CIVIL WAR
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(Left) Front of tag. Last name spelled with "PH" instead of "V". (Right) Reverse of tag stamped with battles he was at.
ROYAL H. STEVENS
1st Lieutenant Royal H. Stevens was born in 1842 and was from Stockbridge, Michigan before the war.
Stevens enlisted as a Private in Company A, 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment on August 31, 1861, at Ann Arbor. At the time he was 19 years old.
He would participate in all of his units battles, including:
Peninsular Campaign
Second Battle of Bull Run
Battle of Antietam
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Gettysburg (1st Michigan was in action on the battlefield on July 2, 1863, at the Wheatfield and suffered 42 casualties)
After his 3 year term of service was up, he would re-enlist as a veteran in his unit. Finishing the war with his original unit and participating in ore of the following battles:
Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of Cold Harbor
Siege of Petersburg
Battle of Five Forks
He was promoted to 1st Sergeant sometime during the war and later commissioned to 1st Lieutenant on May 30, 1865, in Company B.
Stevens mustered out on July 9, 1865, near Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Stevens enlisted as a Private in Company A, 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment on August 31, 1861, at Ann Arbor. At the time he was 19 years old.
He would participate in all of his units battles, including:
Peninsular Campaign
Second Battle of Bull Run
Battle of Antietam
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Gettysburg (1st Michigan was in action on the battlefield on July 2, 1863, at the Wheatfield and suffered 42 casualties)
After his 3 year term of service was up, he would re-enlist as a veteran in his unit. Finishing the war with his original unit and participating in ore of the following battles:
Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of Cold Harbor
Siege of Petersburg
Battle of Five Forks
He was promoted to 1st Sergeant sometime during the war and later commissioned to 1st Lieutenant on May 30, 1865, in Company B.
Stevens mustered out on July 9, 1865, near Jeffersonville, Indiana.
1st MICH monument at Gettysburg.
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William Brennan
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Alexander Brennan
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Simon Brennan
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ALEXANDER J. BRENNAN
Alexander James Brennan was born in 1845 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was the son of Simon F. (1801-1868) and Elizabeth (Innes).
In 1850 Simon moved his family from Nova Scotia to Massachusetts and they settled in Boston, where Alexander attended public school along with his older brother Simon. The Brennans remained in Massachusetts for some years before heading westward, and in February of 1859 the family moved to Michigan where they settled in Georgetown, Ottawa County.
By 1860 Alexander was living with his family and attending school with his younger sister Eliza, in Georgetown; his older brother Simon Jr. was also living with the family and he too would enlist in the Third Michigan.
Alexander stood 5’8” with blue eyes, brown hair and fair complexion and was 17 years old and working as a farmer and probably living in Georgetown Township, Ottawa County when he enlisted in Company I, joining his brother Simon (who had enlisted the previous year), on August 19, 1862, at Detroit or Ionia for 3 years, crediting Georgetown, and was mustered the same day at Detroit. (Company I was made up largely of men from Ottawa County, particularly from the eastern side of the County.) Alexander joined the Regiment on September 3, 1862, at Upton Hill, Virginia, and was on duty with the regiment in February of 1863 when he wrote home from Camp Pitcher, the winter regimental quarters.
