A super badge worn by a veteran of Company C, 49th Pennsylvania Infantry! The top of the badge is crossed muskets. There is a drop from the muskets. The drop is a "C". A shield is attached to the muskets by chains on either side of the musket hanger. On the shield is "49 PA". These are applied to the shield as can be seen by the back shot of the badge.
49th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment
The 49th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment lost 9 officers and 184 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 168 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War.
Recruited in the counties of Centre, Chester, Huntingdon, Miffin and Juniata and organized at Lewistown and Harrisburg under Colonel William Irwin, Lieutenant Colonel William Brisbane and Major Thomas Hulings
Lt. Colonel Brisbane resigned. Major Hulings was promoted to lieutenant colonel and Captain John Miles of Company C to major
October 29-November 19
Movement to Falmouth, Va.
December 12-15
Battle of Fredericksburg
1863
January 9
Consolidated to four companies under Lieutenant Colonel Hulings. Colonel Irwin, Major Miles and other unneeded officers were ordered on recruiting service.
Colonel Irwin returned to take command of the reinforced regiment.
April 27-May 6
Chancellorsville Campaign
April 29-May 2
Operations at Franklin’s Crossing
Two privates were killed, Captain William Freeburn was mortally wounded and Colonel Irwin and eight other men wounded during the river crossing in pontoon boats.
The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Hulings. It brought 318 men to the field in four companies (A-D), suffering no casualties.From the monument:
The regiment made a continuous march from Manchester Md. arriving on the field the afternoon of July 2. Occupied this position in reserve from the morning of the 3rd until the enemy’s assault in the afternoon when it moved to support centre thence to Round Top.
July 10-13
At and near Funkstown, Md.
July-October
Duty on line of the Rappahannock
October 9-22
Bristoe Campaign
October 24
Colonel Irwin resigns
November 7-8
Advance to line of the Rappahannock
November 7
Rappahannock Station
The regiment and its brigade carried enemy earthworks in a bayonet charge which captured 1600 prisoners, four guns and eight battle flags, while losing 3 men killed and Captain Hutchinson, Lieutenant Stuart and 25 other men wounded.
November 19
260 men reenlisted and were granted a 35 day furlough
November 26-December 2
Mine Run Campaign
Captain Quigly and 4 other men were wounded
December
Duty at Hazel River
1864
April 22
Lt. Colonel Hulings was promoted to colonel, Major Miles to lieutenant colonel, and Captain B.J. Hickman of Company B to major, effective to October 24
May 4-June 13
Rapidan Campaign
May 3
Germania Ford
The regiment lost 11 killed and Lieutenant Decatur Lytle and 22 other men wounded
In an unsuccessful assault, Colonel Hulings, Lt. Colonel Miles, Captain William Kephart, Lieutenants Lytle and Calvin De Witt and 61 enlisted men were killed, Captain Robert Barr mortally wounded, and Captain Stuart, Lieutenants Downing, Irvin, Russel, and Thompson, Adjutant Hilands and 195 enlisted men wounded. Major Hickman took over the regiment as senior surviving officer.
May 12
Assault on the Salient
Captains James Quigley and F. W. Wombacker and Lieutenant John Rogers were wounded. From May 4 – 14 the regiment lost 392 casualties, and at the end could muster only 130 men
Lieutenant Joseph Wallace and 10 enlisted men were killed and Captain John Thompson, Lieutenant Downing and 35 enlisted men wounded. A shell burst atop the regimental colors, destroying what little remained of it. Adjutant Hilands wrote, “As the line came on the plain, east of Winchester, we on the left had a full view of the whole field, and a magnificent sight it was. The enemy’s line was broken; his artillery, cavalry and infantry were in inextricable confusion, and having turned their backs were making fast time from the field, while off to the right was our own line, in perfect order, stretching away in the distance, steadily advancing in the bright sunlight, with colors, which looked more beautiful than ever, waving in triumph. It was worth three years’ hard service to be a participant in the battle of Winchester, under the command of Phil. Sheridan.”
September-Otcober
Guard duty at Winchester
October 26
A new state color is presented to the regiment to replace the one destroyed at Winchester
October 29
In the Shenandoah Valley
December 1
Ordered to Petersburg, Va. and returned to the Army of the Potomac
December 5
Into winter quarters at Fort Wadsworth, at the Weldon Railroad
1865
March 25
Advanced to relieve Fort Steadman, but was not needed
Lieuteant G. E. Hackenberg was killed, Lieutenant John Rogers mortally wounded and Captain Wombacker wounded.Detached to escort prisoners after the battle
A super badge worn by Union veterans at the 1888 General G.K. Warren monument dedication on Little Round Top! This incredible badge is very clean and beautiful. There is a bullion hanger. A biege/off white ribbon hangs from the hanger. Written on the badge is "DEDICATION Statue of Gen.G.K. Warren - Little Round Top, Gettysburg, Pa. - August 8, 1888. - 5th N.Y. Vol. Vet. Assn. - Duryee Zouaves". Also on the top of the badge is a photo of General Warren. A gold colored fringe is attached to the bottom of the badge.
