 |
1863 |
A separate blog that followed the newspaper accounts of Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Infantry as it happened 150 years ago has moved to this section of Storytelling + Research = LoiS.
As Liberetta Lerich Green I reenact her family's involvement in the Underground Railroad and the "War of Rebellion" for the Lerichs had 2 brothers in the 5th Infantry. For more information, go to http://www.lois-sez.com/Historical.html
Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Civil War Infantry
Find here the Detroit and other area
newspapers originally published by LoiS online at the same pace as relatives
did when searching for news of their family in the "Fighting Fifth."
Source: John Braden
Detroit Free Press, January 9, 1863
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, Detroit Free Press
Strictly speaking this is not about the Fighting Fifth, it's more about the fighting for coverage by the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, January 13, 1863
Army of the Potomac, Christmas, food, Fredericksburg, Gen. Berry, Gen. Birney, Gen. Burnside, Gen. Kearney, Gen. Sigel, Lt. Bolio, Lt. Col. Gilluly, Maj. Sherlock, Rappahannock, supplies, weather
Correspondent G.W.W. is published ten days after his delayed Christmas eve letter. The same issue also gives brief notice of Lieutenant George Bolio's resignation of his commission and return home. No mention is made of the lieutenant's condition, only that he had "very complimentary testimonials as to his conduct at the battle of Fredericksburg."
This letter from G.W.W. may have its difficulties in clarity, but the Library of Michigan microfilm had the opposite side bleeding through on my own version, so I'm delighted that John had a copy as good as this.
Source: John Braden
Detroit Free Press, January 28, 1863
food
This is another one of those articles that is not strictly speaking about the Fifth, but gives insight into their life. Food has always been a military topic. Napoleon said an army marches on its stomach, so this shows it was amazing that the Fifth marched at all. (Love the western soldiers' comment about the date being found on the biscuit!)
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, February 3, 1863
abolition, artillery, Capt. O'Callaghan, Copperheads, desertion, Dr. Everett, Dr. Lyster, Fredericksburg, Gen. Birney, Gen. Hooker, Maj. Sherlock, morale, pay, pontoons, Rappahannock, weather
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune correspondent, G.W.W. comments on morale.
The next newspaper posting won't be until mid-February. Families and others concerned with the Fifth didn't know when to expect an article, so maybe uncertainty here is appropriate.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, February 17, 1863
Annondale, dead, missing, wounded
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, February 18, 1863
Annondale, Lt. Col. Sherlock
This is a surprisingly swift correction of yesterday's news item
Detroit Free Press, April 3, 1863
Dr. Lyster, Falmouth VA, field hospital, Gen. Hooker, Gen. McClellan, Lt. Col. Sherlock, promotions, Rappahannock, transportation, weather
The past month and a half reflects the delay in publishing news about the Fighting Fifth. Imagine the dismay of people back in Michigan if they received no letters and saw no newspaper articles during that time.
The next article will again have a delay, but not as great as the past month and a half. April only had three articles, but there will be many in May.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, April 18, 1863
Army of the Potomac, Belle Plains, Camp Fairbanks, cavalry, Gen. Birney, Gen. Hooker, Gen. Sigel, Gen. Stoneman, Lt. Col. Sherlock, Maj. Fairbanks, Abraham Lincoln, weather, Yorktown VA
When I started this project I didn't expect to practice computerized calligraphy. There was a part of this article which was so illegible I considered re-typing it because I could just make out what was said if I enlarged it considerably. Instead it seemed better to take the shadows of letters and re-draw them to make the message clarified.
Detroit Free Press, April 30, 1863
1 NY, Camp Fairbanks, food, Gen. Burnside, Gen. Hooker, Lt. Col. Sherlock, weather
Thanks heavens for the ability to correct faded and scratched microfilm. By enlarging the first column and tracing over the "ghosts" of letters, this article is understandable even with a large scratch. I make no claims that the "calligraphy" looks as good as the original, but it does let you read the text.The first column is in two parts.
The 5th should enjoy their leisure. It won't last. May was the start of a lot of activity that saw important battles in 1863.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, May 11, 1863
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, Detroit Free Press
Today's post was the one hundredth for Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Civil War Infantry, but it technically isn't about the 5th. Instead it gives a view of the "war" between the Detroit newspapers covering them.
