Lewis Chamberlain

Lewis Chamberlain was born in Brownstown, Michigan in 1843. During the summer of 1862 he was working in Ypsilanti as a clerk. Lewis enlisted in Company F as 4th Sergeant on August 12, 1862 at Detroit. He was 19 years of age. He was mustered into federal service on August 15, 1862.

Chamberlain was on detached service at 1st Army Corps Headquarters from May 17 to September 9, 1863.

He was on detached recruiting duty in Grand Rapids and Jackson, Michigan from February 1 to August 13, 1864.. He returned to duty with the regiment on August 14, 1864. While still in Michigan, he was promoted several times. He was promoted to company First Sergeant on May 1, 1864. He was next promoted to First Lieutenant on July 6, 1864 to rank from November 22, 1863. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed Regimental Adjutant on July 28, 1864 to rank from July 19, 1864. He was mustered as adjutant on August 14, 1864. In his capacity as Regimental Adjutant, Chamberlain acted as a polling clerk during the presidential election of 1864.

Chamberlain was wounded during the fighting at Dabney's Mill on February 7, 1865. In March 1865, after the regiment was transferred to duty at Camp Butler in Springfield, Illinois, Adjutant Chamberlain was assigned to "escort" 300 conscripts from Camp Butler to New York.

During his service, Lewis Chamberlain was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Fitzhugh Crossing, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Locust Grove, the Siege of Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run and Dabney's Mill.. He also participated in the Mud March, the Port Royal expedition, the Campaign of Maneuvers, Mine Run, the Reconnaissances to Yellow Tavern and Vaughn Road, and the Raid to the Meherrin River.

He mustered out with the regiment at Detroit, Michigan on June 30, 1865.

Although he did not attend Michigan Day at Gettysburg in 1889, he did contribute to the fund so that his old comrades would be able to do so.

The 1904 Roster of the Survivors of the Iron Brigade lists him as living at 49 east High Street, Detroit. The 1923 Roster of the Survivors of the Iron Brigade lists Chamberlain as living at 410 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, Michigan. He would have been 80 years old.

Photograph courtesy of the State Archives of Michigan. Used with permission.