Society of the Army & Navy of the Confederate States - Maryland Badge
Item #: 15702
Click image to enlarge
SOLD!!!
A very hard to find badge worn by veterans of the Confederate army and navy who lived in the state of Maryland after the war. The badge has a silver bar as the hanger. A ribbon is attached. The drop is a Confederate battle flag with a cross attached to the top of the drop. The drop has blue and red enamel on it. Written on the top of the cross is "A&NCS - MD" for the Army and Navy Confederate Society of Maryland. Written on the drop is "1861 - 1865".
A super ribbon worn by a veteran of the 4th Michigan Infantry at their 1890 reunion. At the top of the ribbon are mountains and trees with soldiers moving between the trees. Written in dark red ink is "June 20, '61 - Reunion Old 4th Michigan Infantry Volunteers - June 20, '90." The ribbon is approximately 7 1/4 inches long and 2 1/16 inches wide.
History of the 4th Michigan Infantry
Text by Jeremy Bevard
The 4th Michigan Infantry was mustered into service in Adrian Michigan on June 20th, 1861 with 1025 men including officers. It was then sent to the seat of war near Washington to join up with the Army of the Potomac. The men of the Fourth saw extensive action during the Peninsula campaign in 1862. The Regiment was present at the siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg and Newbridge. The men more than saw the elephant with fighting at Hanover Courthouse, Battle of New Bridge, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill and Malvern Hill. During this campaign the 4th Michigan suffered 263 casualties but the year was not over yet.
In the fall of 1862 the fourth was held in reserve during the battle of Antietam and was part of the 5th Corps that went in pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia. Here they fought at Shepardstown Ford crossing it several times. They were given orders to cross the river there and capture enemy artillery that was firing on the 5th Corps. As they ford the river rebel bullets zipped above their heads without finding their mark. Once across, the Fourth’s attack is successful in capturing four confederate artillery pieces and with driving the opposing infantry back. With darkness settling in they head back across the river. Early the next morning they are ordered to pick up any rebel stragglers and bring them back. The following morning the 118th Pennsylvania is ordered to cross right about the time the Confederates counter attack. The Pennsylvania boys take very heavy casualties before the survivors make it back across as the 4th Michigan is coming to the river to hold the pursuing enemy at the ford. The holding action is successful and brings an end to the pursuit of the Confederates after Antietam. But the year was not over and before it closed the 4th Michigan would once again see fighting at Fredericksburg and take another 14 casualties. This was a small price compared to the two-thirds of the Irish Brigade they watched fall who fought on their right.
The year 1863 started quiet for the 4th Michigan and is slow to start but in May they are involved in the fighting at Chancellorsville taking about 30 casualties. Not long after the 4th Michigan starts moving north with the rest of the Army toward their fate at Gettysburg. Colonel Jeffords, commanding the Regiment, said when his men stepped on the soil of Pennsylvania they gave a deafening Wolverine cheer. Their action at Gettysburg on July second would forever change the regiment. The 4th Michigan went into the Wheatfield at a time when the Union forces under Zook were overrun leaving the Fourth’s flank unprotected. The regiment became surrounded. In the retreat, Colonel Jeffords rallied the men to save their flag, which was being captured. As Jeffords attempted to reclaim the flag the enemy bayoneted him. The next day the colonel died of his wounds at the age of 26. He would be the only field officer bonneted on either side during the war. Sadly his efforts were not successful as the flag was lost in the close combat fighting that took place in the Wheatfield. However, the attack was able to slow the Confederate advance across the area. The 4th Michigan at Gettysburg suffered another terrible 165 men lost to wounds, missing and killed during this horrific three-day battle.
The rest of 1863 the men spent much time on picket duty and near the end of the year talk of whether to reenlist or not were buzzed through the Regiment. While these discussions were taking place the men left in late November for the Mine Run Campaign. The men were to attack Lee who was behind strong defenses. The men lay under arms, freezing, waiting for the order to go on what they all knew was a suicide attack. Thankfully the generals in charge realized what all the men in the ranks had already figured out and the attack was called off.
On December 6th, 1863 the 4th Michigan along with the rest of the 5th Corps, First Division, Second Brigade arrived near Bealton Station, VA to set up winter quarters. It took some of the men just four days to finish their cabins which included a fireplace and bunks. Some of the officers lived in cabins their men built for them which were 9 foot by 11 foot with canvas roofs. One officer wrote his cabin included a fireplace, stone chimney, some furniture and a door. Their only duty during December was to guard supplies at a depot. Since Colonel Jeffords death the Regiment was still under command of Lt Colonel George Lumbard who during this downtime started to pen letters to become a colonel and continue to command the 4th Michigan. On December 20th Major Jarus Hall read the assembled men orders about reenlistment and that they would receive a bounty, 30 days furlough and be designated “Veteran Volunteers” if a majority signed on for another three years. The response was mixed and on Christmas just 20 men had reenlisted. The Lt Colonel and Major tried to further create excitement in reenlistment by offering a party to those that did that would include plenty of whiskey. One such party did take place on December 29th.