"I now set down to let you know that I am well and Simon’s first rate. I received a letter from you which bore the date of the 3rd. I was glad to hear from you but very sorry to hear that Father was so poorly. You said that you was in want of some money. I sent you ten dollars or rather gave it to Simon to send and he sent it to you in a letter. I only drew 16 dollars but they owed me about 3 months and a half more which I think we will get before long, then I will send you all I can. I bought a pair of boots that cost 6 dollars which I am to pay next pay day. Simon thought that I would them; the mud is up to our knees and it is impossible to go a rod with shoes without getting your feet wet. My boots come up to my knees and are first rate ones. One of the captains bought them in Washington; they were too small for him so Simon got them for me that cost him, Capt. Pierce, 10 dollars; so he said. I think if you can get pay or anything else on credit for a month or so I can send you some more money. Simon did not get his pay when the rest of the regt [did]. The reason I did not get more was on account of the cold days. You wanted to know if Simon and me tented together; no we do not. I tent with two boys in the company: George W. Adams is one and the other is George Carlisle. They are both good boys. I think they don’t snore much and Adams don’t at all; he has not snored once since he left Camp Mich. The boys in the company like him. I am glad to hear that you have a good time to home and glad to know that you have a good teacher. I should like to be to home but our country needs men to help them and men we must have. I think if I had come before it might have helped more. I do not think I don’t like it for there is no place like home but suppose we all should stay to home what would become of our Union? I think it is every man’s duty to come that can come. Let the North turn out as we have and the Rebellion is done for Look at Mr. Tate’s folks; this war has sent two of them to the grave but they have the satisfaction of [knowing] that they have done all . . . for their country. . . . Billy Finch and John they’re all that their mother has and yet you see them go to fight for their adopted country. There is Mrs. Doyle & Simmons. . . . Then there is Capt. Lowing’ he can send one. Let them send one as you, Mrs. Tate & Mrs. Finch and then this Rebellion is [washed] up. But if we don’t [finish it soon] it is not because we have men we can fight as hard as any troops. We can stand hardships as well as any army and why don’t we do more I think it is because we want Generals. The boys have no faith in Burnsides for a leader; Hooker they think all the world of but don’t think him capable of leading this army. Burnsides & Hooker are both good generals in their place but Gen. Geo. B. McClellan is the man to command the army of the Potomac. Well there, I think I have done a small amount of preaching. I expect Esther will think that I am a sermon minister for certain. Well, I will draw this to a close for the present. If Father can get by and on credit until about the 12th of next month I think I can send him some more money. We may get some in a week and we may in a month if we don’t we will draw pay but if we get it in a week we will not get it for 2 months. But rest assured that as soon as I can get it I will send it to you."
Alexander's brother was the commanding officer of his company and Alexander quickly moved up the ranks. Alexander's first action would be at the Battle of Fredericksburg, then the Battle of Chancellorsville, and following that, the Battle of Gettysburg. It was here that all 3 of the Brennan brothers were present on the battlefield. His eldest brother, William Brennan, of Company B, 5th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, was mortally wounded during the battle on July 3, 1863. He died 2 days later in field hospital.
The other two Brennan's fought at the Peach Orchard against the 3rd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Battalion on July 2. Both survived.
During the Battle of the Wilderness, Alexander was wounded slightly in the head and arm on May 6, 1864. His brother was not as lucky and was wounded and captured by the Confederates during the battle a day before. He would be held at the following POW camps: Macon, GA and Charleston and Columbia, SC.
On May 11, Alexander was admitted to Emory general hospital in Washington, DC, with a “gunshot wound ball passing through biceps from without inwards,” and was furloughed from the hospital four days later.
Although he was probably still absent wounded, Alexander was transferred to Company I, Fifth Michigan infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864. He eventually joined the Fifth Michigan and was wounded again on October 27, 1864, while the Regiment was engaged at the Boydton Plank road, and where he was taken prisoner.
Alexander was never heard from again. He presumably perished in one the confederate prisoner-of-war camps in the south. Indeed, according to Van Eyck's study of Ottawa County veterans, Alexander was one of the unknowns buried near Petersburg, Virginia.
In 1879, Alexander’s mother applied for and received a pension (no. 203214).
Simon, the middle brother, was the only one to survive the war. Despite being wounded 3 times and captured, he somehow made it home in one piece. He stayed in Michigan and became a part of the GAR. Simon revisited Gettysburg during the 50th anniversary in 1913. He would pass away on January 4, 1923.
In 1850 Simon moved his family from Nova Scotia to Massachusetts and they settled in Boston, where Alexander attended public school along with his older brother Simon. The Brennans remained in Massachusetts for some years before heading westward, and in February of 1859 the family moved to Michigan where they settled in Georgetown, Ottawa County.
By 1860 Alexander was living with his family and attending school with his younger sister Eliza, in Georgetown; his older brother Simon Jr. was also living with the family and he too would enlist in the Third Michigan.
Alexander stood 5’8” with blue eyes, brown hair and fair complexion and was 17 years old and working as a farmer and probably living in Georgetown Township, Ottawa County when he enlisted in Company I, joining his brother Simon (who had enlisted the previous year), on August 19, 1862, at Detroit or Ionia for 3 years, crediting Georgetown, and was mustered the same day at Detroit. (Company I was made up largely of men from Ottawa County, particularly from the eastern side of the County.) Alexander joined the Regiment on September 3, 1862, at Upton Hill, Virginia, and was on duty with the regiment in February of 1863 when he wrote home from Camp Pitcher, the winter regimental quarters.
