Ira Fletcher, a native of Brownstown enlisted
in Company K on July 31, 1862 at Brownstown. The officers of the
company saw great potential in Ira, and the made him 1st. Corporal
on his enlistment; he was only 18. He was mustered into service
with his company on August 14, 1862.
Ira's service was exceptional. He was promoted to 5th Sergeant on December 15, 1862, probably because of good performance at Fredericksburg.
Ira was wounded and captured by the Confederates on July 1, 1863 and was taken south by Lee's retreating army. The Rebels left most of their seriously wounded prisoners behind, so we might infer that Ira's wound was not severe. He was held for a time in Richmond, although exactly which prison is not known.
Ira was paroled on September 23, 1863 Apparently his health was not good; he was given an extended furlough and did not return to duty with the Regiment until June 6, 1864. He was promoted to First Sergeant on November 1, 1864. He was again promoted, this time to Regimental Sergeant Major on January 7, 1865.
During late June 1864, the Regiment's strength was at low ebb. Numbering 1030 men when they left Detroit, the Twenty-fourth Michigan was down to less than 100 effectives. At one point K was down to just three: Captain Dodsley, Sergeant Ira Fletcher, and Private Elijah Little. O. B. Curtis relates that "during this period it afforded amusement to witness the evolutions of this company." (p. 275).
After the Regiment was transferred to duty at Camp Butler, and recruits began to fill the depleted ranks, Ira was promoted to fill a vacant 2nd Lieutenant slot in his old company K. His promotion was issued on April 21, 1865 but was to rank from March 30, 1865. Ira was the Acting Adjutant from March to May 17, 1865.
Ira Mustered out with the Regiment at Detroit on June 30, 1865. After the war, Ira studied medicine, and practiced in Wayne for a number of years. Ira was mentored by another Wayne physician, Dr. Alexander Collar, formerly assistant surgeon of the 24th. The two were reportedly close friends and may have roomed together for a time.
Ira married Mary L. Collins (1851-1914). The two had one child,
Edward (1871-1893), who died at the age of 19. Ira's home and
office were located at the southeast corner of Main and First
streets in Wayne.
Ira died on May 9, 1883. He was only 39 years old. Alexander Collar would survive him by only few months, and the two are buried in adjoining lots.
The photograph on this page is believed to date around 1875.
The photograph of Ira in uniform is courtesy of the State Archives of Michigan. Used with permission. The photograph of Ira in later life is courtesy of the Wayne Historical Museum Used with permission.