Both Detroit Advertiser and Tribune and the Detroit Free Press, May 14, 1863
Army of the Potomac, Berdan's Sharp Shooters, Berry's Brigade, Chancellorsville, dead, Fredericksburg, Gen. Birney, Lt. Col. Sherlock, Maj. Pulford, missing, Rappahannock, wounded
Both Detroit area newspapers published about the Fighting 5th Infantry on May 14. The brief article in the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune looks back at the battle where Lt. Col. Sherlock was killed. The Detroit Free Press is a full-length article looking back in more inside detail at that and other battles in the area of the Rappahannock, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.
The Free Press article:
Somehow that is where my copying ends. My apologies if there is more, as I believe, that should have been saved. Bulk copying at a distant library made double-checking impossible.
The next two days will have more articles.
Detroit Free Press, May 15, 1863
Gen. Bragg, Gen. Rosecrans, Gen. Wheeler, Gen. Winder, John Morgan, Libby Prison, Lt. Thomas J. Spencer
This is an unusual look at life in the Confederate Prison, where prisoners from the 5th also went. Blobs erupt throughout the article unfortunately and the best you can do is guess what they conceal. Presumably they were on the original newspapers. Size variance occurs during saving on a flash drive. The largest possible size is always used here because it helps with legibility.
This next section has even more blobs.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, May 16, 1863
1 NY, Berry's Brigade, Col. Gilluly, Col. Hayman, Col. Sherlock, Dr. Everett, Dr. Lyster, Gen. Birney, Gen. Robertson, Gen. Ward, Gov. Blair, Maj. Fairbanks, Maj. Pulford, Pennsylvania
The Detroit Advertiser and Tribune does its own wrap up of the recent
battles. It also looks at the problem of "expiring regiments."
Detroit Free Press, May 31, 1863
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, Detroit Free Press, Gov. Seward
This is the Free Press view of the earlier dispute of May 11 with the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune about possible stealing of telegram coverage.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, June 3, 1863
Capt. Gregory, Capt. Knox, Capt. Mathews, Col. Hayman, desertion, Dr. Lyster, Dr. Rose, Gen. Williams, Gov. Blair, Kearney Cross, Maj. Pulford, Soldiers Aid Soc, Vallandigham
The weather is warming up and the soldiers of the Fighting Fifth are
dealing with Confederate deserters and rumors of future action are
beginning.
Of course the men want to return to action, but there will be no further word from the Fifth until the end of the month.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, June 30, 1863
3 MI Infantry, Belle Plains, Bull Run, Centerville, Gen. Birney, Gen. De Trobriand, Iron Brigade, Isaac Lerich, Manassas, railroads, Rappahannock, weather
Action finally is starting up. Both the 3d and 5th Mich. Infantry hope they are heading into decisive battles. These two regiments worked closely together. When the 3d eventually was too decimated to continue, Isaac Lerich, was one of those from the 5th who were mustered back in, after recuperating, to keep the "Iron Brigade" operating.
The reproduction at times is a bit faint. My one effort at "drawing" a "5" was sufficient to make it understood and also that I shouldn't attempt any more. By reading, even those letters too faint to read, the context clarifies what is missing.
Wikipedia does an excellent job of telling us more about General De Trobriand, a Frenchman who came to the U.S. on a dare when he was 25. He became a naturalized citizen and general when the war broke out. He doesn't receive nearly the attention he deserves. Read the article and I think you'll agree.
Gettysburg! (July 1-3, 1863)
Gettysburg, Chaplain Alan Farley, chaplains
This is NOT from 150 years ago in the Detroit newspapers, but I think it needs featuring. The Battle of Gettysburg has been considered by most looking at the war to be one of the most crucial battles and the Fighting Fifth was in the thick of it.At the recent Civil War days at Greenfield Village I met Chaplain Alan Farley who has been ministering to reenactors since 1984. The 20th century's World War II created the quotation "There are no atheists in foxholes", but it surely was true for the War Between the States as witnessed in letters sent by the soldiers. Chaplain Farley has an email list which you can receive by using his site's contact form (use the hotlink for his name to reach it). The following letter about Gettysburg is from a Confederate soldier, but surely the Fifth would similarly agree this battle was well-described for them, too, even if they didn't see the dying soldier specifically mentioned in it.
THE
GREAT DAY OF JUDGEMENT
Joel 2:31, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.”