"I now set down to let you know that I am well and Simon’s first rate. I received a letter from you which bore the date of the 3rd. I was glad to hear from you but very sorry to hear that Father was so poorly. You said that you was in want of some money. I sent you ten dollars or rather gave it to Simon to send and he sent it to you in a letter. I only drew 16 dollars but they owed me about 3 months and a half more which I think we will get before long, then I will send you all I can. I bought a pair of boots that cost 6 dollars which I am to pay next pay day. Simon thought that I would them; the mud is up to our knees and it is impossible to go a rod with shoes without getting your feet wet. My boots come up to my knees and are first rate ones. One of the captains bought them in Washington; they were too small for him so Simon got them for me that cost him, Capt. Pierce, 10 dollars; so he said. I think if you can get pay or anything else on credit for a month or so I can send you some more money. Simon did not get his pay when the rest of the regt [did]. The reason I did not get more was on account of the cold days. You wanted to know if Simon and me tented together; no we do not. I tent with two boys in the company: George W. Adams is one and the other is George Carlisle. They are both good boys. I think they don’t snore much and Adams don’t at all; he has not snored once since he left Camp Mich. The boys in the company like him. I am glad to hear that you have a good time to home and glad to know that you have a good teacher. I should like to be to home but our country needs men to help them and men we must have. I think if I had come before it might have helped more. I do not think I don’t like it for there is no place like home but suppose we all should stay to home what would become of our Union? I think it is every man’s duty to come that can come. Let the North turn out as we have and the Rebellion is done for Look at Mr. Tate’s folks; this war has sent two of them to the grave but they have the satisfaction of [knowing] that they have done all . . . for their country. . . . Billy Finch and John they’re all that their mother has and yet you see them go to fight for their adopted country. There is Mrs. Doyle & Simmons. . . . Then there is Capt. Lowing’ he can send one. Let them send one as you, Mrs. Tate & Mrs. Finch and then this Rebellion is [washed] up. But if we don’t [finish it soon] it is not because we have men we can fight as hard as any troops. We can stand hardships as well as any army and why don’t we do more I think it is because we want Generals. The boys have no faith in Burnsides for a leader; Hooker they think all the world of but don’t think him capable of leading this army. Burnsides & Hooker are both good generals in their place but Gen. Geo. B. McClellan is the man to command the army of the Potomac. Well there, I think I have done a small amount of preaching. I expect Esther will think that I am a sermon minister for certain. Well, I will draw this to a close for the present. If Father can get by and on credit until about the 12th of next month I think I can send him some more money. We may get some in a week and we may in a month if we don’t we will draw pay but if we get it in a week we will not get it for 2 months. But rest assured that as soon as I can get it I will send it to you."
Alexander's brother was the commanding officer of his company and Alexander quickly moved up the ranks. Alexander's first action would be at the Battle of Fredericksburg, then the Battle of Chancellorsville, and following that, the Battle of Gettysburg. It was here that all 3 of the Brennan brothers were present on the battlefield. His eldest brother, William Brennan, of Company B, 5th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, was mortally wounded during the battle on July 3, 1863. He died 2 days later in field hospital.
The other two Brennan's fought at the Peach Orchard against the 3rd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Battalion on July 2. Both survived.
During the Battle of the Wilderness, Alexander was wounded slightly in the head and arm on May 6, 1864. His brother was not as lucky and was wounded and captured by the Confederates during the battle a day before. He would be held at the following POW camps: Macon, GA and Charleston and Columbia, SC.
On May 11, Alexander was admitted to Emory general hospital in Washington, DC, with a “gunshot wound ball passing through biceps from without inwards,” and was furloughed from the hospital four days later.
Although he was probably still absent wounded, Alexander was transferred to Company I, Fifth Michigan infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864. He eventually joined the Fifth Michigan and was wounded again on October 27, 1864, while the Regiment was engaged at the Boydton Plank road, and where he was taken prisoner.
