George W. Chilson

Born in Wayne County, at the time of the Regiment's formation George was a 19 year old farmer in Van Buren. He enlisted in Company F, at the rank of 7th corporal, July 30, 1862, at Detroit and was mustered August 15, 1862.

He was wounded in the body (possibly severely) and captured by the enemy at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. Unable to travel, the Confederates paroled him on the field and left him behind when they retreated. He returned to the Regiment on October 13, 1863. He acted as the Brigade hospital steward during the early months of 1864 - perhaps because his Gettysburg wound was still not fully healed.

He was promoted to be the 4th sergeant of Company F on May 1, 1864. Commissioned 1st Lieutenant Company D, May 6, 1864. Mustered at that Rank, August 14, 1864. Between June 20 and August 14, 1864 he was on leave of absence. He was in the ambulance corps from August 16, 1864 through September of the same year. He was the Acting Regimental Quartermaster from October 3, 1864 through January 8, 1865.

He next became the acting regimental adjutant from January 8 through February 1, 1865. He then became an aide on the Iron Brigade staff on February 5, 1865. When the 24th Michigan was ordered to Camp Butler, Lt. Chilson remained with the remainder of the brigade for a time, before joining the Regiment in Illinois. He again acted as regimental adjutant from April 24 to June 17, 1865. George mustered out with the Regiment at Detroit June 30, 1865.

He participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Fitzhugh Crossing, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Locust Grove, Wilderness, Laurel Hill and the Muleshoe at Spottsylvania, Jericho Ford, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church (Cold Harbor), Assault and Siege of Petersburg, and Dabney's Mill. He was present on the Mud March and the Port Royal and Westmoreland Expeditions, as well as the Campaign of Maneuvers and Mine Run.

He later had a long record of service with the regular army. He enlisted as second lieutenant with the 14th U. S. Infantry, February 23, 1866, and was promoted to first lieutenant on July 9, 1866. He transferred to the 32nd Infantry on September 21, 1866, and later transferred to the 21st Infantry on April 19th, 1869. After being unassigned for more than a year, he joined the 8th Cavalry on December 15th, 1870. He was promoted to captain on December 28, 1871. His long military career came to an end at Fort Duncan, Texas, (alternately reported as Las Vegas, New Mexico) where he died on January 18, 1881. He was only 38. The Photograph above was taken after his promotion to Lieutenant.

George was probably related to Henry and Seril Chilson also from Van Buren. The exact nature of this relationship is, for the moment, unknown.