Michigan Civil War Blog

Coda

You are seeing with your eyes the final post of this Civil War oriented blog.

Is it because the Civil War no longer "is hot right now"? That was the phrase used by the acquisitions editor who invited me to do a book based on this blog -- as if he had to offer enticement! No, the recent statue controversies, the appearance of what an amazing bio of U.S. Grant by Ron Chernow of "Hamilton" fame, the $200,000 won at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids recently for "A. Lincoln", the public vote grand prize winner, constructed of 24,000 Lincoln pennies -- all this demonstrates powerfully that we really are not in the post-Civil War world.

Then there are the pending projects commenced during the life of this blog. The Michigan Historical Commission (MHC) still has on its work agenda issuing a report for the people of Michigan and for posterity on the activities of the Sesquicentennial. The Michigan monument project at Antietam continues, with $20,000 or so in the bank and ongoing fundraising. The U.S. & Julia Grant Home has not moved from its padlocked shelter, and the latest news is that negotiations for a new site appear promising. The list could go on and on, but only one more need be added: this blogger in his copious spare time is working on another Civil War book to come out probably deep into 2018.

Speaking of whom, it is still true that time, change, and gubernatorial appointments march on. This blogger has been appointed to the Michigan World War I Centennial Commission, and is incredibly honored to serve and to promote the legacy of the men and women, like his maternal grandfather, who went to war to save democracy a century ago. This blogger's term on the MHC is due to expire in May '18, and it will have been fulfillment of one of the greatest desires of the heart to have spent eleven years on this august body.

Then there's that job thing. Since February 1, this blogger has served as executive director of the Michigan History Foundation, a 501c3 that supports the State's public history agency. It is implementing a new strategic vision, necessary for its sustainability, which involves some of the items discussed above. There's only so much energy for such things ...

As A. Lincoln said, "the Almighty has his own purposes." It would be the height of churlishness not to be grateful for the invitation to enlist in his army, seeking to build community and understanding instead of wreaking evil. I have failed so often that he should dismiss me from his service, and it would be justice to do so. Yet he continues to strew opportunities for good in my path as if to say "I knew you'd be a mixed bag, but I can still use you in my plans."

So, there is more work to do, but it will not be on this site. Anyone who might be interested can look into jackdempseybooks.com for evolving developments in the writing world. As for this blog, it's been great; deepest thanks to those who took the time to read, and comment, and inquire, and challenge; and it is now time for the stage manager to utter the appropriate final words:

"Cue curtain."

Taking stock

Without a post appearing here for a month now, it is doubtful that anyone who might have been paying attention is still doing so. The blogger's advanced age and flunking of retirement along with other activities -- and that this blog has ten years under its belt, and is long in the tooth -- suggest it is time to face the facts.

The Native Michiganders of Company K

Very informative podcast on Michigan Radio about this cohort of expert marksmen who served the Union in the Civil War: http://michiganradio.org

New Michigan Historical Commission member Eric Hemenway is featured.

Book sale benefiting Antietam Monument

The history library of Randall Peacock will be sold today, Saturday, July 15, from 9-3 at 805 Ivydale, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103. Russia, Asia, (esp. China) European and Middle Eastern, and American history. You will find something here, according to Mrs. Janet Peacock, who will have the books through Monday, so if you can't come Saturday, you can call her at 734-660-8411 and she will arrange a time. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Michigan Civil War Association for the building of a Michigan monument at Antietam.

Michigan Marker at Stones River

Had the opportunity to visit this NPS site last weekend (for the first time), and to come across the Michigan Historical Marker on the battlefield. It's in pretty good shape; could use a good cleaning, and one of the posts has started to come loose from the plaque -- but compared to a lot of markers that's nothing.

The marker used to be, from appearances, on the driving tour. The Park Service has obviously changed the route; there's a parking lot, as seen in the photo below (thanks to Michmarkers.com for the image; the cannon and small sign are no longer there), and the former roadway runs within a few feet of the location. Today, that is a walking/biking path. One must park several hundred feet away in order to go see the sign. That's also not really that much of a big deal, but the parking spaces are few. The Park does conduct ranger-led driving/caravan tours so that could be one way to deal with the issue.

The real issue is that this is a park that deserves greater visitation. A sign viewable from your car as you drive into the park reminds the visitor that this was an important point in the Civil War -- Lincoln wrote Rosecrans to thank him for a victory that came during a winter of discontent for many in the North after Fredericksburg -- and was very bloody, given the two days of combat. The National Cemetery is just across the road from the Visitor Center entrance; as with each such site, it is well worth a visit. One could see Michigan headstones even from the car as you drive through the cemetery roadway. It is just outside of Nashville, easily accessible from the interstate, and the eastern part of the park along the bank of Stones River is easy to get to from the main part.