Alexander was never heard from again. He presumably perished in one the confederate prisoner-of-war camps in the south. Indeed, according to Van Eyck's study of Ottawa County veterans, Alexander was one of the unknowns buried near Petersburg, Virginia.
In 1879, Alexander’s mother applied for and received a pension (no. 203214).
Simon, the middle brother, was the only one to survive the war. Despite being wounded 3 times and captured, he somehow made it home in one piece. He stayed in Michigan and became a part of the GAR. Simon revisited Gettysburg during the 50th anniversary in 1913. He would pass away on January 4, 1923.
3rd MICH monument at Gettysburg.
Interesting to note that scratched out on the tag is “WAR OF 1861” and “OHIO”. His name is also misspelled on the tag, having an “A” instead of “OE”.
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Original photo of Schroeder during the Civil War. Note the A Company insignia on his cap.
JOHN SCHROEDER
John Schroeder was born in around 1837 and was from Fremont, Ohio.
Schroeder enlisted in Detroit, MI on April 18, 1861 as a fifer. On May 25, 1861, he mustered into Company A, 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
He would participate in the following battles...
First Battle of Bull Run
Peninsular Campaign
Second Battle of Bull Run
Battle of Fredericksburg
Siege of Vicksburg
Siege of Knoxville
Battle of the Wilderness
During the Battle of Malvern Hill, on July 1, 1862, Schroeder went missing in action, but returned to duty 5 weeks later on August 7.
When his 3 year enlistment expired, he was discharged on July 21, 1864.
Schroeder enlisted in Detroit, MI on April 18, 1861 as a fifer. On May 25, 1861, he mustered into Company A, 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
He would participate in the following battles...
First Battle of Bull Run
Peninsular Campaign
Second Battle of Bull Run
Battle of Fredericksburg
Siege of Vicksburg
Siege of Knoxville
Battle of the Wilderness
During the Battle of Malvern Hill, on July 1, 1862, Schroeder went missing in action, but returned to duty 5 weeks later on August 7.
When his 3 year enlistment expired, he was discharged on July 21, 1864.
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GEORGE DOWNARD
Private George Downard was born in 1839 and was from Smithfield, Ohio. He enlisted in the Union Army on August 23, 1862, to serve 3 years.
He served in Company C, 126th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
The 126th Ohio’s first action was during the First Battle of Martinsburg on June 14, 1863.
Later next month on July 23, 1863, took part in the Battle of Wapping Heights, during the final days of the Gettysburg Campaign.
Later throughout 1863, participated in the following:
Skirmish at Culpeper Court House
Battle of Bristoe Station
Battle at Kelly’s Ford
Battle at Brandy Station
Battle at Locust Grove
Battle of Mine Run
Skirmish at Mine Run
Their first action in 1864 was during the Battle of the Wilderness. The 126th Ohio entered the battle at 11 am on May 5th. At 2 pm the 126th Ohio reached the line engaged and came under heavy fire. They were engaged with the Confederates passed nightfall.
The next day, on the early morning of May 6th, the Brigade was formed for an assault and the 126th Ohio was put in the front line. They moved through the dense forest and soon made contact with the enemy. It was found that the Confederates were too great in number and strongly held their position. The 126th Ohio fought hard, but they were repulsed and were forced to leave their dead and wounded. Later the Confederates made a counterattack through the forest and made contact with the 126th Ohio. They held their position until they were surrounded and had to fall back. It was likely during this time that George had been wounded and subsequently captured by the Confederates.
The 126th Ohio suffered greatly from the ordeal, suffering over 40% casualties during the Battle of the Wilderness.
Now a POW, George was sent to the infamous Confederate POW camp, Andersonville. A really nasty camp, which was plagued by disease and starvation. However, he was a survivor ordeal and was eventually exchanged at Jacksonville, FL, on February 28, 1865. At Andersonville, nearly 13,000 POW’s would die at this camp of the 45,000 that were there.
Downard's cousin was also at Andersonville and he did not survive.
George mustered out on July 3, 1865 at Columbus, Ohio.
He served in Company C, 126th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
The 126th Ohio’s first action was during the First Battle of Martinsburg on June 14, 1863.
Later next month on July 23, 1863, took part in the Battle of Wapping Heights, during the final days of the Gettysburg Campaign.