The year of 1864 opened with the reenlistment question still hanging in the air. In the end about 150 of the men did not reenlist as they felt they had done their duty and it was someone else’s time to serve. Almost an equal number did reenlist. For those men, they left for Michigan on February 25th to start their furlough. Once the men returned they didn’t have to wait long for the next campaign to begin. By the end of April the Army was getting ready to march towards one of its toughest campaigns yet under the direction of General Ulysses Grant.
May would start with the Battle of the Wilderness. It was a costly one for the regiment as by the end they had fewer then 200 still standing. There was no time for rest as the fight at Spotsylvania Courthouse was just a few days later. By May 8th the senior most officer still with the regiment was Captain David Marshall who took command of what was left. On May 15th they received additional men that brought them back up to about 200 present for duty. The fighting carried on into June with Cold Harbor as Grant continued to drive the Confederate Army further south toward Richmond. Eventually, meeting them around the defenses at Petersburg, VA. Here on June 19th those original men that did not reenlist were able to start for home. What was left of the Fourth was enough to be an effect unit any longer because of the casualties in May and June. They were combined with the 1st Michigan Infantry essentially bring an end to the 4th Michigan as it had existed for the last three years.
Major Jarius Hall, now Colonel, started to recruit for a reorganized 4th Michigan back home in the summer and fall of 1864. However, this new regiment, with a few of the original men who changed their minds, would be sent west instead of east. The old 4th serving in the 1st Michigan thought for sure they would join this new unit. But they received notice that they would not be transferred to join the reorganized 4th Michigan. During the rest of the year the old 4th Michigan in with the First continued to stay outside Petersburg in trenches. They spent this time digging, building, skirmishing and keeping their heads down. They would see action again at Five Forks before being at Appomattox Courthouse for the surrender of Lee in April 1865. They went to Washington to march in the Grand Review but did not get to go home as many other units did.
The reorganized 4th Michigan went west and spent the rest of 1864 into 1865 marching and camping around Nashville and Knoxville Tennessee when the war ended. They thought they would go home but were instead transferred to New Orleans. The reunion of the old and new 4th Michigan took place in June 1865 in New Orleans. One veteran jokingly wrote it was “a pleasure ride of about 2400 miles.” The journey was still not over as concerns of Indian attacks and Confederate activity in Mexico sent them into Texas. The time passed slowly as they moved around central Texas. By May 1866 over 100 men had deserted and three times that number had been discharged for disability along with many dying from disease.
The end finally came for the remaining 235 men when they started a two-week trip to Detroit. The reorganized 4th Michigan arrived on June 10th, 1866 and was sent to the barracks at Fort Wayne, Detroit. They were mustered out of service on June 12th, 1866.
References: The 4th Michigan Infantry in the Civil War by Martin Bertera and Kim Crawford www.4thmichigan.com built and maintained by George Wilkinson
SOLD!!! A great badge worn by a veteran of the 17th Michigan Infantry, Company H. The badge is a large disk with a metal holder and a celluloid center. Written on the celluloid is "Company H - 17th Regt Michigan Infnatry". The badge is approximately 2 inches wide. The badge was made by the C.S. Cole & Co., 199 So. Clark Street, Chic ago, Ill. as noted by the manufacturer's mark on the back of the badge.
Seventeenth Michigan Infantry Page 514-517
This noted regiment was organized at Detroit in the spring and early summer of 1862. Its first colonel was the late William H. Withington of Jackson, one of the best officers Michigan gave to the army. In this regiment was Captain Julius C. Burrows, for nearly thirty years a member of the house or senate in the Congress of the United States. The regiment under command of Colonel Withington left Detroit on the 27th day of August, 1862, for Washington, D. C. It was assigned to the celebrated Ninth Army Corps, so long and so well commanded by Major General Burnside. On the 14th of September, or a little more than two weeks after leaving the state, the regiment was hotly engaged at South Mountain, Maryland. Out of the 500 officers and men who went into the fight on that day, 141 were killed or wounded. This was more than many regiments suffered during the entire war. Three days later, viz.: on September 17, the regiment was again in the thick of the fight at Antietam, where it sustained a further loss of eighteen killed and eighty-seven wounded. So it came to pass that in less than three weeks from the time the young men of this regiment left their camp and friends in Michigan, 246 of their number had been killed or wounded on the field of battle.
Their splendid valor reflected luster on the state that sent them and glory on the country for which they died. General Wilcox, their division commander, says in his official report that "The Seventeenth Michigan performed a feat that may vie with any recorded in the annals of war and set an example to the oldest troops." General McClellan, commanding the army, said "The Seventeenth Michigan, a regiment which had been organized scarcely a month, charged the enemy's flanks in a manner worthy of veteran troops."
