Summary: Detroit, 428; Wayne County townships, 479; other counties, 120; unknown, 3. Total, 1030. RESIDENCES BY COMPANIES. STAFF Detroit 7, townships 3, other counties 1. Total II. A Detroit 58, Brownstown 6, other townships 12, Ash in Monroe County 11, other counties 14. Total 101. B-Detroit 60, Wyandotte 19, Trenton 13, townships 8, outside counties 4. Total 104. Total 100. C-Plymouth 69, Canton 7, Livonia 9, Nankin 6, Salem 8, Detroit 1. other towns 8, other counties 2. Total 102. E- Detroit 87, townships 13, other counties 5. Total 105. F-Detroit 41, Van Buren 10, Ecorse 7, other townships 23, Washtenaw County II, other counties 9. Total 101. G-Detroit 48, Sumpter 10, towns 8, Ash 15, other counties 4. Brownstown 8, Springwells 5, Huron 5, other Total 103. H-Detroit 53, Greenfield 5, Livonia 5, other towns 13, Clinton County 17, other counties 8. Total 101. I- Redford 51, Detroit 30, Nankin 7, other towns II, other counties 2. Total 101. K - Livonia 31, Brownstown 31, Detroit 15, Nankin 9, Huron 9, other towns 6. Total 101. MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES. The Twenty-fourth Michigan might have been called a regiment of relatives, as 135 of its members had brothers in it, the brothers being most frequently in the same companies. Company A had 20 brothers, C had 18, D had 20, F had 17, G had 14, H had 14 and K had 17, while numerous ones had brothers in other companies than their own. There were several cases of father and son, cousins, brothers-in-law, etc. Company H. had a father and two sons the Steele family. There were also several cases of three brothers of one family in its ranks. One boy was discharged by "habeas corpus" before the regiment left Detroit. Three men were not mustered, by some error. One man died and eleven deserted before the regiment left for the front. Company C was the youngest in average age and F the oldest. C also contained the greatest number (62) whose ages were between twenty and thirty years. It was the color company, one of its corporals, Abel G. Peck, being the first color-bearer. The first man to enlist in the regiment was Corporal George W. Chrouch of D, on July 19, 1862. He had already seen service in the First Michigan (3 mo.) Infantry, and was wounded at Bull Run. He was also the tallest enlisted man, measuring six feet three inches. John Renton of the same company was next in height, being one-half inch shorter. D also had forty-eight men between twenty and twenty-five years, the greatest number of like ages in any company. Company E had the greatest number (14) over forty years old. In average age G was next to the youngest company. It contained the youngest member of the regiment, Willie Young, barely thirteen years of age, who served as drummer through the war. The two youngest in the ranks who carried guns were Patrick Cleary and August Lahser of Company I. Company K had seventy-two farmers, the most of any; also the oldest man, James Nowlin, who was seventy years old. It also contained the greatest number of boys (46) who were twenty years old and under. Company C had the greatest number of American born (92), and Company E the greatest number (65) of foreign born. DEPARTURE FROM HOME. As the day of departure drew near, activity increased in camp. Happy he who obtained a furlough to visit home and friends once more. Familiar faces in suits of blue hastened about. Sad the hearths which soon will have vacant chairs. Up yonder shaded walk move two affianced hearts vowing eternal fidelity and devotion "till this cruel war is over." Blue forms bend over sleeping babes, whom the infant's eyes will never more behold. Mothers press sons to their hearts again and again, then go to their closets to pray. Fathers grasp tender hands they so often have led in younger days, try to talk in old familiar tones, and with a "God bless you," part with their sons forever! Friday, August 29, 1862, dates our departure for the front. Knapsacks are packed, ranks formed, and at 5 o'clock in the afternoon the regiment bade farewell to Camp Barns, and keeping step to the grand music of the Union, marched down Woodward avenue, thence up Jefferson avenue to greet General O. B. Wilcox, just returned from Southern captivity, thence to the Michigan Central wharf. From many hamlets in and out of the city had come relatives and friends to bid a last adieu. But few families there were in city or county that had not some friend or near acquaintance in this regiment, and its departure drew hard upon the hearts of the people. Thousands and thousands crowded the sidewalks and streets. Other thousands viewed from the housetops, balconies and windows. Continuous waves of flags and handkerchiefs, and cheer after cheer saluted the ranks throughout their march. Roman emperor never had a prouder greeting than the men who, with flying colors, this day marched along "The beautiful streets of the beautiful town That sits by the inland seas." Thousands of anxious souls strove to bid good-bye, "just once more," by embrace, word, or glance only, to departing friends. The lines of the "May Queen," bearing Companies A, B, C, D and E, and the "Cleveland," bearing Companies F, G, H, I and K, are cast away, and the boats slowly leave the wharf with their living freights of blue. Ten thousand final farewells pass between shore and steamers, amid cheers and wavings of handkerchiefs and hats. The immense throng continued to gaze upon the receding vessels till they are lost to view, and only would they leave the wharf when the boats could be seen no more. Sadness was upon pillows in many Wayne county homes that night. (From the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune.) They have gone, the pride and glory of our homes, the loved and true, They have left us, bearing with them hearts that never quail with fear; Oh! Defend them, God of battles, swiftly to the rescue come; OUR JOURNEY TO THE FRONT. * After a night of rough passage on Lake Erie, Cleveland was reached in the morning, and cars taken for Pittsburg, at which busy and smoky city we arrived before dark, after a pleasant journey through Ohio. Of our tarry here, the Pittsburg Gazette said: The Twenty-fourth Michigan arrived in this city Saturday evening, August 30. Its soldiers are of the very best class of men, stout, hearty, cheerful, intelligent and splendidly equipped. They were marched to the city hall, where a sumptuous repast awaited them, during which Colonel Morrow made a patriotic address, thanking the committee for their kindness, and assuring them that when this war is over and the Pennsylvania regiments passed through Detroit to take Canada, their kindness would be reciprocated. He read dispatches from the seat of war, and lusty cheers were given for Pittsburg and our cause, when the regiment marched to the Eastern train. Long will our tarry here be remembered. Nearly every man received a bouquet and a "good-bye, soldiers," from the Pittsburg girls, who seemed to fall in love with the regiment at first sight. Rings, ambrotypes, and handkerchiefs freely exchanged ownerships, and a portion of the regiment was in a fair way of being "captured," when a blast from the iron horse ended this coquetry of an hour, and our train was soon speeding for the Alleghanies and the lovely Juniata Valley. At 9 o'clock on Sunday morning, our train arrived at Harrisburg, and was switched off for Baltimore, where we arrived at noon. Marching to the Washington depot, five regiments were ahead of us awaiting transportation. After waiting around till 3 o'clock Monday *Written for the occasion by a lady of Redford. |