DUTY / VALOR ESPRIT DE CORPS EVENTUAL BROTHERHOOD

THE BLUE and GRAY CUP

The Civil War and Hockey SPONSORED BY: THE MICHIGAN COMMANDERY OF THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE LOYAL LEGION OF THE UNITED STATES

At the mention of the words “Civil War” and “hockey” in the same sentence, a puzzled look appears on peoples face as they attempt to imagine how there could be a connection. In July of 2012, Mr. Phil Sweeney, head coach of the Davenport University hockey team of Grand Rapids, Michigan, contacted me to ask that very question - was there a way to share the history of the Civil War on an ice rink versus a classroom. Phil’s question was whether the subject of the Civil War could be combined with an annual three game hockey series between the Panthers of Davenport University and the Flames of Liberty University from Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty head coach Mr. Kirk Handy had expressed genuine interest as well. I too had that puzzled look on my face but then started thinking about Michigan and Virginia...North and South...Blue and Gray...fields of valor and a sporting event...victors and the defeated...esprit de corps and team-

CONTACT: BRUCE B. BUTGEREIT 1691 SUMMERFIELD STREET SE GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49508 616-827-3369 CIVIL-WAR@ COMCAST.NET

work...brotherhood and sportsmanship. Seeing the opportunity the historical past provided, my immediate concern was how to be respectful of the fact that in the Civil War, young men fought and died and, while intense and spirited, a hockey game is just that, a hockey game.

1861-1865 and could apply today to these young hockey players as well. We just needed to find the historical bridge from the past to the present With the knowledge that the Third Michigan Infantry Regiment and the Sixth and Seventh Michigan Cavalry Regiments had formed in Grand Rapids, I conducted some research for units from Lynchburg and learned of the Eleventh Virginia Infantry and the Second Virginia Cavalry Regiments. (More information about those units is provided later in this document.) My name is Bruce B. Butgereit and I serve as the Commander of the Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS).

I then determined that many historical moments provide examples which can use to effect change or to build upon. The words of DUTY, VALOR, ESPRIT de CORPS, and EVENTUAL BROTHERHOOD had applied to those boys of Blue & Gray

The Commandery proudly announces the creation of the -

BLUE & GRAY CUP - to be awarded annually to the school which is the victor in two of the three games played between Davenport and Liberty Universities.

The Civil War Sesquicentennial Both Michigan and Virginia are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War from 2011-2015.

er to promote events, facilitate communication, and to ensure that “Michigan Remembers the Civil War.”

In Michigan, there is a partnership between the Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial History Partners and the Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee of the Michigan Historical Commission. This alliance works togeth-

The Partners include: the Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States; the Department of Michigan, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; iMichigan Productions; Historic

Fort Wayne, and History Remembered, Inc. History Partners Website www.micw150.us/ Seeking Michigan Website seekingmichigan.org/civil-war Virginia Sesquicentennial Website http://www.virginiacivilwar.org/

MILITARY

NEWSLETTER

DATE

Civil War Basics The idea that a nation could exist without a ruling king or dictator had never been tested before America claimed her freedom in 1776.

soldiers from North and South returned home, and became the leaders of the industrial revolution and were active in their communities. They formed veterans groups to maintain the camaraderie they had established in the War. They would also shake hands in an effort to bring unity back to the nation. The Spanish-American War would also serve to reunite these formers foes and serve to restore a truly united America.

The Civil War was the first test of that new government. Fought for many issues that are still important in our lives today civil rights, states rights, individual freedoms, taxation, tariffs, and more - the Civil War was necessary to not only bring about the end of slavery but to effect change in so many other areas. Following the Civil War, the

The Blue & Gray Cup The soldiers from Grand Rapids, Michigan and Lynchburg, Virginia met on the field of battle numerous times throughout the Civil War. Although far removed from the service and sacrifice made by the soldiers of

the Civil War, the rivalry between the Davenport and Liberty Universities is often intense and spirited too. The tradition of opponents shaking hands after a hard-fought hockey game is similar to the handshakes that were eventually shared

