Frank T. Stewart

Frank was born in Ovid, New York on March 29, 1844. His father's name is unknown, but he must have died when Frank was young. An American-born merchant sailor named Cornelius, living in Ovid, New York may have been an uncle. Frank had at least three siblings, an older brother William, a younger brother also named Cornelius (born in 1846 or 1847) and a sister named Elnorah born in 1854.

By 1860, both Frank and his brother Cornelius were living in Plymouth Michigan. The census that year indicated that Frank was a 16 year old laborer and he lived with a 35 year old professional mason named William McLaughlin. Cornelius, 13, lived with the Nathan Chandler family and was a student. Later, during the war, Frank indicated that his next of kin was Clark Stewart of Plymouth, Michigan. Just who this person was remains unclear, although it may have been a nick name for Cornelius.

Based on primary documents, the local community seems to have been very inter-connected. In fact, it appears that there had been some sort of organized movement of people from the finger lakes region of New York to the Plymouth, Michigan area.

In 1862, both William McLaughlin and Frank enlisted in Captain Crosby's company C of the Twenty-Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Company C was recruited in the little town of Plymouth and adjacent areas, including Nankin township. The company was very close-knit, much more so than the companies raised primarily in Detroit. Upon his muster, Frank was given $25 out of a $100 federal bounty (given to all soldiers enlisting for 2 years or more), the remainder due at muster out. Like the rest of the men, Frank was advanced a month's pay, $13 (with a $4 "premium"). The examining surgeon indicated that Frank was 5'8" tall (he was elsewhere reported to be 5'10") and had hazel (or gray) eyes, black hair, and a "florid" (or dark) complexion.

Frank was absent sick from April 22, 1863. He was admitted to 1st Division, I Corps hospital at Windmill Point, (near Aquia Creek) with Bronchitis on April 29,1863. Frank, therefore did not participate in the action at Fitzhugh's Crossing, and he probably missed Chancellorsville as well. He was admitted to Mount Pleasant General Hospital, Washington D. C, on June 14, 1863 for rheumatism. The doctors apparently did not think this problem serious as he was returned to duty the next day. He was present on the July muster. He probably was at Gettysburg, and since there is no record of his being a casualty, he might have been one of the 6 men from company C who answered roll call on July 2nd.

Frank was not always an exemplary soldier; in November or December 1863, he was fined $10 by order of a regimental court-martial (reason not given, possibly drinking or gambling). He was assigned to the provost guard in March 1864. By the opening of Grant's campaign, he had returned to duty with the Regiment.

Frank was shot in the "outer aspect of the right carpus" (hand) on May 5th, during the battle of the Wilderness. Although not permanently debilitating, the wound was severe. Frank probably spent some time in the I Corps field hospital, and may have later been moved to Fredericksburg, Va. On May 12 he was admitted to Mt. Pleasant General Hospital, Washington DC., where his wound was treated. On May 15th he was transferred to Jarvis General Hospital, Baltimore. Frank was given medical furlough in Detroit from May 20 until June 16, 1864. He was eventually reimbursed $11.66 for transportation expenses. He reported back to St. Mary's Hospital, Detroit, but was listed as having deserted on June 23. The notation in his pension file "No record of his return from desertion" undoubtedly delayed his pension application, despite that obvious fact that he did return to duty!

In recognition of his service, Frank was promoted to the rank of corporal on October 1, 1864. On December 16, 1864 Colonel Morrow issued Special Order #68 which appointed Frank and several others to the regimental color guard.

His friend and mentor William McLaughlin was wounded on May 6th, 1864 in the Wilderness. After the Army of the Potomac moved to Spottsylvania, William was left behind in the care of the confederates. He died on May 9, 1864. His body was buried on the field. The corpse may have later been removed to the Fredericksburg National Cemetery as an unknown. William might also still lie on that bloodstained field in a forgotten grave.

Frank was absent with leave during the latter part of May 1865. Although the starting date of this furlough is not known, He probably attended President Lincoln's Funeral before leaving. Frank's activities during this furlough are uncertain. He likely spent at least a portion of it back in Plymouth visiting friends and probably his fiancée. Frank returned to the regiment on or about June 3, 1865, but the war was effectively over by this point. Frank was "with colors" (i.e., still on the color guard) when the regiment returned to Detroit. He mustered out with the regiment on June 30, 1865.

Helen Payne
Wartime Photograph
	The revenue stamp on the back of this image dates it from mid 1864 to 1866. It is tempting to think that Frank may have carried this picture of his beloved during the last months of his service. There is a faint pencil inscription that reads in part "step and fetch it --Helen".