M. B. BROUGHTON, a Confederate soldier
from Alabama, wrote some detailed accounts of the results of war on famous
battlefields, including a firsthand account of the battle of Gettysburg:
One of the
saddest sights I ever witnessed was on the field of Gettysburg. We had captured some fifteen hundred
prisoners and I was one of the guards marching them to the rear. Passing along where there were hundreds dead,
wounded and mutilated, I saw a soldier with a North Carolina regiment mark in
his cap leaning against a fly tent. A
fragment of a shell had struck him above the breast bone and tore the whole
stomach lining away leaving exposed his heart and other organs which were in
motion and he seemed alive and conscious.
I lingered a moment for I had never seen anything so shocking before nor
have I seen the countenance of a dying man so peculiar and unearthly.
The artillery fire at the battle of Gettysburg was something
terrific. The battle field abounded in
mounds and hills which were advantageous for planting and operating the cannon
and the batteries on both sides were the pride of either army. I do not know the number operated at the same
time but it was said to be five hundred; but I do know the roar was awful and
the heavens surcharged with hissing, roaring balls screeching, screaming,
bursting shells enveloped in sulphurous smoke that clouded the July sun. When the heavens are rolled together as a
scroll in the Last days I doubt whether it will present a more awe-inspiring
spectacle than that historic field presented on that fatal day.
The prophet Joel preached
that in the future God will judge the earth.
No other day in history (including Gettysburg) will compare to the
awfulness of that great day.
Taken from “Battlefield
& Blessings” by Terry Tuley
--
A Servant of Christ,
Chaplain Alan Farley D.D.
That comes from Chaplain Farley's weekly devotions. I've deleted his contact information that appears on the email, but you can reach him through the previously listed hotlink.
There also is a National Civil War Chaplains Research Center and Museum.
Detroit Free Press, July 3, 1863
3 MI Infzntry, dead, Invalid Corps, Isaac Lerich, William Lerich, wounded
This isn't specifically about the Fighting Fifth, but rather about making war claims of injury and loss. It is interesting that later when Will and Isaac Lerich were seeing their early demise from their war injuries they had to fight in an attempt to get pensions for their soon-to-be widows. Compensating our military families seems to be a continuing battle off the field. During the war, after injuries and time at Libby Prison, the Lerich brothers served a time in the Invalid Corps. Will later returned to the Fifth. Ike's injuries, after laying on the battlefield for ten days, took longer to recover. When he did, he became an officer in the reorganized Michigan Third Volunteer Infantry. (Not bad for somebody who started out as a Bugle Boy! He finally mustered out in San Antonio as a Major, marrying one of those girls he said was "just a little bit secesh.") The Invalid Corps was eventually renamed the Veteran Reserve Corps and permitted disabled or infirm soldiers and former soldiers to assist the war effort in lighter duty away from the battlefields.My reproduction from the microfilm starts out clearly. Unfortunately the mid-section is quite faint and the end is better, but still doesn't begin as well as at the beginning. There is even a small wrinkle that was part of the original microfilming. For what you can read, I still find it of interest and hope you do, too.
The first two parts are faint, but mainly legible. It was difficult even to decide where it ended and continue it in the final section. The two paragraphs completely hopeless have these titles, "(LSK:?) Still in Service" and what seems to be " How to Make Claims." DRAT! My apologies that it's so poor.
Word in the newspapers of the Fifth doesn't appear again until later in the month. This was originally posted on the eve of the 4th of July, I believe it's worth a look back at how our "wounded warriors" and their families are treated. They fought to keep our country whole and safe, celebrating the 4th.
The Gettysburg Campaign
The Fifth Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, according to Wikipedia, definitely was engaged at Gettysburg. Here are the facts as they summarize it:
- June 11-July 24 Gettysburg Campaign
- July 1-3 Battle of Gettysburg
From the Gettysburg monument: "Effective strength July 2nd 1863; present and detached service 21 officers and 262 men, total 283. Casualties: Killed 2 officers, 17 men; Wounded 8 officers 78 men; Missing 4 men; Total 109."
"The regiment fought here about 4:30 o'clock p.m., July 2, 1863, after it had been assembled from the skirmish line far in advance of this position. It moved to the support of the 2nd Corps in resisting Pickett's Charge, July 3."