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST FROM CIVIL WAR TRUST: How many soldiers fought Blue 2,128,948 Gray 1,082,119 How many soldiers died* Blue 360,222 Gray 260,000 *Recent research into medical and pension records indicate this number may be low. What caused the Civil War? While many still debate the ultimate causes of the Civil War, Pulitzer Prize -winning author James McPherson writes that, "The Civil War started because of uncompromising differences between the free and slave states over the power of the national government to prohibit slavery in the territories that had not yet become states. When Abraham Lincoln won election in 1860 as the first Republican president on a platform pledging to keep slavery out of the territories, seven slave states in the deep South seceded and formed a new nation, the Confederate States of America. The incoming Lincoln administration and most of the Northern people refused to recognize the legitimacy of secession. They feared that it would discredit democracy and create a fatal precedent that would eventually fragment the no-longer United States into several small, squabbling countries."

by soldiers both Blue and Gray. This trophy is meant to symbolize that in victory or defeat, we can demonstrate proper character through respect and understanding

FRONT

Text on Trophy Base Each year, the victorious team will tie a ribbon to one of the handles of the trophy - BLUE for Davenport University and GRAY for Liberty University. In the future, a count of the number of ribbons attached will help identify which team was victorious most often.

The Blue & Gray Cup

Awarded annually to the victor of the Davenport University & Liberty University Hockey Series

LEFT

RIGHT

Third Michigan Infantry Regiment

Eleventh Virginia Infantry Regiment

June 10, 1861 - June 20, 1864 Grand Rapids, Michigan

May 15, 1861 - April 9, 1865 Lynchburg, Virginia

Blackburn’s Ford / First Bull Run Peninsula Campaign / Second Bull Run Chancellorsville / Gettysburg Wilderness / Spotsylvania / Cold Harbor

Blackburn’s Ford / First Manassas Seven Days Battles / Second Manassas South Mountain / Sharpsburg Fredericksburg / Gettysburg / Cold Harbor Petersburg / Appomattox

Sixth Michigan Cavalry Regiment October 10, 1862 - November 24, 1865

Seventh Michigan Cavalry Regiment January 16, 1863 - December 15, 1865 Grand Rapids, Michigan

Brandy Station / Gettysburg / Cold Harbor Winchester / Cedar Creek Five Forks / Appomattox

BACK

Established in 2012 By: Michigan Commandery Of The Military Order Of The Loyal Legion of the United States During the Sesquicentennial OF 1861-1865 The Civil War 2011-2015 To Commemorate The Soldiers Both North and South DUTY / VALOR ESPRIT de CORPS AND EVENTUAL BROTHERHOOD

Second Virginia Cavalry Regiment May 11, 1861 - April 10, 1865 Lynchburg, Virginia

First Manassas / Jackson’s Valley Campaign Seven Days Battles / Second Manassas Sharpsburg / Chancellorsville / Brandy Sta. Gettysburg / Petersburg / Appomattox

Images of the Third Michigan courtesy of Steve Soper: http://thirdmichigan.blogspot.com/

Third Michigan Infantry

Some of the men who served in this regiment:

Color Sgt. Daniel Crotty

Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America

Unknown group of Sergeants Pvt. John Strong

“...Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or

1st Lt. Ernst Synold

Pvt. George Wiselogel

1st Lt. Fred Stow

Pvt. Andrew Webster

Sgt. Martin Taylor

Pvt. Isaac Waite

any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure…”

Byron R. Pierce, Third Michigan, Brevet Major General U.S. Volunteers

Gettysburg, July 2nd 1863: This regiment, deployed as skirmishers, held the line extending from the Peach Orchard east to the woods, was the right of de Trobriand's Brigade, and connected with the left of Graham's. Went into action with 19 officers, 267 men. - Total 286 Casualties - 7 men killed, 3 officers and 28 men wounded, 7 men missing - Total 45. Photo courtesy of: http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/MI/3MI.php

Images of the Eleventh Virginia courtesy of Library of Congress

Eleventh Virginia Infantry Some of the men who served in this regiment:

Pvt. Peter Arthur

Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America

William Henry Taylor and Stephen Stewart Pvt. John Anthony

“I worked night and day for twelve years to prevent the war,

Pvt. J. Ray

Unknown

Unknown

Gettysburg: Longstreet's Corps Pickett's Division Kemper's Brigade 1st, 3rd, 7th, 11th, & 24th Virginia Inf. July 2. Arrived about sunset and bivouacked on the western border of Spangler's Woods. July 3. In the forenoon formed line in the field east of the woods with right flank near Spangler's Barn. At the close of the cannonade advanced and took part in Longstreet's assault upon the Union position in the vicinity of the Angle. Exposed to a severe fire of artillery and vigorously assailed beyond the Emmitsburg Road by infantry on the right flank with ranks thinned and much disorganized by its losses especially of officers it pressed on against the Union line at the stone wall where after a fierce encounter the struggle ended. Gen. J. L. Kemper fell wounded in front of the stone wall. July 4. Spent the day in reorganization and during the night began the march to Hagerstown. Present 1575. Killed 56, Wounded 356, Missing 317 - Total 731 Photo courtesy of: http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/HQ-CSA/ANV-1-Pickett-Kemper.php

Unknown

but I could not. The North was mad and blind, would not let us govern ourselves, and so the war came.”

Samuel Garland, Jr., Eleventh Virginia, Brig. General Killed at the Battle of South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862

Images of the Sixth & Seventh Cavalry courtesy of the Library of Congress and public domain

Sixth & Seventh Michigan Cavalry Some of the men who served in this regiment:

Capt. James Kidd

George A. Custer, Brevet Major General of U.S. Volunteers

Unknown group Pvt. Orrin Arnold

“I would be willing, yes glad, to see a battle every day during my life.” Lt. Edwin Havens

Thomas Custer, (brother to George) Sixth Michigan, Lt. Colonel, Two-time recipient of the Medal of Honor

Pvt. Jacob Sciler

Maj. C.W. Deane

Gettysburg: At the same time as Pickett's Charge, Brig. Gen. George A. Custer's Michigan Cavalry Brigade helped turn back an attempt by Confederate Cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart to outflank the Union Army on what is now the East Cavalry Battlefield. The Wolverine Brigade - the 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th Michigan Cavalry Regiments - would go on under the Boy General to become one of the hardest-hitting, elite units of the Union Army - and to have the highest casualty rates of any Union cavalry in the war. Photos courtesy of: http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/MI/Wolverine.php

Images of the Second Cavalry courtesy of the Library of Congress and public domain

Second Virginia Cavalry Some of the men who served in this regiment:

Pvt. George Gilmer

Pvt. James Woodson

James Ewell Brown “Jeb” Stuart, Maj. General, C.S.A Cavalry

Maj. General Fitzhugh Lee

General Stuart, speaking of Fitzhugh Lee after the Battle of

Pvt. James Watts

Pvt. Jesse Rusher

Pvt. John Cundiff

Pvt. Thomas Robertson

Gettysburg was quoted as saying, “one of the finest cavalry leaders on the continent, and

Gettysburg: Army of Northern Virginia Stuart's Cavalry Division FItzhugh Lee's Brigade 1st Maryland Battalion and 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Virginia Cavalry July 3. The Battalion being on duty with Ewell's Corps the Brigade brought only five regiments to this field where it arrived soon after midday and took position on the left of Hampton's Brigade on the edge of the neighboring woods. It participated actively in the conflict which ensued. Losses: Killed 5, Wounded 16, Missing 29 Total 50 Photo courtesy of: http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/HQ-CSA/ANV-Cav-FitzLee.php

richly [entitled] to promotion.”