The Michigan marker was erected in 1966 by the Michigan Civil War Centennial Observance Commission. Unusual, one side has but 24 words relating how "the State of Michigan" erected the marker to honor those who fought here to save the Union. Coming as it did coincidentally with the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, the marker could also say that they fought here to usher in a new birth of freedom for the nation's people, all people, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Today: buy a book (or more)

A reminder: the book sale benefitting the Michigan at Antietam project is today, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at 805 Ivydale, Ann Arbor, 48103. A great many books are available, you'll help a great cause by buying. The morning weather is outstanding ...

Soldier Anson Croman

On July 29, 1862, Anson Croman signed enlistment papers to join the 20th Michigan Infantry. A young man from Waterloo, he was actually underage. Croman had been born in December 1844; he was seventeen years and seven months old at enlistment. Soon, he would pull burial detail on the battlefield of Antietam.

But is this true, factual, about his early enlistment? How does an author make such a determination?

This information came from a combination of four sources, one being the so-called “Brown Books” (more formally known as “Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, 1861 – 1865”) that provide service information on Michigan Civil War soldiers. Anson Croman is listed on page 31 of the volume for the 20^th Michigan Infantry. The second is the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War graves database, which is http://www.suvcwdb.org/ . The third is from the Find-A-Grave database, since the SUVCW gave a grave location (it only had a death date, not a birth date, while the F-A-G provides a birthdate).

Most helpful was the genealogical online site http://www.ibiblio.org/cizewski/croman/croman.html . This family history site, Anson Croman in the American Civil War, was created to preserve and honor an ancestor’s service and share it with others. Our thanks to Leonard H. Cizewski, 2nd great-grandson-in-law of Anson Croman, Company F, 20th Michigan Infantry Regiment. His blog is at https://cromanmichigan.wordpress.com/ .

May soldier Croman's service, and those of all his comrades, never be forgotten.

Antietam: The Book

Hopefully, after weeks and months of adding to the stories told in Michigan at Antietam, we've provided even more information, historically based, that shows how important the Wolverine State's contributions were to this campaign. If we have, and if anyone is motivated by this information into wanting to support the Michigan Monument at Antietam project, here again is the address to send donations:

Michigan Civil War Association, 350 S. Main, Ste 300, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104.

No amount is too small, and we will gladly put into the project any major contributions as well.

And please continue to purchase copies of Michigan at Antietam, since 100% of the author proceeds go to the project.

Having written and spoken about this for over 18 months now, we remain ready, willing, and able to do more presentations and simply await invitations.

Next week, this blog turns to other subjects ... though the first post will be related to Antietam ...

Appendix: Afterward, Pt. VII

Today, the second decade of the 20th Century. Not many names, but among them is a Medal of Honor recipient.

1916

Eugene D. Young. Discharged Mar. 27, 1863. Died: Jan. 13, age 72. Burial: Wildwood Cemetery, Chesaning.

Frederick W. Swift. Battles of Fredericksburg, Vicksburg. Medal of Honor, Feb. 15, 1897, for actions at Lenoire Station, Tenn., Nov. 16, 1863, gallantly seized the colors and rallied the regiment after three color bearers had been shot and the regiment, having become demoralized, was in imminent danger of capture. Lieutenant Colonel, Nov. 26, 1863. Taken prisoner, Spotsylvania, May 12, 1864; exchanged, Aug. 3, 1864. Colonel, Dec. 4, 1864. Brevet Colonel, Mar. 13, 1865, “for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of Spottsylvania, Va.,” and Brevet Brigadier General “for gallant and meritorious conduct during the war.” Mustered out, Jun. 3, 1865.[i] Returned to Detroit to career in business; Postmaster (1866-74). Wrote reminiscence of time as prisoner of war. War Papers, MOLLUS, Michigan, Vol. 1, Paper 3 - index), published in 1893. Died Jan. 30, his 85th birthday. Burial: Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit.

Franklin B. Marsh. Discharged at Detroit, Jun. 20, 1865. Died: Jan. 30, age 74. Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Fenton.

1918

John M. Bancroft. 1st Lieutenant, Sept. 28, 1862. Mustered out at expiration of term of service, Detroit, Jun. 30, 1864. Died: July 30. 1918, age 80. Burial: Laurel Hill Cemetery, Reading, Massachusetts.

 

[i] Robertson, Michigan in the War, p. 943.

Beneficial book sale

You can add to your Civil War library and support the Michigan at Antietam monument project. How? A member of the Ann Arbor Civil War Round Table is selling her late husband's inventory -- which includes roughly 800 books on the war and another 100 on Lincoln ... and the proceeds are going to be donated to the monument. How benevolent!

Sale is Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at 805 Ivydale, Ann Arbor, 48103.

You can by shopping and buying also help out a very generous lady, who came up with this idea all on her own and is worthy of much appreciation. Support the cause and Mrs. Janet P.