Albert Anson Wallace was a native of Dearborn, and was a farmer there
in the summer of 1862, probably working on the family farm. He enlisted
for three years in Company D of the 24th Michigan Volunteers on August 5,
1862, listing his age as 20. There is a family tradition that he went to
war “under-age,” since his actual birth date was July 25, 1843,
and he was only 19. Company D was mustered in on August 15, 1862. The 24th
Michigan left Detroit on August 29 and arrived in Washington, D.C. on September
2. It was assigned to General Gibbon’s 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st
Corps, the Iron Brigade, on October 8.
Wallace saw action at Fredericksburg on December 12 and 13, 1862; Port Royal, April 23, 1863; Fitz Hugh Crossing, April 29; Chancellorsville, May 3; Westmoreland, May 23; and Gettysburg, July 1. Wallace was taken prisoner on the first day of Gettysburg. It is not known where he spent the next two months but he was most likely taken with other prisoners to Richmond. It can be speculated that he might have been held at the Rebel prison in Ligon’s Tobacco Factory. Whatever the case, Wallace was returned to his regiment on September 10, 1863, probably as the result of a prisoner exchange. The 24th Michigan saw action at Mine Run, November 29; Raccoon Ford, February 5, 1864; and the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5-7.
In recognition of his service, Albert was promoted to corporal on May 1, 1864. He was not to serve in his new rank for long. He may never have had the chance to sew on his chevrons. On the night of May 7, the 24th Michigan marched toward Spotsylvania Court House. During this campaign the 24th was assigned to Cutler’s 1st Brigade of Wadsworth’s 4th Division in Warren’s 5th Corps. Warren’s Corps was deployed from the outset at that part of Spotsylvania battlefield called Laurel Hill, on the Federal right. On May 12 during a particularly chilling rain, that Corps conducted a supporting attack while Hancock’s 2nd Corps led the main attack against the Mule Shoe Salient. Albert Anson Wallace died of gunshot wounds at Laurel Hill, VA, on May 12, 1864. Wallace is not listed as buried in any of the national cemeteries, and therefore is likely interred as an unknown in the National Cemetery at Fredericksburg.
Most of the information on this page was provided by Albert's descendant: Stephen L. Barten, BenDover14@aol.com
Last Updated: 04/07/99
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All original material @ Copyright 1998, 1999 Stephen L. Barton