Thomas Munford, Colonel, Second Virginia Cavalry, Brig. General, C.S.A. Cavalry

MEN OF CHARACTER - THE PRICE PAID When the Third Michigan Infantry left Grand Rapids June 13, 1861, they numbered 1,042 strong. Their first engagement was Blackburn’s Ford, Virginia on July 12, 1861, followed three days later at First Bull Run where they covered the Union retreat to Washington, D.C. At Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, they went into action with only 286 men they would lose 45 in killed, wounded and missing. The regiment suffered terrible losses in its last six weeks of existence (1864). On July 20, 1864, Major Daniel Root of the (consolidated) Fifth Michigan, writing from a camp near Petersburg, informed Michigan Adjutant General John Robertson, that the Third Michigan “accompanied the army in all its marches and was on duty up to the last of its term of service. Not a man flinched from his duty though several were killed but a

The Eleventh Virginia Infantry would have 1,544 men serve in its ranks during the war. Their first engagement would also be at Blackburn’s Ford in July of 1861. On July 3rd, the regiment would be decimated during the assault that became known as Pickett's Charge. Forming up in the late morning, the regiment stepped off in the middle of the afternoon and within the hour, its men soaked the lush fields with their precious blood. The unit participated in the Battle of Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg. When the regiment surrendered at Appomattox on April 9, 1865; there was only 1 officer and 28 men left.

few days before their term expired. The regiment has been engaged in twelve different actions, since the commencement of the present campaign, and was under fire constantly for sixty (60) days. The endurance of the officers and men was severely tried by the incessant night marches and digging in the trenches and the excitement of being constantly under fire. In the first engagement May 6th it numbered two hundred and ninety (290) [and] of this number two hundred and twenty (220) have been killed, wounded and taken, not over twenty are missing. The Third effectively mustered out with only several hundred men fit for duty and those men had been transferred to the Fifth Michigan Infantry Regiment..

Some Numbers Of the leading 48 battles studied, it was concluded that out of every 1,000 Federals in battle, 112 were wounded. Of every 1,000 Confederates, 150 were hit. Mortality was greater among Confederate wounded because of inferior medical service and lack of supplies. Gettysburg Union Confederate 3,155 dead 3,903 14,529 wounded 18,735 5,365 missing 5,425 23,049 total 28,063 Total: 51,112 for three days

2,108 9,549 753 12,410

Antietam dead 2,700 wounded 9,024 missing 2,000 total 13,724

The Wilderness, May 5-7: 17,666 Spotsylvania, May 10 and 12: 10,920 Cold Harbor, June 1-3: 12,000 Petersburg, June 15-30: 16,569

Total: 26,134 for one day Some of the bloodiest battles of the War came as Grant drove on Richmond in the spring of 1864. Confederate casualties are missing for this campaign, but were enormous. The Federal toll:

Horses were not immune from the slaughter of battle either, with over 5,000 horses killed at Gettysburg. One artillery battalion, the 9th Massachusetts, lost 80 of its 88 animals on the Trostle Farm.

Images courtesy of the Library of Congress and public domain

MEN OF CHARACTER - THE PRICE PAID The Third Michigan at Fair Oaks and Groveton As students of Civil War history, we can only read the stories or letters that describe daily life and battles. For those of us who have never served or faced possible death on a battlefield, we will never know the feelings of apprehension, fear, or courage that drove these men, just ordinary men, to charge into the jaws of death. Wallace W. Dickinson, Co. K, Third Michigan wrote to the Mecosta County Pioneer, June 9, 1862 describing the battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia: “…The “Gallant Third,” which had for many months been anxious to meet the enemies of their country, led the advance; and having reached the wood in which lay concealed their mortal foes, they sent up a shout that announced to the enemy that they were again face-toface with “the brigade of sharp-shooters” that drove them from the woods and slashings at Williamsburgh (sic). The Third found themselves opposed by four regiments, but by a well-directed fire, and several splendid bayonet charges, scattered them like sheep. The Michigan 2nd, 5th, and New York 37th fought with their usual coolness and bravery. Our loss is 30 killed, 124 wounded and 15 missing…Colonel Champlin was wounded in the hip during the early part of the engagement…Our Colors were brought down four times. The Color Sergeant and one of the guard was killed, and three of the guard was wounded…” Colonel Champlin was not yet fully recovered from the hip wound he had received just three months before when he was again back with the regiment. George French, Co. K, Third Michigan wrote to his brother describing the events surrounding the Seven Days Campaign of 1862, the battle of Groveton, Virginia: “The Third went into the fight with 283 men, and out of that number there was 139 men killed and badly wounded…We were all in the fight and what saved any of us God only knows, for it was a horrid place. There was rebels on the left and front of us, and on our right was a battery throwing an enfilading fire of grape, canister and shell, while a fancy Pennsylvania regiment was firing on us from behind. Poor old Third! She caught —then. Our United States flag was shot to bits until there was not a piece as big as your hand left; and finally the standard was shattered and left on the field covered with the blood of the men who had so proudly borne it through all the battles of the Peninsula. Our State colors fared but little better, but we brought it back with us.” W.W. Dickinson also described the battle of Groveton in another letter dated September 26, 1862 (the numbers reported in battle and killed, wounded or missing often varied from soldier to soldier): “…The bravery of the “Gallant Third,” that has been tested at the battles of Fair Oaks and Malvern Hill, was to be tried again, if possible, by a more terrible ordeal. That your readers may form some idea of the murderous fire from which it was received, I have only to state that out of 260 men that went into the fight, only 120 came off the field unharmed! Within the space of fifteen minutes 140 of our number was either killed or wounded!…Col. Champlin, not yet recovered from wounds received at Fair Oaks, was at the head of his regiment and led them into the fight. But in the early part of the engagement his partly healed wounds received fresh injury and he left the field, leaving the command to our gallant Major Byron R. Pierce…”