On August 28, 1865, Frank Stewart, 20, married Helen Payne, 19, another resident of Plymouth. Orrin Kingsley, of Romulus and a former member of company D, 24th Michigan was one of the witnesses. The young couple moved to Bangor Michigan, where Frank found work as a boot and shoemaker. While at Bangor, Frank met John M. Burch in the fall of 1866. John Burch was "a near neighbor and an intimate acquaintance for several years." Asked later to provide an affidavit for Frank's pension, Mr. Burch was careful to state that Franks habits were "good and temperate." The 1870 census indicates that Francis McLaughlin, 16 was a member of their household. Francis may have been James' daughter, sent to live with Frank's new family. The census also indicated that Frank had $500 dollars in "Real Estate" and $200 personal property. He and his new family were apparently doing well. While in Bangor, Frank joined the Masonic order and rose to the rank of master mason. Also while in Bangor, Frank broke his leg in an accident, and had to have it set by a "Dr. Ferguson".

At some point, however, tragedy struck. In 1880 Frank was living alone in a rooming house in Bay City, Michigan. Helen Stewart (or Payne) is not listed on the 1880 Michigan census. The inference is that Helen had died.

Frank enlisted in Company H of the 10th U.S. Infantry on September 7, 1884. This is further evidence that Helen was dead - married men were not allowed to enlist as private soldiers. During this period, the 10th Infantry formed the garrison at Fort Wayne. In 1900, on one of his many pension affidavits, Frank would state: "I contracted severe colds resulting in rheumatism in the spring of the year 1884 at Fort Wayne near Detroit Mich. from exposure while on duty and in the barracks." Elsewhere Frank stated that: "The barracks quarters at Fort Wayne are situated on the Detroit River and are damp and cold." Frank was discharged at the completion of his term on September 12, 1888.

Franks whereabouts during the winter of 1888-1889 are unknown. He may have used the money due him on his muster out to travel about the country.

On March 23, 1889 Frank enlisted in Company H of the 5th U. S. Infantry at Fort Hancock, Texas. Frank told the recruiting officer that he was 38, when he was actually 45. Time had not been kind to Frank. He suffered almost continuously from rheumatism. He had a major episode while work knee-deep in water digging a well at Fort Bliss, Texas. According to his discharge papers, Frank had been confined to the post guard house and was on a work detail cleaning out the water tank at Jackson Barracks, Louisiana (just outside of New Orleans) when he suffered another severe bout of rheumatism. The examining surgeon indicated that chronic rheumatism affected "his right shoulder, elbow, wrist, and finger joints which incapacitates him for duty on account of pain and inability to move the parts named." He was in the post hospital from June 18 to September 15, 1891, and was then transferred to the army hospital at Hot Springs Arkansas from September 15 to December 11, 1891. After serving 3 years of a 5 year enlistment, he was honorably discharged for "chronic rheumatism" on February 12, 1892.

Frank first applied for pension on March 7, 1892 and claimed rheumatism as the cause of disability. At the time his residence was Northville Michigan - he was probably staying with his brother Cornelius, who lived in that village. The pension application states that Frank had returned to being a shoemaker. The attorneys for the pension claim were James H. Taylor and George C. Payne. Mr. Payne was probably a relative of Helen's - possibly a brother. Frank would continue to have difficulty with his pension applications, and would have to undergo periodic review.

Frank's GAR pin
John A. Logan Post #1 Grand Rapids, Michigan

Frank tried to make his way for three years, but was having difficulties. He sent a supporting affidavit for his pension in September of 1893 while a resident of Belding, in Ionia County, Michigan. He applied for admission to the Michigan Soldiers and Sailors Home in 1893 citing severe rheumatism. He was discharged and re-admitted to the Michigan Soldiers Home 10 times over the next 25 years. In his file there is a letter from the Home's physician recommending against his re-admission on the grounds that Frank was a "chronic drunk".

From 1903 until at least 1907, Frank was a resident of the National Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While there, there was some difficulty with his pension and he filed another Declaration for Pension on March 1st, 1907. In 1911, Frank returned to the Michigan Soldiers Home, and had his pension transferred.

Frank remained proud of his Civil War service. He was not able to attend "Michigan Day at Gettysburg" in 1889 because he was in active service and stationed in Louisiana. He did join the GAR, specifically the John A. Logan Post #1, which was headquartered at the Michigan Soldiers and Sailors Home.

Frank lived out the last few years of his life forgotten by his family and relations. Frank died on November 20, 1918 at the age of 74, and was buried on November 22, 1918. If the accusations of his alcoholism were true, perhaps it is best that he died before the advent of prohibition.