Later throughout 1863, participated in the following:
Skirmish at Culpeper Court House
Battle of Bristoe Station
Battle at Kelly’s Ford
Battle at Brandy Station
Battle at Locust Grove
Battle of Mine Run
Skirmish at Mine Run
Their first action in 1864 was during the Battle of the Wilderness. The 126th Ohio entered the battle at 11 am on May 5th. At 2 pm the 126th Ohio reached the line engaged and came under heavy fire. They were engaged with the Confederates passed nightfall.
The next day, on the early morning of May 6th, the Brigade was formed for an assault and the 126th Ohio was put in the front line. They moved through the dense forest and soon made contact with the enemy. It was found that the Confederates were too great in number and strongly held their position. The 126th Ohio fought hard, but they were repulsed and were forced to leave their dead and wounded. Later the Confederates made a counterattack through the forest and made contact with the 126th Ohio. They held their position until they were surrounded and had to fall back. It was likely during this time that George had been wounded and subsequently captured by the Confederates.
The 126th Ohio suffered greatly from the ordeal, suffering over 40% casualties during the Battle of the Wilderness.
Now a POW, George was sent to the infamous Confederate POW camp, Andersonville. A really nasty camp, which was plagued by disease and starvation. However, he was a survivor ordeal and was eventually exchanged at Jacksonville, FL, on February 28, 1865. At Andersonville, nearly 13,000 POW’s would die at this camp of the 45,000 that were there.
Downard's cousin was also at Andersonville and he did not survive.
George mustered out on July 3, 1865 at Columbus, Ohio.
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Pvt. Horace Jones as a civilian in the 1860's
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HORACE JONES
This dog tag has been identified to Pvt. Horace Jones of Company F, 21st New York Infantry. He was born in 1840 and was from China, NY. Before the war he was a farmer.
He enlisted on May 7, 1861 and the first volunteer from his town. His father also enlisted, to his disappointment, because he wanted a man to help the family on the farm. He served in Company G, 78th New York Infantry.
Some battles Pvt. Jones would participate would be the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, Battle of South Mountain, Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksberg. During the Battle of Antietam, on September 17, 1862, he was wounded when he was hit by a bullet and shell fragmentation above the right knee. This was possibly when Pvt. Jones' "dog tag" was lost, who knows... He recovered in a field hospital. His father was also present at this battle...
Later, at Gettysburg, his father was wounded, ironically, also in the leg on July 3, 1863 and survived.
On February 10, 1863, he was contracted with a Rheumatism from his gunshot wound. Later suffered from Chronic Bronchitis after a severe storm while stationed at Aquia Creek, VA. He was placed off of active duty. He mustered out of his unit May 18, 1863 and was treated. He re-enlisted on November 27 and served in Company E, 2nd New York Mounted Rifles. I am not sure how long he served with this unit. Some notable battles they participated in were the Siege of Petersberg and Appomattox Court House.
In 1900, Pvt. Jones died under unusual circumstances from what I read, falling from a bridge into a river in the middle of the night.
He enlisted on May 7, 1861 and the first volunteer from his town. His father also enlisted, to his disappointment, because he wanted a man to help the family on the farm. He served in Company G, 78th New York Infantry.
Some battles Pvt. Jones would participate would be the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, Battle of South Mountain, Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksberg. During the Battle of Antietam, on September 17, 1862, he was wounded when he was hit by a bullet and shell fragmentation above the right knee. This was possibly when Pvt. Jones' "dog tag" was lost, who knows... He recovered in a field hospital. His father was also present at this battle...
Later, at Gettysburg, his father was wounded, ironically, also in the leg on July 3, 1863 and survived.
On February 10, 1863, he was contracted with a Rheumatism from his gunshot wound. Later suffered from Chronic Bronchitis after a severe storm while stationed at Aquia Creek, VA. He was placed off of active duty. He mustered out of his unit May 18, 1863 and was treated. He re-enlisted on November 27 and served in Company E, 2nd New York Mounted Rifles. I am not sure how long he served with this unit. Some notable battles they participated in were the Siege of Petersberg and Appomattox Court House.
In 1900, Pvt. Jones died under unusual circumstances from what I read, falling from a bridge into a river in the middle of the night.
