Michigan Civil War Blog

Commemorating the death of Israel Richardson, Major General, U.S. Volunteers

Nov. 3rd is the date, and 3:00 p.m. is the time, set aside for an event at the historical grave site of Civil War Gen. Israel Richardson in Oak Hill Cemetery, Pontiac. The ceremony honors the 150th anniversary of Richardson's death. See a brief video story here: Oakland Press

Paint Creek Cemetery Walking Tour

The Oakland Township Historical Society is hosting "Michigan's Civil War Sacrifices," a program by author Jack Dempsey with cemetery walk, telling soldier stories in the Paint Creek Cemetery in Oakland Township, located just north of Lake George Road on the east side of Orion Road. In the event of a hard rain the program will be moved to Cranberry Lake Farm, 388 W. Predmore Rd., in Oakland Township.  Please bring a folding chair. Cider and donuts will be served.

Antietam memento -- last call

We have a few left ... get your limited edition souvenir and contribute to the Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial with a $30 donation (shipping included) -- no public moneys go to support this commemoration -- before they're gone for all time. Use the comment box to advise of your interest.

 

On the way to the dedication...

I passed this site, which has six stories that deserve notice:

  Cherry Hill Cemetery, Wayne County, Michigan
Union Civil War Veterans

Cherry Hill Cemetery
South of Cherry Hill Road, on Ridge Road
Canton Township, Michigan.

Contributed by Richard E. Carden, Commander, S.U.V.C.W. Camp 427, Dept. of Michigan [UA636@cs.com].  Total records = 6.

Comer, George, Co. C., 1st. Michigan Infantry, Born 1843.  Residence listed as Washtenaw County, Michigan.  Enlisted October 2, 1861 at Fort Wayne, Detroit.  Wounded in action on August 30, 1862 at second Bull Run, Virginia.  Discharged for wounds December 30, 1862.
Holmes, William E., Co. H, 1st. Michigan Sharpshooters
Husten, Dwight, Co. E., 16th Michigan Infantry, Born 1837, Plymouth, Michigan.  Enlisted Aug. 18, 1861, for 3 years as corporal.  Promoted to sergeant on Aug. 30, 1862.  Died of disease September 20, 1862 at Fortress Monroe, Virginia.
McDougall, John A., Co. E., 17th Michigan Infantry, Born in 1842.  Residence listed as Superior, Michigan.  Enlisted on August 9, 1862 at Ypsilanti, Michigan, as sergeant.  Wounded in action September 14, 1862 at South Mountain, Maryland.  Discharged for disability on February 2, 1864 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Died in 1920.
Newton, Steven, Co. D., 3rd Michigan Cavalry
Tate, John, Co. G., 24th Michigan Infantry, Born in 1826, residence listed as Belleville, Michigan.  Enlisted August 8, 1862 at Belleville as corporal.  Killed August 30, 1863 at Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Civil War Marker dedication today

Though today began with rain, by 10 a.m. the sun broke out, and it was a beautiful day to dedicate the marker to Ypsi in the Civil War, and other stories, in historic Depot Town. The day -- ah yes, what an appropriate date, for 150 years ago President Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. How appropriate to commemorate Michiganders who made that signal event possible.

Here are pics:  

Civil War marker dedication

A Michigan Historical Marker relating to the role of Ypsilanti MI in the Civil War will be dedicated tomorrow morning, Saturday, September 22, in Depot Town. One side is entitled "The Barracks" and the other "Ypsilanti in the Civil War."

The MI Historical Commission at its regular meeting yesterday approved 10 new markers; none is directly related to the Civil War. So, the point is this: it isn't every day that a Civil War Marker gets installed in Michigan, so don't miss the opportunity tomorrow morning! Coming during the Sesquicentennial, it is doubly awesome!!

Antietam mementos available

If anyone is interested in getting one of the several available Antietam mementos -- the booklet with the Michigan at Antietam story, along with other materials from the Tribute ceremony and the day -- just email jdempsey@dickinsonwright.com and express your interest. Proceeds benefit the Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial. The books are limited in number, so once they're gone ...

Flight 93 Memorial

A recent newspaper article says that Americans aren't all that interested in the Flight 93 Memorial. Why? Well, there is still $5 million needed to complete it. Like many media stories, such a slant is, well, slanted. It also said that the multi-million dollar project has been financed mostly by individual Americans, not by other donors (like corporations). On the trip for the Michigan Day at Antietam the last weekend in August, we stopped at this most moving national park, off the beaten path near Shanksville PA, and found many visitors there that day, a parking lot with licenses from a number of States, and a hushed atmosphere -- like one would expect for a holy site.

Here, images are all that is needed to tell the underlying story of how ordinary people somehow did an extraordinary thing in defense of American democracry.

 

Remembering the remembrance

A week ago we were returning from the Antietam Michigan day, fatigued but full of feeling. Those of us who participated came away with satisfaction, that we had endeavord to represent our State in paying honor to our forebears who had served in the Campaign and defeated the seemingly-invincible Lee's army. We were treated to the best tour guide presentatation ever, it seems, by former Michigander and now Park Ranger Manny Gentile. We visited the Pry House, scene of Israel Richardson's final days. We had heard a presentation on Lieut. John A. Clark of the 7th Michigan, full of poignancy. And we had participated in the tribute ceremony meant for the cemetery but held in the observation room at the Visitor Center due to the weather. The ceremony was no less meaningful for the location -- in some ways, with the vistas of the battleground all around, it seemed as if we were meant to be there instead. Several of us visited the cemetery the next morning to pay respects to those whose eternal rest in the Michigan section moved us all.

Now, a week later, with time to ponder the weekend, one might wonder 'what does it really mean?' The answer came in the promos for the American Experience show to debut on Sept. 18 "Death and the Civil War." The preview contains a quote by a former joint chief of staff: "There is no more sacred obligation I don't think that the United States of American has than to those who have borne the burden and sacrificed so much." Michigan Day at Antietam was an effort by the Michigan Historical Commission to fulfill that sacred obligation.

Here are some pics:   

Michigan at Monocacy and South Mountain

Today, preparatory to the events on Michigan Day at Antietam, a number of us had the privilege of visiting the Monocacy National Battlefield to see and hear about the 1862 Michigan connections at that place. NPS Ranger Tracy Evans gave a brilliant presentation of 'Michigan and Lost Orders 191', followed by seeing the document on loan from the National Archives in the visitor center. (Word to the wise: check out this park and VC, it's really worth it!) Then a smaller group made our way up the National Pike and onto Reno Monument Road to visit the ground where the 17th Michigan Infantry fought and earned their "Stonewall Regiment" nickname, and where the State Historical Marker is located. Then back down the incline toward Antietam NBP, going through some back road places that are just beautiful. And, finally, onto the actual Antietam ground where the 7th Michigan Infantry went into action, followed by a trip to the Sunken Road where Richardson went down.

A great preparatory day, all in all!