George H. Lang

George H. Lang was born in Canton, Michigan. In 1862 he was a farmer and still lived in Canton. He enlisted in Company D on August 13, 1862 at Canton. One of the last to join the Regiment, he was mustered into service on the same day. Because of this, he didn't have the luxury of a prolonged parting from his family. The never saw him again. He was 22.

The fighting at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863 ended in confusion. The men of the 24th were virtually surrounded and individually and in small groups they made their way to the federal positions on Cemetery Hill. Not all were able to escape, however. George H. Lang was among those taken prisoner. When the Confederate army retreated to Virginia, George was among the prisoners taken south. For George and many others, a southern prison led to a southern grave.

George was admitted into a hospital in Richmond, Virginia on October 30, 1863. The nature of his illness is not know, but probably can be attributed to the harsh conditions that prevailed in the POW camps. George H. Lang died of disease while in prison at Belle Isle, Richmond, Va. on December 18, 1864. His body was originally laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond. After the war, most of the Union dead in Oakwood were removed to the Richmond National Cemetery, many as "unknowns".

Descendant: Michelle Green MGreen0519@aol.com