July 31, 1862
Colonel Morrow directs all recruiting officers for the 24th Regiment to have their men report at once at "Camp Barnes" and mustered into service.
Captains Ingersoll's & Vinton's companies went into camp at the Fair Grounds Wednesday the 30th. Both of these companies are very nearly full, and recruits wishing to join them should apply at once.
A MONSTER WAR MEETING to assist the volunteer movement will be held at Wayne this evening at 7 o'clock, when a good time may be expected, and speeches will be made by Colonel Morrow, Major Flanigan, Gov. Bachus, D. E. Harbaugh, E. N. Wilcox, C.I. Walker, Sylvester Larned, William Gray, and Thomas McEntee.
August 1, 1862
A number of men (probably 200) from Captains Ingersoll's Cullen's, Vinton's, an Ownen's companies are now in camp at Camp Barnes.
The bounty fund for the 24th now totals $3,757
The Union Demonstration at Wayne yesterday was of the most spirited and enthusiastic character. Colonel Morrow, D. E. Harbaugh, Rev. Mr. Hickey and Rev. Mr. Kellogg, preachers in the Methodist Church, and Major Flanigan, made patriotic and stirring addresses. The enthusiasm of the people was strong, and several persons at once signed the muster roll of the 24th Regiment.
A large number of ladies were present and manifested their approbation by smiles an tears. The people of Wayne will not soon forget the Union meeting of July 31st.
The Buckminster Guard is filling up very rapidly, and a portion of the men will be mustered in today (Friday). Those desiring to join this company should enlist at once. (Note: the Buckminster Guard became Company A of the 24th Michigan, being recruited by Captain Edwin Wight, and named for his father Buckminster Wight).
August 2, 1862
Recruiting for this regiment goes on spiritedly, especially in the country, and our citizens who have made up their minds to serve in this favorite corps, had better hurry up their cakes before the ranks are entirely filled. The regiment is now quartered at "Camp Barnes", and the drilling of the several companies has just commenced. Colonel Morrow and Major Flanigan were on the ground this morning, having just returned from a tour through the county of Wayne. They give the most flattering accounts of their reception in the country. A noble and patriotic spirit shows itself everywhere among our farmers. In Wayne alone thirty-seven men came forward and joined the regiment.
151 men have been examined by Dr. Lauderdale and found fit for service.
Recruits are coming in fast, and it is expected that about 200 more will be mustered in on Monday. We understand that the Colonel and Major are to attend war meetings in the country this evening.
August 6, 1862
Plymouth is wide awake. At the War Meeting on Tuesday 49 were enlisted and $3,000 was subscribed on the spot as bounties. Hurrah for Plymouth. It is loyal.
Death of John S. Rider and Wm. Williams, &c. &c.
Special Corr. Of the Advertiser and Tribune.
Gettysburg July 20, 1863
We are still in Gettysburg. The wounded, both Union an Confederates, are being removed from the various hospitals, in town and in the field, to other points as fast as they are able to be transported by railroad. Every train out bears with it a load of wounded, and the result is that the number is smaller than when I wrote you last. A general field hospital, near town, is being established, which, when supplied with bedsteads , will be quite comfortable, and on some accounts more desirable than many which are in comparatively close rooms.
Our brave ‘boys’ are generally doing well, and are being well cared for by surgeons and nurses – but notwithstanding every care and treatment there are many dying from their wounds and others will soon follow their comrades to that country where the sounds and horrors are unknown.
William Williams and John L. Rider of co. B, 24th Michigan died to-day. Alfred Ryder of the 1st Michigan Calvary will probably not survive the night. His father is with him. He has given to his country two noble sons, Alfred and John E the latter a member of the 24th, fell on the 1st of July. Mr. Ryder will soon return home with a sad heart, but he as well as the family will not mourn as those without hope.
Never in my life did I ever behold a more cheerful class of men than are our wounded soldiers, who are lying n the various hospitals, God bless them.
I learn to-day that our brigade is en route for the heights of Fredericksburg I will not vouch for the truth of the rumor. We hear also that our own brave Col. is at home for a short time with his friends. We hope it is true for he must need rest, and is entitled to a holiday. A braver Col. than ours, is not to be found in the army of the Potomac. When our color bearer A.G. Peck fell mortally wounded, Col. M seized the "old flag" and bore it aloft amid a perfect shower of leaden ball, as twenty three bullet holes will testify. To do justice to the bravery of the officers and men of the 24th Michigan would require a wiser head and readier pen than mine. They have written their own record. Lieut.-Col. Flanigan is still at Mr. Harper’s with his esteemed lady, and is improving fast. For the first time, to-day, he accomplished the feat of locomotion on three legs.
