William W. Croff - CO E 6th Michigan Cavalry - GAR Veteran - Big Rapids Michigan 49307 - Highland View Cemetery - (GPS N43°42.191, W085°29.491)
The weblink on this page offers much more information on this unit.
The Sixth Infantry was organized at Kalamazoo, being accepted into the United States service on August 20, 1861. It was composed of the following companies: the "Berrian County Rifles" of Miles, the "St. Joseph Volunteers" of St. Joseph, the "Schoolcraft Light Guard", of Schoolcraft, the "Dowagiac Light Infantry" of Dowagiac, the "Wolverine Rifle Rangers" of Marshall, the "Saline Sharpshooters" of Saline, the "Littlejohn Light Guard" of Allegan, the "Eaton Rifles" of Charlotte, the "Albion Rifle Rangers" of Albion and the "Beardsley Guard" of Niles.
The Regiment, under the command of Colonel Frederick W. Cortenius of Kalamazoo, started from its rendezvous to join the Army of the Potomac, August 30, 1861, with an enrollment of 944 officers and men. While the Sixth expected to become part of the Army of the Potomac, the fortunes of war placed most of its service in the southwest, on the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico. The Regiment was recruited for the Infantry arm of the service serving as such until July, 1863, when General Banks converted it into a Regiment of Heavy Artillery, on account of its valuable and faithful service, his official order stating that the Regiment is "to retain, until further official notice, its infantry number, and to have the organization, pay, clothing and equipment as prescribed by regulations for troops of the artillery arm." The Regiment is therefore frequently referred to as the Sixth Infantry and also the Sixth Heavy Artillery.
The men and women shown on this website fought and sacrificed for our freedom.
The site is intended to preserve and protect their memory and allow us to honor their service to our great country.
Through this website, these individual soldiers, placed one page at a time will never be forgotten.
If you find a family member and desire to visit the gravesite, the GPS co-ordinances will take you to the location.
Read more about the 6th Michigan in the Civil War at 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.
Big Rapids, Michigan, 49307
http://www.michiganinthewar.org/infantry/6thinf.htm 