************
On the actual 4th of July I didn't post for the very reason families and others concerned about the "Fighting Fifth" saw nothing specifically about them. My listing of posts here primarily found articles through the indexing of Helen H. Ellis, of Detroit Public Library's Burton Historical Collection. Her book, Michigan in the Civil War: A Guide to Material in Detroit Newspapers 1861-1866, was published by the Michigan Civil War Centennial Observance Commission in 1965. Occasionally other articles caught my eye while scanning the Detroit newspaper microfilm. (I would have added the Oakland Press, but the Pontiac microfilm rolls are missing.) Additionally I gladly accepted articles from others sending me material on the Fifth and inserted them into the proper dates if received in time. Ms. Ellis's efforts certainly covered beyond Detroit because companies were gathered from many Michigan communities beyond the reach of the Detroit newspapers. Because those communities' newspapers didn't have an index like Ms. Ellis's book, however, I went only that far.
So I repeat what you may be wondering: Why has there been no posting about this battle often considered a turning point in the war?
If you are wondering that, imagine, as word filters back home of the enormity of this battle, what is going through the minds of all concerned with soldiers in the Fifth. Articles were written by correspondents in the very thick of the action. Word came, but only as fighting and other duties eased and communications could be sent. In the meantime here on the homefront the silence continued.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, July 23, 1863 GETTYSBURG!
3 MI Infantry, Capt. Rexford, Col. Flanigan, dead, Dr. Beach, Gen. Birney, Gen. Sickles, Gettysburg, J.S. Rider, Lt. Col. Pulford, Maj. Mathews, William Williams, wounded
Finally the news of Gettysburg arrives in Detroit! The editors of the Advertiser and Tribune say it has been held up in lost mailbags. Surely news that a terrible battle has been waged has been told, but until now the newspaper has given no information. The usual correspondent, however, is supplemented by a second article on the same front page covering the news from the hospital there.The Third Michigan Infantry has worked closely so the first article covers both the Third (or Iron Brigade) and the Fighting Fifth.
It's hard to believe the second article came from the same microfilmed front page, but it did. Where the first article has gaps in letters and words, this is clear or even has blobs. Still the sense of both articles is usually figured out by the context.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, July 24, 1863
dead, Emmetsburg, Gen. Meade, Gen. Reno, Gettysburg, Lt. Col. Pulford, Maj. Mathews, spies, Spies Richardson, traitors, Vicksburg
The lost mailbag's information on Gettysburg continues.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, August 5, 1863
3 Mi Infantry, Alexandria and Orange RR, Berdan's Sharp Shooters, Capt. Semmes, Front Royal, Gen. Ashby, livestock, Lt. Col. Pulford, Maj. Mathews, Manassas Gap, Orange and Alexandria RR, Warrenton
Sometimes I beat myself about the quality of reprints from the microfilms. Other times I realize the microfilm dealt with flawed originals. I tried to enhance the images I've saved. Doing this, I hoped to remove as many flaws as possible and improve what remained. One benefit I have is the ability to take my images and enlarge them beyond the space my site's template permits. Here I'm going to "translate" what I see, and also give the largest version of the flawed originals that fit my space. You may decide for yourself if you agree. Parenthetic and underlined comments are all mine. It starts out reasonably legible, becomes awful, then the good news is that, even with a page that was apparently folded, the end of the article is much easier to read.The headline is fairly easily read, then:
Special Corr. of the Advertiser and Tribune.
Headquarters 5th Michigan Infantry near Warrenton, Virginia (uses the state abbreviation), July 29, 1863.