Capt. Rexford and lady are still at Mr. Willis; the Capt. expects to escort his good wife to Detroit. Capt. Hoyt, of Co. C. is also at home.
The "Express Office" hospital which is under the charge of Drs. Beech and Collar, has to-day been furnished with bedsteads. It makes a my heart glad to see those two faithful Surgeons, go from place to place, looking after and caring for our men. None labor harder or more constantly, none are more deserving, and their reward is the universal love and gratitude of all who have received their services.
Among some of our soldiers, a comrade has virtually sacrificed nothing unless he shall have lost a limb. A broken thigh bone – or shin bone, or a "crack on the cocoanut" as they term it. – does not fully establish their reputation.
We do not anticipate remaining here much longer, but shall join the regiment, or what remains of it, soon. Before closing this, let me say to our friends – write to the wounded soldiers, and write often. As soon as you learn hi s whereabouts. Let father, mother, sisters and brothers write a word of cheer; it will do him good. Let friends and acquaintances write; it will cheer him, and serve the double purpose of strengthening him bodily, as well as to pass the weary hours on his cot more pleasantly.
We hope that our next will be from the regiment. Until then adieu.
William C. Way, Chaplain
July 30, 1863
From Gettysburg
Letter from Chaplain Way Deaths of Members of the 24th – Condition of our wounded – Secesh Sympathies – Whereabouts of the 1st Army Corps &c.
Gettysburg July 23, 1863
Correspondence of the Advertiser and Tribune:
John McNish of company F., 24th Michigan died this afternoon and will have a Christian burial to-morrow morning at 9 o’clock. Chas Ruff Co. D, died yesterday and was buried by his parents, both of whom were here, in the cemetery at this place. Yesterday, I buried Mr. Alfred Ryder of the 1st Michigan Cavalry, and the body of his brother John E. Ryder who fell July 1st, having been removed from the field, and both rest together in the burying yard of the German Reformed Church. All our wounded who were at the Seminary hospital have been removed to Baltimore and other places. Of those who remain, there are but one or two cases of that are not doing finely, and even the worst cases are favorable.
9 ½ o’clock P.M.
I have just returned to my boarding place after holding service in the hospital, and have left the boys comfortable, with the prospect of a good night’s sleep.
The wounded are being sent off as fast as they become able to travel, and soon all of those who are not able to be moved far will be carried to the general hospital that is being established here. Long trains of ambulances are to be seen every day, moving towards the depot, filled with rebels, who, as a general thing, look somewhat dejected – even those who are not seriously wounded. A number of Rebel surgeons, chaplains and nurses are to be seen on the streets, and the impudence of some of them would shame Satan himself. They seem to think, or act so at least, as though our people, and our surgeons , were highly honored so they have the opportunity of caring for them or their wounded.
I have conversed with some of them and have listened to the conversation of many more, and many of them are still confident of Vicksburg and Port Hudson. For a long time they would not credit our reports, and one Chaplain said that he had five hundred in "Gold" that he would give to any one who would give him reliable information that Vicksburg had surrendered, asserting that it was improbable, &c.
It is notorious that this (Adams) county gives from four to five hundred Copperhead majority and we find a "right smart" sprinkling of them in Gettysburg. They are to be seen in the Confederate hospitals distributing the their delicacies, while they pass by a Union soldier with a sneer of contempt. Such people ought to be sent where they belong. All of their sympathies are with rebellion, and hence they ought not be allowed in Union lines.
We have no knowledge of the regiment as to where it is, but the report is that the 1st Corps was on its way to Fredericksburg to take possession of the works, fortifications, and strongholds of the city. Another report has them at White Oak Church, near our last camp ground. We hope to join the regiment as soon as duty is done here. Every train of cars brings in a load of passengers who come to hunt up the remains of some fallen loved one. In many instances they have to return to their homes with sad hearts having been unable to find the body or get any trace of its resting place. God pity them and bless them.
Lieut. Col. Flanigan and Capt. Rexford are improving rapidly, and we hope will soon be with friends at home.
Copies of these articles are located in the collection of the U.S. Army Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Used with the permission of USAMHI.
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