Currier and Ives and Kurz and Allison were two companies that created very colorful lithographic prints of battle scenes that were nothing like the actual action on the field. The above Currier and Ives image of the Battle of Fair Oaks includes Professor Thaddeus Lowe’s balloon the “Intrepid,” the first aerial reconnaissance of a battle in history.

Image courtesy of the Library of Congress

Defending the Flag Most regiments had a stand of colors - usually a national flag, U.S. or C.S.A. and a regimental state flag, often sewn by the women of the community from which the regiment mustered into the service. Presentation ceremonies included exhortations to never lower the flag in defeat and never let it be disgraced or captured by the enemy. The flag was “guarded” by a unit called the Color Guard which consisted of Sergeants that carried the flag(s) and corporals who were ready at anytime to defend the flag against capture or to carry the flag if a color bearer was killed or wounded. The flags also served to guide a regiment under fire on a battlefield thence the term, “Rally around the flag boys.” The flags, on a nearly tenfoot pole and six feet six inches on the fly and six feet on the pike could be seen above the smoke on the battlefield. Both Blue and Gray recognized the importance of these flags and members of the Color Guard were some of the first targets in a battle - whether from an effort to capture the flag or to kill the Color Guard - in an effort to create confusion on the field. At Gettysburg, the TwentyFourth Michigan Regiment lost eleven men who carried their flags - eight were killed and three wounded - in about an hours time. The Color Sergeant of the

Third Michigan was Daniel Crotty. In his book, “Four Years Campaigning in the Army of the Potomac” he describes a scene involving his flag at the Battle of the Wilderness: “An incident happened during this days' fight that I never shall forget. As we are going forward on the charge, a wounded soldier, as he is borne to the rear on a stretcher, caught sight of my tattered banner, and begun the song, "Rally Round the Flag, Boys." Every man took up the words and went in with renewed vigor, driving the rebel lines inside their works. They reform and drive us back...Some of our lines commence to fall back, and a huge rebel asks me to surrender my colors, but those I never intend to let go out of my hands till I have no life in me to carry them.” The Eleventh Virginia Infantry has a different story to tell regarding their flag as researched by Mr. Kevin Shroyer of the Eleventh Virginia Infantry reenactors. The following is a summary of the events surrounding the capture of the Eleventh Virginia Infantry’s battle flag at the Battle of Five Forks, Virginia on April 1, 1865. The battle flag was captured by 1st Lieutenant William Wirt Winegar, 19th New York Cavalry (1st New York Dragoons). The 11th Virginia officer in charge of the color guard at the