The correspondent of the New York Press wrote to his paper that "The impetuous charges of some of our regiments, particularly that of the Seventeenth Michigan, but two weeks from home, carried everything before it and the dead bodies of the enemy on that mountain crest lay thick enough for stepping stones." From the Army of the Potomac the Corps with which the Seventeenth Michigan served, was transferred to Kentucky in the late spring of 1863 and in June to the army under Grant then besieging Vicksburg. After the surrender of that stronghold it returned to Kentucky and entered East Tennessee where it did effective service until the spring of 1864, when it was transferred back to Virginia, where it again became a part of the Army of the Potomac and participated in the battles that resulted in the fall of Richmond, the evacuation of Petersburg and the surrender at Appomattox. In all this the Seventeenth fully sustained its reputation gained in the early days of its service. It lost heavily at Campbell's Station in East Tennessee. It fought splendidly in defense of Fort Saunders at Knoxville and on the 12th of May, 1864, in Grant's campaign in the Wilderness it went into action with 225 officers and men, and lost twenty-three killed, seventy-three wounded and ninety-seven prisoners, leaving on the evening of that day but thirty-six together about the colors. Perhaps no regiment that went from Michigan had a wider range of service or did harder fighting than this, whose Company K was recruited so largely from Marshall, Albion, Battle Creek, Bedford, Sheridan, Marengo and Homer in the order named. Captain Thayer was wounded at South Mountain on September 14, 1862, and resigned May 15, 1863, on account of disabilities incurred. Thomas W. Wells of Marshall, became successively sergeant, sergeant major and lieutenant in Company K, and then resigned and later entered the Eighth Regiment of Cavalry.
The 17th, after the surrender of Lee's army, returned to Washington, where on May 23, 1865, it participated with the Army of the Potomac in the great review and where on the 3rd of June following, it was mustered out of service and returned to Detroit on the 7th to be paid off and disbanded.
The total enrollment, 1,224. The total killed in action, 84. The total died of wounds, 48. The total died in Confederate prisons, 54. The total died of disease, 84. The total discharged for disability, wounds and disease, 249.
A hard to find ribbon worn by members of the 2nd Minnesota Infantry at their 1894 reunion held in St. Paul, Minnesota. The ribbon is blue and has black writing and graphics. Written on the ribbon is "1861 - 1865 - Annual Reunion 2nd Minn. Vol. Inf. at St. paul, Minn. - Sept. 11, 1894. - Mill Springs, Corinth, Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, Savannah, Bentonville, ect.". The ribbon is approximately 7 3/8 inches long and 2 7/16 inches wide. There are three small spots on the bottom of the ribbon.
A nice badge worn by members of the 8th Minnesota Infantry at their 1914 reunion held in St. Paul, Minnesota. The badge is white and has black writing. Written onthe badge is "8th Regiment Minnesota Vol. Infantry - St. Paul - September 9, 1914". A red 23rd Corps badge is printed above the writing on the badge. A "t" bar type pin is attached to the back of the badge.
SOLD!!! A nice ribbon worn by Union veterans at the 1906 McLeod County, Minnesota Veterans Reunion held in Brownton, Minnesota. The ribbon is a pink color with black writing and graphics. Written on the ribbon is "15th Annual Encampment of the McLeod County Veterans' Association - Brownton, Minn., June 26-27, 1906". A flying eagle holding an Union shield and arrows is in the middle of the ribbon. The ribbon is approximately 7 1/8 inches long and 2 1/4 inches wide.
1898 Michigan at Cincinnati GAR National Encampment Badge
Item #: 14630
Click image to enlarge
SOLD!!! A nice badge worn by Michigan Union veterans at the 1898 Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The hanger is a silver type color with "Organized May 6, 1868 - MICHIGAN" written on it. A red ribbon is attached to the hanger with "Cincinnati 1898" written in gold type ink. Attached tot he ribbon is a bronze colored drop with the Michigan state seal on it. Written around the seal is "Department of Michigan - G.A.R.". On the back of the drop is the G.A.R. logo and "32nd National Encampment G.A.R. - Cincinnati - September 1898".
SOLD!!! A super badge worn by members of the 84th Indiana Infantry at their 1908 reunion held in Dunkirk, Indiana. The hanger is a brass type maetal with the word "Souvenir" written on it. A blue ribbon is attached. Written on the blue ribbon in gold type ink is "SAMUEL ORR, Colonel, 84th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Reunion - 36th Annual Reunion - Dunkirk, Ind. - Sept. 18, 1908". A drop is attached to the ribbon and has a celluloid photograph of Colonel Orr! A brass type metal surrounds the celluloid photograph. The badge is made by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey as stamped inthe back of the drop.