For three days the 3d and 5th corps have remained encamped near Warrenton, while the other corps of this army are scattered along the Blue Ridge near the different gaps in the same, and on the road towards Centerville, Winchester, Waterloo, and Fredericksburg. This three days rest was something we greatly needed. for never during this war have we been so worn and weary as at the present time. For thirty days we were not in sight of the wagon train long enough to procure a change of clothing. Our stay here is short, for we are ordered to have three days' rations in haver sacks, five in regimental wagons, and seven in supply train, making in all thirteen days and all de___? in ordnance and ordnance stores are being shipped? and we are again truly armed and equipped for a long march and an active campaign against the enemy. Warrenton is a small town nearly the size of Pontiac without the , and business-like appearance of the latter place its streets are (narrow?) with the buildings old and dilapidated, ___ the __ used a (bad? rail?) road ____ the Warrenton ___ a (bad? rail?) road (,?) and? at a small place by (? is the same? ?) for Orange and Alexandria a ___. (LSK: There was an Orange and Alexandria railroad and Wikipedia says it "was arguably the most fought over railroad in Virginia." Earlier, 3/14/1862, a Free Press article called it the Alexandria and Orange railroad, so it is listed both ways here in the labels on the sidebar.) Last November we encamped a short (time?) at this place, Warrenton, and had the opportunity of conversing with many of the (here it becomes impossible to read until) Yankees, but today (again unreadable until) and desolation and ? bearing down heavy upon
them, ? and their children are crying for bread, and they are beginning to open their eyes and see already their true position, and reap the reward of their treason. They admit? ___ victories? and their necessities to be greater than we even? believe them to be ourselves. Many of the more intelligent even admit the __ of rebellion; renumbered and that the holiday(s) will see its end; their faces are long and expressive disappointment, fond hopes (blighted?) and (unreadable until) and they bear about them an air of (grief? guilt?), shame and humble submission, a conscious, expressive ? guilt of b?ing on ? in an unholy and unjust cause. May God and the world be merciful to them ? . Warrenton is the home of Gen. Ashby and the notorious Capt. Semmes. Their homes are desolate and their children begging for bread. All along the line of our march from
Harpers Ferry to this place, the citizens removed their horses from the farms to the woods and mountains, (from there on it's about as clear as the usual microfilm. As always, there are parts too faint, but usually the context clarifies the message.)
I'm glad I don't have to pay for each question mark as there were plenty. If you have a better copy or can clarify the text by using either the original or if the Advertiser and Tribune had the same article at a different time of day from the microfilm at the Library of Michigan, please contact me.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, August 15, 1863
Alexandria and Orange RR, Army of the Potomac, desertion, Gen. Lee, Gen. Meade, Orange and Alexandria RR, Rapidan, Virginia, weather
Mid-August in the wake of Gettysburg is a time of consolidation for the Union, including the Fifth Infantry.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, August 16, 1863
Alexandria and Orange RR, Gen. Birney, Gen. Sigel, Invalid Corps, Orange and Alexandria RR, Sulphur Springs, Warrenton, Warrenton Junction
The 5th stays in the ruins of longtime southern resort, Sulphur Springs, with just enough reminders of the war.
On July 13 - 16 the Invalid Corps joined with 5 regiments pulled away right after Gettysburg to quell the New York City Draft Riots.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, August 22, 1863
casualties, Copperheads, Gen. Birney, Gen. Meade, Grigg's Cav, health, Kelly's Ford, Lt. Col. Pulford, officers, Spencer rifle, supplies, weather
Today we have a rare wealth of newspaper articles in both the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune and in the Detroit Free Press. The Free Press sentiments were clearly those of the Copperheads. I've given the link to the Wikipedia article calling them the Northern Democrats wanting immediate peace with the Confederates. Of course there's far more to the story than that, which is why I gave the Wikipedia link. It's also why, with both newspapers having an article on the same day, I posted the Free Press later. Anyone concerned about the Fifth would have chosen the Advertiser and Tribune first.
A major topic here is the health of the regiment. Of course all at home caring about a soldier worry about his health, but this goes beyond that. Not only was August a prime time for sickness, but it was also prime time for battle. A healthy regiment in the wake of Gettysburg is a sign of good morale. Also more soldiers died of sickness than bullets in the war.
As for supplies, any soldier can sympathize with the Union carrying more than the Confederate soldiers. The Spencer rifle also was a "game changer" that the soldiers enthusiastically received. William Lerich wrote a letter home about his excitement and conviction that it would end the war.
Detroit Free Press, August 22, 1863
Alexandria, Berry's Brigade, Col. Detrabian, Gen. Birney, Lt. Col. Pulford, Richardson Brigade
Above the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune article was posted here. The Detroit Free Press sympathies for ending the war probably are the reason accounts of the Fighting Fifth are so rarely published. The following is an exception from their correspondent, C.B. with the Fifth noting the changes since Gettysburg and the accolades from both General Birney and the French Colonel Detrabian, who lovingly calls them his "leetle Fifth", saying he would rather command their regiment than "von whole division."
I repeated the French officers comments as the microfilm is badly scratched. The scratches could be removed by software, but leaving the scratches in lets the text appear better than taking them out. The joys of microfilm!