Battle of Five Forks, Virginia was 1st Lieutenant Martin Van Buren Hickok of Company D “Fincastle Rifles”. Winegar was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions that day. Winegar’s Medal of Honor citation reads, “The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) William Wirt Winegar, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 1 April 1865, while serving with Company B, 19th New York Cavalry (1st New York Dragoons), in action at Five Forks, Virginia. While advancing in front of his company and alone, First Lieutenant Winegar found himself surrounded by the enemy. He accosted a nearby enemy flag-bearer demanding surrender of the group. His effective firing of one shot so demoralized the unit that it surrendered with flag.” As a result of his actions at Five Forks, Virginia, Winegar was brevetted to the rank of Captain.

in both legs in the knee area, and was struck in the side by a piece of shell as he planted the 11th Virginia colors on the stone wall on Cemetery Ridge during Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863. Note: At the time of this publication, there is an effort underway in Lynchburg to raise funds for the preservation of the Eleventh Virginia Infantry flag.

The 11th Virginia Infantry Flag

As for Hickok, like Winegar’s Medal of Honor citation notes, he is believed to have been captured along with the other members of the 11th Virginia colorguard, although no confirmation of this has been found. Hickok reportedly was wounded five times during the war. Allegedly, at Gettysburg, Hickok was shot

Images courtesy of Kevin Shroyer, Asst. Adjutant, 11th Virginia Infantry Re-enactors

Second, Third and Fifth Michigan Infantry Regiments

Annie Etheridge - Daughter of the Regiment “The world never produced but very few such women, for she is along with us through storm and sunshine, in the heat of the battle caring for the wounded, and in the camp looking after the poor sick soldier, and to have a smile and a cheering word for every one who comes in her way. Every soldier is alike to her. She is with us to administer to all our little wants, which are not few. To praise her would not be enough, but suffice to say, that as long as one of the old Third shall live, she will always be held in the greatest esteem, and remembered with kindly feelings for her goodness and virtues.” These words were written by Color Sergeant Daniel Crotty, of the Third Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in his book ‘Four Years Campaigning in the Army of the Potomac. “ They describe his respect and appreciation for Civil War nurse Annie Etheridge of Michigan who performed extraordinary deeds on the frontlines of battle amidst all the same dangers and peril the soldiers themselves faced. Early Years Annie Etheridge started in this life as Lorinda Anna Blair, born May 3, 1839, in Michigan. In 1863, an article in the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune describes her “of Dutch descent, about five feet three inches tall, with a fair complexion, brown hair and a vigorous constitution, and decidedly good looking. Annie was in Detroit with her second husband, James Etheridge, when Abraham Lin-

coln called for troops in 1861. He joined the Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, which was forming under Colonel Israel B. Richardson in that city. Annie, accompanied the regiment to Washington on June 5, 1861 as a volunteer nurse. Her duties also included cooking and laundering. Annie served for the entire four years as a volunteer nurse playing a vital role in the histories of the Second, Third and Fifth Michigan Infantry Regiments. A week later, the Third Michigan Infantry left Grand Rapids on June 13, 1861, and joined the Second Michigan in Washington. Both regiments were placed in the Army of the Potomac so they often fought side by side. On July 18, Annie and the Michigan troops saw their first action at Blackburn’s Ford, Virginia, followed by the first major battle of the war at Bull Run on the 21st. The brave men of the Second and Third Michigan covered the Union retreat while Annie worked tirelessly to help the wounded. In August, 1862, Annie was at the Second Battle of Bull Run, on August 29. While she was administering aid to a wounded soldier from the Seventh New York Infantry, an artillery shell burst and “tore the soldier to pieces.” Later that day, General Philip Kearny saw her binding up wounds of a soldier while under fire. “That is right”; he said. “I am glad to see you here helping these poor fellows, and when this is over, I will have you made a regimental sergeant.” Although given the Sergeant