Regimental History
Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry. — Cols., Nelson Trusler, Andrew J. Neff, Martin B. Miller; Lieut. -Cols., Samuel Orr, Andrew J. Neff, William A. Boyd, John C. Taylor, Martin B. Miller, George N. Carter; Majs., Andrew J. Neff, William A. Boyd, William Burres, John C. Taylor, Martin B. Miller, George N. Carter, Robert M. Grubbs. This regiment was organized at Richmond and was mustered in Sept. 3, 1862. It left the state on the 8th for Covington, Ky., where it was assigned to the defenses against the threatened invasion of Kirby Smith's forces. On Oct. 1 it moved by rail for Point Pleasant, W. Va., and moved from there on the 13th for Guyandotte, where it remained until Nov. 14. It was then in the vicinity of Cassville and Catlettsburg, Ky., until Feb. 7, 1863, when it left Catlettsburg for Louisville, which place was reached on the 17th, and the regiment was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 3d division, Army of Kentucky. It was first ordered to Nashville, then to Franklin, where it remained until June 3, being engaged in several skirmishes. It marched for Triune and was assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, reserve corps, Gen. Granger commanding. It was in the fight at Triune and pursuit of Bragg, the regiment marching to Middleton, Shelby villa and Wartrace, remaining there until Aug. 12. It moved to Estill springs on the 20th, thence to Tullahoma, Stevenson, Bridgeport and Chattanooga, arriving at the latter place Sept. 13. It participated in the battle of Chickamauga, where its division held the extreme left, on the first day, repeatedly repulsing desperate assaults, and on the next day materially aided Gen. Thomas in saving his army from the massed assault of the enemy, losing in the two days 125 in killed, wounded and missing. The regiment moved to Lookout mountain, thence to Moccasin point, and on Nov. 1, to Shell Mound, where it remained until Jan. 26, 1864. It was then assigned to the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 4th army corps, and moved towards Georgia via Cleveland, being engaged at Buzzard Roost. It returned to Cleveland and remained there until May 3, when it moved with the army for Atlanta. It was engaged at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine creek, Pine mountain, Kennesaw mountain, Kolb's farm and Peachtree creek. It participated in the operations about Atlanta and in the battles of Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station, afterward being transferred to the 2nd brigade, 3d division, and left Atlanta on Oct. 3, for Chattanooga, moving thence to Athens, Ala., and thence to Pulaski, Tenn., Columbia and Franklin, being present at the battle at the latter place on Nov. 30. It moved to Nashville, and in the battle there participated in a charge on the enemy's skirmish line, and later in a charge upon the main works of the enemy, carrying his position and driving him from the field. It moved in pursuit as far as Huntsville, Ala., and remained there until March 13, when it was ordered to eastern Tennessee, operating about Knoxville, Strawberry plains and Bull's gap, until it moved to Nashville on Apr. 18. It was mustered out June 14, 1865, when the recruits were transferred to the 57th Ind. with which they served until its muster-out in November. The original strength of the regiment was 949; gain by recruits, 78; total, 1,027. Loss by death, 207; desertion, 53; unaccounted for, 9.
1923 Muncie, Indiana State G.A.R. Encampment Badge
Item #: RX22635
Click image to enlarge
A nice badge worn by Union veterans and Grand Army of the Republic members at the 1923 Department of Indiana encampment held in Muncie, Indiana. The hanger has an eagle holding a saber in his claws with crossed cannon barrels behind him. An Union shield is below the crossed cannons and "G.A.R." is written below the shield. Attached to the hanger is a round drop. On the front of the drop is the likeness of Chief Muncie and "Chief Muncie" is written around te likeness. On the back of the disk is written "44th Annual Encampment G.A.R. - Dep't of Indiana - 1923". In smaller letters along the side of the disk is "W.& H.Co.Newark.N.J." for Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey, the manufacturer of the badge. A red, white, and blue ribbon is attached.
1900 Indianapolis State Reunion Badge with Medal of Honor Winner
Item #: 13178
Click image to enlarge
SOLD!!!
A nice badge worn by Union veterans and Grand Army of the Republic members at the 1900 Indianapolis Department of Indiana reunion. The hanger of the badge has a cannon tube, crossed muskets, a saber, cannon balls, and laurel leaves. The word "Indianapolis" is on the top of the hanger. A red, white, and blue ribbon is attached to the hanger. The drop has the likeness of Medal of honor winner Henry W. Lawton, 30 Indiana Infantry on it. Written on the drop is "Lawton" and in smaller letters "J.K. Davison, Phil." who was the maker of the badge. On the back of the drop is the Indiana state seal and "Department of Indiana - G.A.R." written on it. There is a slight separation on the back of the ribbon.
Henry Ware Lawton (March 17, 1843 – December 19, 1899) was a highly respected U.S. Army officer who served with distinction in the Civil War, the Apache Wars, the Spanish–American War and was the only U.S. general officer to be killed during the Philippine–American War. The city of Lawton, Oklahoma, takes its name from General Lawton, and also a borough in the city of Havana, Cuba.
Early life
Lawton was born on March 17, 1843, in Maumee, Ohio. He was the son of George W. Lawton, a millwright, and Catherine (née Daley) who had been married in December 1836. Henry had two brothers, George S., and Manley Chapin.
In 1843, Lawton's father moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to work on a mill. The family followed him the same year. George went to California in 1850 to build shakers for the gold miners. He returned to Ft. Wayne later in 1853 and shortly after, on January 21, 1854, his wife Catherine died. She had been living with family members in or near Birmingham and Sandusky, Ohio during George's absence. According to accounts given by Andrew J. Barney, a resident of the area and family friend, given years later, Henry attended public school in Florence Twp., Ohio 1850 to 1854. Mr. Barney married the sister of Henry's mother in 1856 and for a time, Henry lived with the Barney family, and with his aunt, Marie Lawton, of Sandusky. He traveled with his father to Iowa and Missouri in 1857, returning to Ft. Wayne in 1858. He enrolled at the Methodist Episcopal College in 1858 and was studying there when the Civil War began.