That speculation will be answered in a very brief posting on the 29th.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, August 24, 1863
Berry's Brigade, Gen. Birney, Richardson Brigade
The Advertiser and Tribune now gives its brief view of the transition noted in the Free Press article.
The Free Press continued their efforts to get the news out more rapidly and very briefly has its say on the 29th. Check then to see if the Fifth was sent to New York or Charleston.
Detroit Free Press, August 29, 1863
New York, prisoners
Today's article is so brief I copied it by hand and re-typed it here rather than make a copy. Why?An unnamed database reference publisher claims copyright on the "historical Detroit Free Press." I use the microfilm at the Library of Michigan, but find material on the "Fighting Fifth" using the Civil War Centennial indexing of the Detroit newspapers done by Detroit Public Library's Burton Historical Library's Helen H. Ellis. Her Michigan in the Civil War: a guide to material in Detroit Newspapers 1861-1866 has helped me find these articles efficiently so a few trips each year captured articles to be cleaned up and republished here. The intent behind the copyright Public Domain law is to keep alive written works after those who created or published them have been compensated. Written works published in the U.S. after 1923 are intended to be in the Public Domain and so these articles should be safely available to all. So what's the problem? The Detroit Free Press microfilms I use at the Library of Michigan are not always the same edition Ms. Ellis used at the Burton. The same editions she used have been captured by this unnamed database reference publisher. If I want to use their database, I'm told I would have to pay them a royalty. Hmmm. I can understand their charging libraries to buy and offer their database, but researchers should be allowed to have free access to the articles and including them in their research. Thank heavens they don't have the only copies of those editions, but it's not always easy to go to multiple locations to obtain them. So here is the brief public domain article without benefit of the unnamed database reference publisher.
*****
IN NEW YORK - The Third, Fifth and Seventh regiments of Michigan infantry have recently been sent to New York. Their ranks have been very much reduced by battle and disease, and they are sent there for the purpose of guarding rebel prisoners.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, September 1, 1863
26 MI Infantry, 3 MI Infantry, 7 MI Infantry, Col. Farrar, Dr. Broks, New York, sick
This was listed as Field Notes for the 3d, 5th, 7th, and 26th MI Infantry. Actually the correspondent, A.D.F. from the 26th, misses the 5th and 7th, but what he says still is true for them.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, September 4, 1863
3 MI Infantry, 7 MI Infantry, Alexandria, Bealton, Berry's Brigade, draft, Gen. Birney, Gen. De Trobriand, Kettle-Bottom Shoals, Lt. Col. Pulford, New York, NY Draft Riots, SS Baltic, Sulphur Springs
Detroit Free Press, September 8, 1863
3 MI Infantry, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Kearney Cross, Wapping Heights
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, September 10, 1863
3 MI Infantry, 4 MI Infantry, Capt. Wackenshow, Col. Pierce, Copperheads, draft, John Bagley, Lt. Crawford, NY Draft Riots, officers' wives, Troy NY
The Draft Riots of New York City are infamous, but the Special Correspondent of the Advertiser and Tribune sounds as if the Fifth had little difficulty in Troy, New York, which is very close to the state capitol. Understandably his job may have been to reassure readers back in Michigan that their soldiers were doing well, but he certainly gives a different view from anything verging on a riot.By this time it's also presumed that you know Copperheads were the opponents of the war, as opposed to the reptiles often displayed at nature centers.
Surely the officers' wives would not be expected if serious trouble was anticipated.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, September 16, 1863
3 MI Infantry, draft, NY Draft Riots, SS C. Vanderbilt, Troy NY
It's again transition time with the 3d and 5th Infantry leaving Troy. As usual the common soldier, including the newspaper's correspondent, has only rumors as to where they may be going next. New York City's Draft Riots again becomes a possibility.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, September 30, 1863
dead, Dr. Breakey, Elmina Brainard, Gettysburg, John G. Frey, wounded
This is a chance to record the marked graves of Michigan soldiers, not just the Fifth Infantry, at Gettysburg. The author claims about a thousand wounded in the Gettysburg hospital, both Union and Confederate, so he states his list is hasty and may miss many. No attempt is made to mention any possibly taken to Confederate prisons.
