,” Simmons said.
“Soon, the opportunity will be gone.”

****************
Chris Calkins inadvertently stumbled upon the lost battlefield of Appomattox Station while searching for what he believed was a Union army campsite.

He was led there by a sentence in the Official Report of Brig. Gen. Alfred Gibbs: “The brigade camped for a night (April 9) at a wood near Martin’s house, one mile in the rear of Appomattox Court House.” Calkins then referred to a 1867 topographical map of the “Appomattox Court House and Vicinity” and identified two houses next to each other, each named Martin.

Armed with this information, Calkins looked at a present-day map of the area and, surprisingly, found that the two houses were still there, tucked away behind a school and trucking company in the town of Appomattox.

Calkins then went to scout out the property with a metal detector and, to his surprise, began turning up iron canister rounds and other artillery remnants. It turned out that the camp Calkins had originally sought was in another area entirely and misidentified by Gibbs as “Martin’s” when, in fact, the house was named “Morton’s.” The mishap, however, led Calkins to the lost battlefield of Appomattox Station, which he later confirmed with the aid of a diary sketch by Union cavalryman Roger Hannaford.

Chris Calkins, who wrote of his discovery in The Civil War Preservation Trust’s ‘Hallowed Ground’ magazine, in an article titled ‘In Search of the Battle of Appomattox Station.’

[This final sentence must have accompanied a picture that is missing from the Trust's email.]