Civil War
Lawton was among the first to respond to President Lincoln's call for three-month volunteers. He enlisted in Company E of the 9th Indiana Volunteers, and was mustered in to service on 24 April 1861 as one of the four company sergeants.[1] He saw action at Philippi, Laurel Hill, and Corrick's Ford, in what is now West Virginia. He was mustered on 29 July 1861 and returned home.[2] Colonel Sion S. Bass was then organizing the 30th Indiana Infantry, and Lawton re-enlisted.
Lawton at Corinth, Mississippi, after promotion to Captain
The 30th Indiana Infantry mustered into service on August 20, 1861. Lawton was his company's first sergeant but was promoted to 1st lieutenant on August 20. The 30th joined the Army of the Ohio, under General Don Carlos Buell in Kentucky and remained there for a brief period. The army moved on to Tennessee early in 1862. Its first major engagement would be at the Battle of Shiloh where Lawton's regiment suffered heavy losses. Lawton had experienced one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. His unit moved on and fought at Corinth, Mississippi.
Lawton's unit also fought at Iuka while attached to Buell's forces. At the age of nineteen, on May 7, 1862, outside of Corinth, he was promoted to the rank of captain.
After the Civil War he studied at Harvard Law School, graduating in 1866, before returning to the army. Lawton wished for a Captain's commission in the Army which was not forthcoming. Generals William Tecumseh Sherman and Philip Sheridan wrote recommendations supporting Lawton's efforts to rejoin the Army.
Sheridan strongly urged Lawton to accept a 2nd lieutenant's commission, which he did and he joined the 41st Infantry Regiment under the command of Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie July 28, 1866. Lawton served for many years under Mackenzie, mainly as quartermaster, and also as close confidant. He developed a reputation as a fierce and determined fighter as well as one of the most organized quartermasters in the service. Lawton served with Mackenzie in most of the major Indian campaigns in the southwest, including the Fourth Cavalry's victory at the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon.
While earning a reputation as a fierce and tenacious fighter, Lawton was also regarded as having compassion for the Indians. Among those who respected Lawton was Wooden Leg, a Northern Cheyenne who was in a group of Cheyenne escorted by then Lieutenant Lawton to a southern reservation. Lawton also served as an advocate for the Indians on the reservation when he learned that the local Indian agency was short-changing the Indians on their food allotments.
Lt. Lawton as a member of the 4th Cavalry in the late 1870s
On March 20, 1879, Lawton was promoted to the rank of captain in the regular army. In 1886, he was in command of B Troop, 4th Cavalry, at Ft. Huachuca and was selected by Nelson Miles to lead the expedition that captured Geronimo. Stories abound as to who actually captured Geronimo, or to whom he surrendered. For Lawton's part, he was given orders to lead actions south of the U.S.-Mexico boundary where it was thought Geronimo and a small band of his followers would take refuge from U.S. authorities. Lawton was to pursue, subdue, and return Geronimo to the U.S., dead or alive.
Lawton's official report dated September 9, 1886, sums up the actions of his unit and gives credit to a number of his troopers for their efforts. At the same time, in his typical fashion, Lawton takes no credit for himself. Geronimo himself gave credit to Lawton's tenacity for wearing the Apaches down with constant pursuit. Geronimo and his followers had little or no time to rest or stay in one place. Completely worn out, the little band of Apaches returned to the U.S. with Lawton and officially surrendered to General Nelson A. Miles on September 4, 1886. While the debate over the person to whom Geronimo surrendered goes on, it should be remembered that Native Americans rarely 'surrendered' to junior officers. They surrendered to general officers or higher.
At various times after the campaign, Lawton was questioned by friends about the campaign. He remained tightlipped and stated that his unit simply pursued Geronimo and brought him back.
Letter from Lt. A.L. Smith of Lawton's Geronimo Campaign
Lawton, in tall hat, with B Troop, 4th Cav. on route with Geronimo to Florida, 1886.
Band of Apache Indian prisoners at rest stop beside Southern Pacific Railway, near Nueces River, Tex. (Geronimo is third from the right, in front), September 10, 1886.
On September 17, 1888, Lawton was promoted major, inspector general of the Army. On February 12, 1889, he was promoted lieutenant colonel, inspector general. His duties provided Lawton with many opportunities to develop improvements in organization and equipment for the Army and he worked in this capacity for most of the time up until the Spanish–American War.
Spanish–American War
In May 1898, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and assumed command of the 2nd Division, Fifth Army Corps serving under General William Rufus Shafter which was being sent to Cuba. Lawton's forces spearheaded the invasion of Cuba, at Daiquiri, a shallow beach area eighteen miles east of Santiago. The landing of American forces took place on June 22, 1898.
Lawton's force of 6,000 troops moved inland as Spanish forces retreated and he reached Siboney June 23. General Joseph Wheeler took it upon himself to jump ahead of plan and found himself in a fierce fire fight with the Spanish at the Battle of Las Guasimas. Wheeler elected to send word back to Lawton for help and Lawton's unit rushed forward to help Wheeler from his difficulties but the battle was over by the time Lawton's lead regiments arrived and they took no part in the fighting. The fact that the Spanish did not put up a prolonged resistance gave the Americans the impression they would be easy to defeat. This resulted in some miscalculations regarding the Spanish capabilities in planning future engagements.
