Sirel Chilson

A Native of Huron, Michigan, during the summer of 1862 Sirel Chilson was working as a schoolteacher in Van Buren. He enlisted in company D, August 5, 1862 at Van Buren. Age 19. Mustered August 13, 1862.

During the action at Fredericksburg, O. B. Curtis (p.93) reports the following incidence:

While there, one of our batteries crossed the ravine and opened fire on the enemy's batteries. In a short time, orders came for the Twenty-fourth to advance and support the battery. It marched to the ravine. Some lay in a ditch, others in water, the shot and shell whizzing over their heads as thick as hail from batteries on the right, left, and center, which filled the air and ploughed the earth around. The artillerists were wounded and reduced. A call was made for volunteers to man the guns, and immediately privates Seril Chilson and Abram H. Burden of D, and Sullivan D. Green of F stepped to the front and worked the battery the rest of the day.

He was promoted to 4th Corporal on January 25, 1863, apparently in recognition of his excellent service at Fredericksburg. Sirel was the clerk for Brigade Quartermaster from January 10, 1863. to August 25, 1863.. . Commissioned First Lieutenant and Adjutant to date from September 1, 1863. He was mustered at that rank on September 15, 1863.

Sirel was on a leave of absence from December 19, 1863 through January 5, 1864. It is quite likely that Sirel had a photograph taken showing his new rank and uniform during this leave. If so, however, it has not yet come to light. On June 5, 1864 Adjutant Chilson was re-assigned as an acting aide on General Cutler's Staff at Division Headquarters. While serving in this capacity, he was killed in action at Petersburg, Virginia, June 18, 1864.

O. B. Curtis, the regimental historian, was a close friend of Sirel Chilson. His history includes a lengthy description of the death of Chilson (p. 264-265)

In the Petersburg battle, the Twenty-fourth Michigan lost one of its bravest and most promising young officers - Adjutant Seril Chilson who was killed while serving on General Cutler's staff. The fatal ball severed the jugular vein and came out near the eye. He fell forward on his horse which bore him back to his lines and which became drenched with his blood. Chaplain Way thus wrote of the sad event at the time:

All mourn his loss, but our morning is not without hope. During the latter part of the winter he felt the justice of God's claim upon his affections and for some time before breaking camp he fully consecrated his heart to God. In conversation three days before his death he gave the happy assurance that all was well, and said that if he fell in battle it would only be to exchange this for a better state of existence. He freely gave of himself to his country and God took him home.

Recording this incident recall sad reminiscences. This noble young officer and the writer of these pages had been friends in youth, as students and teachers. Each had enlisted in the same company, unbeknown to the other until they met at Camp Barnes. Neither joined in the scramble for positions and received none. On mustering day, our young comrade was too weak to stand to be sworn in without leaning on the support of his friend. Captain Speed of their company, whom neither knew before coming into camp, after the muster, assured both of his regret that no non-commissioned positions were left unfilled, but their promotion should follow their soldierly merits when vacancies occurred. Such words inspired both with a friendly rivalry for advancement. The day of battle came and found one sick with pneumonia at Brook's Station, Virginia, sixteen miles from the field of Fredericksburg. Knowing that absence from the ranks in the engagement might be misconstrued and result in being outranked by other in the promotion list. he hastened from a sick bed to find his own regiment, and failing to do this became mingled with another in the battle and came out both maimed for life and all chances for promotion forever gone. His comrade on that battle day won promotion on the field by volunteering to help man a battery and establish a dangerous picket line. In due time his reward came as Adjutant of the twenty-fourth Michigan. While under twenty years of age, and having won an honorable record, he was cut down in the harvest of death, on the threshold of early manhood - a martyr to his country. Farewell friend of our youth! May his comrades revere his memory as they pass his grave on the banks of the Huron.

He was probably related to Henry Chilson, of also of Van Buren who enlisted as a drummer in company D, and possibly to George Chilson, who service record is oddly similar to Sirel's.

Sirel Chilson was in the battle of Fredericksburg, the Campaign of Maneuvers, Locust Grove, Mine Run, the Reconnaissance to Raccoonville, the battles of Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania, Jericho Ford, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. His duty with the Brigade Quartermaster kept him out of the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

The following is from a newspaper clipping found in an old family bible. The date and newspaper are, for the moment, unknown.

FUNERAL OF THE LATE ADJUTANT CHILSON - The remains of the late Adjutant Chilson of the 24th Infantry, were interred on Tuesday in the beautiful little cemetery, near Belleville, about 30 miles from this city - the funeral oration being pronounced by the Reverend Mr. Knickerbocker. the cortege was composed of people from many parts of the State, and considering the very short notice given of the funeral, (but a few hours,) it showed that his circle of friends must have been very large. Probably in the records of army life, many instances could not be found, where one so young has been so popular among all classes. He was popular without aiming at popularity, and was admired by all because he chose rather to perform his duty, than to seek their admiration. He was admired for every trait of his character. Brave as the bravest - a gentleman in every sense, and a Christian, his loss will be deeply felt by his regiment, only second to his own family. Adjutant Chilson enlisted two years ago as a private in the late Captain Speed's company, (D,) and served in that capacity until after the battle of Fredericksburg. He then distinguished himself for his coolness in danger and his military ability. No officer feeling disposed to attempt it, private Chilson volunteered, and posted the skirmish line in the face of the enemy, and commanded it through the engagement. He was then promoted to the rank of Corporal, but was shortly afterwards detailed for duty at the Brigade Commissary Department, where he remained until after the battle of Gettysburg. In September of 1863, he was promoted to a `First' Lieutenancy and appointed Adjutant by Colonel Morrow, and acted efficiently in that capacity until a few days previous to his death when he was placed upon General Cutler's staff. In the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania C. H. he rendered himself conspicuous for his great daring, apparently knowing no fear, and riding about through the thickest of the fight, with coolness, frequently regulated the line and kept it in order. It was in this way, and with his uniform politeness and kindness, that he was so much loved by those around him. though under 21 years of age, his vigorous and bright intellectual powers, coupled with a worldly wisdom creditable to one 20 years his senior, rendered him the foremost in any group.

Newspaper Clipping Courtesy of Sirel's possible descendant, Robert Ford amrad2@compuserve.com