Veterans
Thomas Kaminski, a Boy Scout and very special person decided that he needed to do something to improve the looks of the markers at the Grand Rapids Veterans Cemetery. Thomas spent several weeks alone cleaning the dirty and moss covered markers until a newspaper article in The Grand Rapids Press spotlighted his efforts and the need for help. Thomas was met this morning, August 30th, 2008, by close to 300 people armed with buckets, brushes, bleach, elbow grease and very generous spirits. Thomas inspired close to 300 people to take action and now the Veterans Cemetery is a much brighter place. Parents were teaching their children as they worked and read the names of the Veterans buried there. The "seeds" are now planted and soldiers will be remembered by the children and the day spent on hallowed ground. Hopefully, the spirit of the soldiers will live on in the hearts of the workers and those who were unable to make it today.
"Show me the manner in which a nation or a community cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender sympathies of its people, their respect for the law of the land and their loyalty to high ideals. Herbert John Gladstone - English Statesman
To Know the character of a community, I need only visit its cemeteries. Benjamin Franklin
Grand Rapids, Michigan
http://www.mlive.com/grpress/news/index.ssf/2008/08/teen_cle
William A. Blanding CO C 13th Michigan Infantry Died in the Civil War 1865 - US GAR Veteran Lowell Michigan Krum Blanding Cemetery (GPS N42°57.488, W085°24.074)
The Thirteenth was organized at Kalamazoo under the direction of Colonel Charles E. Stuart of that city and mustered into the service of the United States on January 17, 1862, with an enrollment of 935 officers and men. The Regiment left the state on February 12, under the command of Colonel Michael Shoemaker, who was commissioned in place of Colonel Stuart, who had resigned, and proceeded to Nashville, Tenn. 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.
After the occupation of Corinth, Miss., General Buell's army marched east along the Memphis and Charleston R.R., to repair it. The Thirteenth arrived at Stevenson, Ala. on the 18th of July, where it helped to build strong fortifications, as that place was then a depot of supplies and contained vast stores for the army.
General Buell moved his headquarters to Dechard, north of Stevenson, on the line of the Nashville and Chattanooga R.R., leaving on the Thirteenth with a small garrison to hold Stevenson. Here Colonel Shoemaker received a series of orders, one day to evacuate the post and fall back to Dechard, then the next to remain and defend the place to the last extremity. Bridgeport, Ala., south of Stevenson, was abandoned on the 25th, its small force joining the garrison at Stevenson. Huntsville, Ala., was also abandoned, and upon the arrival of the trains carrying the stores from that place, with the Tenth Wisconsin Infantry, the whole command was ordered to withdraw and proceed to join the army at Dechard. The Confederates attacked before the Union forces left Stevenson; but, were repulsed. Then a long march continued night and day over horrible roads across the mountains until Cowan was reached, where Colonel Shoemaker learned the army had left Dechard. He pressed forward, reaching Tullahoma, September 2nd, where he joined General Smith's division of Buell's army. Colonel Shoemaker was highly complimented by the commanding General for bringing in all his forces, artillery and baggage without loss of either men or equipment.
To read more about the 13th Michigan - follow the weblink on this page.
You can also read more by purchasing the recommended books from Amazon. We recommend that you purchase the slightly used books for price and the 1st edition hardbound books for value.
Lowell, Michigan, 49331
http://www.michiganinthewar.org/infantry/13thinf.htm
Major Silas A. Yerkes Major of 13th Michigan Infantry Died in the Civi War 1865 - US GAR Veteran Lowell Michigan Krum Blanding Cemetery (GPS N42°57.488, W085°24.074)
The Thirteenth was organized at Kalamazoo under the direction of Colonel Charles E. Stuart of that city and mustered into the service of the United States on January 17, 1862, with an enrollment of 935 officers and men. The Regiment left the state on February 12, under the command of Colonel Michael Shoemaker, who was commissioned in place of Colonel Stuart, who had resigned, and proceeded to Nashville, Tenn. 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.
After the occupation of Corinth, Miss., General Buell's army marched east along the Memphis and Charleston R.R., to repair it. The Thirteenth arrived at Stevenson, Ala. on the 18th of July, where it helped to build strong fortifications, as that place was then a depot of supplies and contained vast stores for the army.
General Buell moved his headquarters to Dechard, north of Stevenson, on the line of the Nashville and Chattanooga R.R., leaving on the Thirteenth with a small garrison to hold Stevenson. Here Colonel Shoemaker received a series of orders, one day to evacuate the post and fall back to Dechard, then the next to remain and defend the place to the last extremity. Bridgeport, Ala., south of Stevenson, was abandoned on the 25th, its small force joining the garrison at Stevenson. Huntsville, Ala., was also abandoned, and upon the arrival of the trains carrying the stores from that place, with the Tenth Wisconsin Infantry, the whole command was ordered to withdraw and proceed to join the army at Dechard. The Confederates attacked before the Union forces left Stevenson; but, were repulsed. Then a long march continued night and day over horrible roads across the mountains until Cowan was reached, where Colonel Shoemaker learned the army had left Dechard. He pressed forward, reaching Tullahoma, September 2nd, where he joined General Smith's division of Buell's army. Colonel Shoemaker was highly complimented by the commanding General for bringing in all his forces, artillery and baggage without loss of either men or equipment.
To read more about the 13th Michigan - follow the weblink on this page.
You can also read more by purchasing the recommended books from Amazon. We recommend that you purchase the slightly used books for price and the 1st edition hardbound books for value.
Lowell, Michigan, 49331
http://www.michiganinthewar.org/infantry/13thinf.htm
Charles Sickels CO S, 9th MI Infantry GAR, and Wife Sarah E. Sickels, Lake Odessa, Michigan 48849 Cemetery (GPS N42°46.518, W085°07.439)
The Ninth Michigan Infantry was organized at Fort Wayne, near Detroit, and was mustered into the United States service on Oct. 15, 1861, with an enrollment of 913 officers and men. Immediately upon its completion the 9th Michigan was ordered to Kentucky, being one of the first Michigan regiments to report for duty in the Western Department.
In November, 1861, the 9th Infantry was at West Point, Ky., where it assisted in fortifying Muldraugh Hill, building roads and bridges. Detachments of the Ninth Michigan Infantry were sent to Elizabethtown, Ky. and other places surrounding West Point, Ky., where their presence was necessary to gain information, while protecting the countryside from marauding Confederate forces. Colonel W. W. Duffield, having been assigned the 23rd Brigade, Army of the Cumberland, Lieutenant Colonel John J. Parkhurst assumed command of the Ninth and assembling his Regiment at West Point, where it embarked on the Ohio River, proceeding to Nashville, arriving there on Jan. 23, 1862.
The 9th Michigan Infantry Regiment participated on the march through Kentucky after the Confederate General John Morgan, assisting the 23rd Brigade in driving the notorious raider from the state. In June, the Ninth Infantry formed a part of a force of 9,000 troops under command of General Negley, and then commenced a movement to capture Chattanooga, Tenn.
Read more about the 9th Michigan by following the weblink on this page.
You can also read more by purchasing the recommended books from Amazon. We recommend that you purchase the slightly used books for price and the 1st edition hardbound books for value.
Lake Odessa, Michigan, 48849
http://www.michiganinthewar.org/infantry/9thinf.htm