Lawton's division was sent to take the Spanish fortress at El Caney. Preparation for the Cuban campaign had been helter-skelter and Shafter failed to disembark his siege guns. Moreover, he did not have mounted cavalry, necessary for a thorough reconnaissance of the terrain prior to engaging the Spanish forces. Generals Chaffee, Kent, and Wheeler all did independent recon prior to the El Caney and San Juan hill engagements but they provided an overly optimistic assessment of the difficulties ahead. Chaffee submitted his battle plan to Lawton who read and signed it without change. In the pre-battle meeting, Shafter and his generals agreed that El Caney would require no more than two hours to take.
In the following Battle of El Caney, Lawton's division suffered heavy casualties but eventually took the city and linked up with the rest of the U.S. forces on San Juan Hill for the Siege of Santiago. Once Santiago fell, Lawton served as military governor between early August and early October 1898. Lawton had preferred to be returned to the U.S. along with General Shafter and Fifth Corps; however, the War Department selected him as military governor of Santiago de Cuba province. A number of problems faced Lawton and Leonard Wood. A major problem involved the health of the American troops and there was the priority of returning many of them home for medical treatment.
Then there was the problem of sanitation in the city of Santiago itself. Many of the residents were under nourished, ill and in need of medical attention. Civil disorder had to be settled down and unruly Cuban soldiers, still bearing arms, were ordered to remain outside the city. Conflicts with the police occurred as they were holdovers from the Spanish regime and continued to treat the citizens in an oppressive fashion. Naturally, bars and saloons were closed for a period of time and basic law enforcement became one of the duties of Lawton and his men. Lawton had a penchant for hands-on involvement alongside his troops and no doubt was personally engaged in the day-to-day post war activity. There are news reports of Lawton personally removing insurgent flags from public buildings and working alongside his troops to maintain order.
Lawton immediately tackled the problem of law enforcement, ridding the police of tyrannical Spanish officers and replacing them with Cubans. By the end of summer, he had re-established a mounted police unit made up of Cubans to maintain order in Santiago. Eventually, taverns were re-opened and the locals were once again allowed to pursue their social pastimes.
Lawton also re-established commerce in the city and outlying areas, all the way to Havana. He worked with the Customs Bureau to create an equitable system of collections and was praised by the bureau head in Cuba for his work in raising and protecting a substantial amount of money. Disgruntled Cuban generals who early had taken their troops into the interior and posed a threat to the U.S. presence were invited by Lawton to participate in local government and in fact, became quite instrumental in establishing and protecting the peace.
Lawton suffered from a fever, possibly malaria, on and off between July and October. This fact was detected by only a few correspondents. For his part, Lawton did not make light of the illness except to a few close friends with whom he corresponded. His real condition may have been 'recurring' malarial fever since he had been diagnosed with the illness, as well as dysentery in 1876. According to National Archive records, the army surgeon who diagnosed his condition at that time recommended a six-months leave in a different climate from the one in which he was stationed. His illness forced him to take a medical leave of absence on October 6, 1898. He returned to the States on October 13 and shortly thereafter, began his preparation for the assignment that would take him to the Philippines.
It has been speculated that Lawton may have been relieved due to drinking, yet, no evidence has surfaced to confirm that rumor. One source for the information was a 'phantom' (unnamed) correspondent for the New York Evening Sun and the second was Leonard Wood, a "moralistically intolerant" person who was later believed by many in the Army to have stabbed his friend Lawton in the back. Considering the number of correspondents in Santiago on the prowl for news, or possibly a scoop, any misbehavior on the part of a senior American general would have been detected and reported. Not one irregularity showed up about Lawton over the course of three months and hundreds of news reports.
Private letters to close personal friends in the U.S. from Lawton revealed that he was concerned with the number of his troops suffering from disease, the fact that he, Lawton was experiencing a fever and perhaps malaria, and his own dislike of assignment to a desk job. He was already looking ahead to a role in the Philippine campaign.
Whatever reason for his return to the states, he came back as a major-general of volunteers, having been promoted within a week or so of his landing in Cuba. When Lawton returned, he joined General Shafter for a short period of time and then went on to Washington, D.C., where he was in conference with President William McKinley, Adjutant General Henry C. Corbin, and Secretary of War Russell A. Alger concerning conditions in Cuba. He also testified before the commission investigating the Santiago campaign and was given temporary command of the Fourth Army Corps in Huntsville on December 22. On December 29, Secretary Alger announced to the press that Lawton was being placed in command of the Army field forces in the Philippines and would be reporting to General Elwell Stephen Otis, the military governor, within a short time. Lawton also toured the country with President McKinley, and other dignitaries during the Peace Jubilee.
Philippine–American War
Maj. Gen. Lawton in the Philippines, 1899
Lawton's Funeral Procession in Washington D.C., 9 Feb. 1900
With the fighting against the Spanish over, Lawton was transferred to the Philippines to command the 1st Division of Eighth Army Corps during the Philippine–American War. There, he played a significant part in the military victories during the first part of the war, scoring victories at Santa Cruz and Zapote Bridge. He was able to inspire troops by his personal leadership and successfully incorporated tactics learned while fighting Indians in the American West.