The Detroit correspondents are silent for a while and there will be nothing further published on the Fifth for almost a month.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, October 28, 1863
Capt. Colville, desertion, Gen. Birney, Gettysburg, Lt. Hurlbut, Lt. Pierce, Maj. Mathews, Manassas, Rev. Prichard, William Ferguson
Yet another month will pass before more word from the Fifth.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, November 30, 1863
Elmina Brainard, Gettysburg, hospitals, Michigan Relief Association, wounded, York Hospital
While this post doesn't specifically mention the Fifth, they were definitely the recipients of care by Elmina Brainard of Lapeer. Thanks to her, soldiers wounded at Gettysburg received care that otherwise wouldn't have been covered because of the problem due to hospital debt and mismanagement.
More can be read about Mrs. Brainard in the book by the Michigan Civil War Centennial Observance Commission, Michigan Women in the Civil War, published in 1963. Among her many duties, she battled with doctors to get soldiers the care they needed and also spent hours cooking to help the men recover.
December will be a remarkably active month for articles after the past few where there has been so little news.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, December 2, 1863
11 MI Infantry, 13 MI, Col. LeFavour, Dr. Ewing, Dr. Goodall, Dr. Griswold, food, Isaac Lerich, Libby Prison, Richmond, uniforms, William Lerich, wounded
After two months when barely any news has come from the Fifth, today's article is about Libby Prison conditions. While the Fifth is never mentioned, I know that prisoners from the Fifth were imprisoned there. Both Will and Isaac Lerich were soldiers from the Fifth who experienced this form of "southern hospitality."
The article has some flaws that can't be corrected nor guessed what the original said. I presume the headline says: THE REBEL BARBARITIES.
(The newspaper may have been folded there.)
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, December 9, 1863
"Guest of the Confederacy", Alonzo Keeler, Col. LeFavour, food, Gen. Dow, Libby Prison, officers, Richmond
Many Union prisoners, including from the Fifth Infantry, were "guests of the Confederacy" at Libby Prison. Here's a brief UPDATE: That term was common among those who were Confederate prisoners. I meant to include a book called A "Guest" of the Confederacy; The Civil War Letters and Diaries of Alonzo M. Keeler, Captain, Company B, Twenty-Second Michigan Infantry -- including letters and diaries written while a prisoner of war by Robert D. and Cheryl J. Allen.This letter in the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune tells about life there. Notice that both this and the book describe conditions for the officers, from 2d lieutenants to generals.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, December 11, 1863
3d MI, Col. Detrabian or DeTrabinand, Col. Egan, Gen. Birney, Gen. French, Gen. Meade, Kelly's Ford, killed, Locust Grove, Lt. Col. Beach, Lt. Col. Pulford, Lt. Knox, prisoners, wounded
The delay of news continued with this being the Battle of Locust Grove from back on November 27,28,29. Correspondent G.W.W. explains part of the delay being his own severe wounding and being hauled around in an ambulance for six days and nights. G.W.W. presumes news about the Battle of Kelly's Ford was already learned because New York newspapers reported it earlier. The article complains about internal poor communication within the army, too. Most interesting is his comment, "It seems to be our particular misfortune,or the intention of the commanding Generals, that we bear the brunt of every battle."
Once again there is evidence of our dependence on the conscientiousness of the microfilmer. Apparently a fold in the paper leaves a phrase impossible to guess.
Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, December 18, 1863
"Guest of the Confederacy", food, Libby Prison, officers, Richmond
Here's more about Libby Prison and I repeat this mention of the book, A "Guest" of the Confederacy; The Civil War Letters and Diaries of Alonzo M. Keeler, Captain, Company B, Twenty-Second Michigan Infantry -- including letters and diaries written while a prisoner of war by Robert D. and Cheryl J. Allen. While many Union prisoners, including from the Fifth Infantry, were "guests of the Confederacy" at Libby Prison, these letters -- also from just a few days ago on December 9 -- and the book describe conditions for the officers, from 2d lieutenants to generals.The microfilm was skewed, but here is returned somewhat to as close to the upright as possible.
Detroit Free Press, December 31, 1863
Ft. Wayne, furlough
As the year closed, the Fifth returned home for a while. With only 1/8 of the regiment in service -- some of the missing may be in Confederate prisons or injured -- the Free Press, who normally expressed "Copperhead" views, actually congratulated and welcomed them home.
No comments:
Post a Comment