chevrons, Annie never received that appointment because General Kearny was killed two days later at Chantilly. And in spite of the fact that she was given neither official rank nor pay; the men still called her their little Sergeant in Petticoats. Despite social disapproval of a woman serving in such a position, Annie’s character and virtue were above reproach. A February 16, 1863 article in the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune states “Her demeanor is perfectly modest, quiet and retiring, and her habits and conduct are correct and exemplary; yet on the battlefield she seems to be alone possessed and animated with the desire to be effective in saving the lives of wounded soldiers. No vulgar word was ever known to be uttered by her, and she is held in the highest veneration and esteem by the soldiers as an angel of mercy. She is indeed the idol of the brigade, every man of which would submit to almost any sacrifice in her behalf. She takes the deepest interest in the result of this contest, eagerly reading all the papers to which she can obtain access, and keeping thoroughly posted as to the progress of the war. She says she feels as if she stood alone in the world, as it were, and desires to do good. She knows that she is the instrument of saving many lives and alleviating much suffering in her present position, and feels it her duty to continue in so doing.” The article continued, “These facts can be substantiated by testimony of the highest charac-

ter, and they deserve to go forth to the world to show that if England can boast of the achievements of a Florence Nightingale, we of America can present a still higher example of female heroism and exalted acts of humanity in the person of Anna Etheridge.” Annie was brave and dedicated in her work. The Detroit Advertiser and Tribune also reported that “At the commencement of a battle, she fills her saddle bags with lint and bandages, mounts her horse, and gallops to the front, passes under fire, and, regardless of shot and shell, engages in the work of stanching and binding up the wounds of our soldiers…on many occasions her dress has been pierced by bullets and fragments of shell, yet she has never flinched and never been wounded.” “No history on the war would be complete that did not contain some mention of the noble services performed by Mrs. Anna Etheridge of Detroit… “ (Detroit Free Press, 1881) Annie would serve for four years in a role that we would call a combat medic. She served in nearly every battle of the Army of the Potomac including Fair Oaks, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and others. After the war, Annie lived in Washington, DC where she died in 1913 and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

Images courtesy of U.S. Army Heritage Center and State of Michigan Historical Archives

MILITARY ORDER OF THE LOYAL LEGION OF THE UNITED STATES

Early History On April 15, 1865, as word of President Abraham Lincoln’s death spread throughout the country, three Union Army officer friends met in Philadelphia to discuss the tragic news. Rumors from Washington of a conspiracy to destroy the Federal government by assassination of its leaders prompted the three officers to call other officers and ex-officers together to form an organization that could help thwart future threats to the national government. A mass meeting of Philadelphia veterans was held on April 20, 1865 to pledge renewed allegiance to the Union and to plan for participation in the funeral arrangements for the President. The Philadelphia officers, who served as an honor guard for President Lincoln’s funeral cortege, met again after the funeral was over to establish a permanent organization of officers and ex-officers. The name they chose, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, first appeared in a notice calling for a meeting on May 31, 1865 at Independence Hall. By 1899, the MOLLUS had more than 8,000 Civil War officer members on its rosters and was sometimes referred to simply as the Loyal Legion. At its zenith, practically every prominent officer could be counted among the ranks of the MOLLUS. In addition to Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes, Original Companions Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley served as President of the United States.

Objects and Activities Although originally organized to promote fraternal ties between Companions, advance the interests of veterans, provide relief to widows and children of deceased comrades, and promote allegiance to the United States government, the focus of the MOLLUS today also includes perpetuating the memory of those who fought to preserve the unity of the Republic and honoring the memory of wartime President, Abraham Lincoln and promoting his ideals. We do this by sponsoring and participating in ceremonies honoring President Lincoln and memorializing events of the Civil War and the men and women who were active in them; by furthering the study of military and naval science with ROTC awards; by promoting research and writing about Lincoln and Civil War subjects through the presentation of literary awards; by erecting, restoring, and maintaining plaques and monuments commemorating events and personalities of the Civil War; by publishing a historical journal, The Loyal Legion Historical Journal; and by engaging in other patriotic and educational activities.

MICHIGAN COMMANDERY Established 4 February, 1885 in Detroit, Michigan. For many years, the Commandery met at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial (GAR Building). Original companions included: Bvt. Maj. General (U.S.V. ) Russell A. Alger; Bvt. Brig. General (U.S.V.) James H. Kidd; Bvt. Maj. General (U.S.V) Byron E. Pierce; 2nd Lt., 4th Mich. Cavalry James Vernor.

Enemy Combatants 1861-1865 Opponents 2012