Shelden E. Crittenden He enlisted in Company F on July 30, 1862 at Detroit. Shelden was 25 years old. He wasn't mustered into service until August 15, 1862, and so had time for a prolonged farewell.
Shelden E. Crittenden He enlisted in Company F on July 30, 1862
at Detroit. Shelden was 25 years old. He wasn't mustered into
service until August 15, 1862, and so had time for a prolonged
farewell.
He was wounded in action at Gettysburg on July 1, 1862. The nature of his wound is not known but it was severe enough that he was not able to leave the field and was captured when the Confederates over-ran the 24th's position. In the wake of the repulse of Pickett's Charge, the Confederates retreated, leaving behind the more seriously wounded prisoners. Shelden was among those "fortunate" enough to be left behind. After a period of recuperation, Shelden returned to duty with the Regiment.
Shelden fought throughout Grant's campaign in the spring of 1864. Poor Shelden was a victim of one of the most grossly mis-handled operations of the war. He was taken Prisoner on "Brook's Expedition on July 22, 1864.
Curtis (p. 267) describes the expedition this way:
After the Petersburg battle, a company of thirty-two men from the regiments of the Iron Brigade, under Adjutant E. P. Brooks of the Sixth Wisconsin, was sent out to destroy some bridges at Roanoke on the Danville Railroad. The men were picked, well armed and mounted. On the morning of June 22, they found a Confederate officer at home "sick." They paroled him and rode on. At mid-afternoon the company halted at a farm house, dismounted and stacked arms for supper, without throwing out any guard. Soon after they were surprised by a demand from the paroled officer of the morning to surrender. He had gathered a lot of farmers who with shotguns went in pursuit. Deploying his squad over a hill so that only the heads of their horses and men could be seen, they appeared more numerous than they were. He demanded of the Brooks Company a surrender to his "superior force," which was complied with. All their horses, accouterments, and arms were taken from them and the whole command made prisoners of war. Five of this company belonged to the Twenty-Fourth Michigan: Anthony Long, of A; Samuel W. Foster, of C; Shelden E. Crittenden, of F; George Martin, of G; and Corporal Frederick Bosardis, of I
This time Shelden was taken South into captivity. He was sent to Andersonville, where he was held prisoner for 8 months. He was eventually paroled and returned to the Regiment on March 1, 1865. He was promoted to Sergeant on April 1, 1865. Shelden Crittenden mustered out with the regiment at Detroit on June 30, 1865.
Shelden Crittenden attended the Dedication of the 24th Michigan's Monument at "Michigan Day at Gettysburg" , June 12th-14th, 1889. Amongst the items in a scrapbook kept by John Parish was this article about Shelden Crittenden - The date and newspaper are unknown:
Photo Above is from this newspaper clipping
EDITORS NOTE: This is the sixth in a series of short articles on Ypsilanti's veterans of the Civil War.
Shelden E. Crittenden, as a member of the well-known "Iron Brigade" guarded the train which bore the body of the assassinated President Abraham Lincoln back to his home from Washington in 1865. Mr.. Crittenden had served in the Union Army during the last two years of the Civil War.
Born in New York state October 23, 1837, he came to this district at the age of four years and has lived here since with the exception of 12 years spent in Kansas on a soldiers' claim following the war.
He enlisted at Detroit July 30, 1862 in the 24th Michigan Infantry, and served with that regiment until mustered out June 30, 1865. During the war he was captured in battle and spent eight months as a Confederate prisoner in Andersonville prison. He was a sergeant in Co. F.
Mr.. Crittenden was a farmer all his life until he retired about 20 years ago and came into the city to live.
He married Elizabeth Eaton on Sept. 4, 1867. His wife being taken by death six years ago. Two sons and a daughter, Mortimer and Eaton Crittenden and Mrs. Elmer Warner live in Ypsilanti, while another daughter Mrs. E. O. Scott resides in Ann Arbor. Mr. Crittenden has seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
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