His competency and military achievements made for bad relations between him and the Eighth Corps commander, Elwell S. Otis. Despite this, Lawton was very popular among his men and the general public and was dedicated by the colonial Americans in Philippines that his image appeared on Filipino currency issued during the American colonial period in the 1920s. A major plaza in downtown Manila was named Lawton Plaza. Although renamed in 1963 to Liwasang Bonifacio, Filipinos continue to refer to it as Lawton.[citation needed] After the Battle of San Isidro, a letter arrived at the Eighth Corps headquarters with the message: "Otis. Manila: Convey to General Law[ton] and the gallant men of his command congratulations on the successful operations during the past month, resulting in the capture this morning of San Isidro." The letter was signed by President William McKinley.
Lawton continued to experience personal attacks on his reputation. General Charles King, upon returning to the U.S. had dinner with General William Shafter. Shafter informed King that someone high in the chain of command in Manila was spreading rumors about Lawton being on drinking sprees in Manila which King emphatically denied. King wrote Lawton about his meeting with Shafter who in turn wrote adjutant general Corbin. Apparently the rumors caused General Otis to write to the Adjutant General on July 11, 1899. Corbin in turn wrote McKinley's personal secretary who had inquired about the rumors and labeled the whole affair as "mischievous gossip." (The letters are located in the McKinley Papers, Vol. 36, reel 7 of the Library of Congress.)
General Emilio Aguinaldo, first President of the Philippines, referred to Lawton as "The General of the Night." When asked why he used that reference, Aguinaldo replied that Lawton was a night general and had attacked him (Aguinaldo) so often at night, he never knew when Lawton was coming.
During the Battle of Paye, Lawton, as usual, was in the midst of the fighting and was killed by a Filipino sharpshooter, ironically under the command of a general named Licerio Gerónimo. He was the highest ranking American officer to fall in battle in either the Spanish-American or Philippine-American wars. A vacancy existed for a brigadier general in the Regular Army, and rumors had passed around for months as to who the President would promote. The final tribute of recognition from the President and army had already been paid in the form of the promotion for Lawton on the day of his death. The adjutant general's office was processing the promotion when word was received in the White House of Lawton's fate.
Lawton laid in wake at the chapel in Paco Cemetery Manila. His body left the Philippines on board the transport ship USS Thomas on December 30, 1899. The USS Thomas reached the shores of San Francisco on Tuesday, January 30, 1900. Lawton was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery February 9, 1900.
Tributes
Statue of Henry W. Lawton in Garfield Park in Indianapolis.
Nine years after his death in the Philippines a statue was erected in Indianapolis's Courthouse square by an act of Congress. The statue itself was created in 1906 and won a prize for heroic statuary at the Paris Salon competition in that year, a first for an American entry into that competition. The dedication ceremony for the statue was presided over by President Theodore Roosevelt and Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, a fellow Hoosier. The Hoosier Poet, James Whitcomb Riley, composed a poem to commemorate the event, which was one of few appearances he made in the last years of his life as he suffered lingering complications from a stroke. In 1917 the monument was moved to Indianapolis's Garfield Park and rededicated.
In Manila in the Philippines, the plaza fronting the Manila Central Post Office building was named "Plaza Lawton" before it was renamed in 1963 as Liwasang Bonifacio after the Philippine hero Andrés Bonifacio. Today, the name Lawton is used to refer to the area in between the post office building (including Liwasang Bonifacio and the Manila Metropolitan Theater) all the way up to the Park n' Ride in Padre Burgos.
In 1899, the Army named a fort after Lawton. Fort Lawton was located just northwest of downtown Seattle, near the residential neighborhood of Lawton Wood. While Fort Lawton was a quiet outpost prior to World War II, it became the second largest port of embarkation of soldiers and materials to the Pacific Theater during World War II. The fort was closed by the Army in 1971, and today the bulk of the land makes up the city of Seattle's Discovery Park.
San Francisco's Lawton Street is named after him.[3]
He is portrayed in the 1997 miniseries Rough Riders by actor John S. Davies.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Captain, Company A, 30th Indiana Infantry. Place and date: At Atlanta, Ga., August 3, 1864. Entered service at: Ft. Wayne, Allen County, Ind. Birth: Ohio. Date of issue: May 22, 1893.
Citation:
Led a charge of skirmishers against the enemy's rifle pits and stubbornly and successfully resisted 2 determined attacks of the enemy to retake the works.
A neat badge worn by a veteran of the 124th Indiana Infantry at the 45th reunion held in Richmond, Indianan in 1921. The badge has a metal hanger with a place for a name. A white ribbon is suspended from the hanger. The white ribbon has a U.S. flag in blue ink on the ribbon. Also written in blue ink on the ribbon is "45th Annual Reunion - 124th Indiana Volunteer Infantry - Richmond, Indiana - September 7-8, 1921".
1921 New Castle, Indiana State Encampment Celluloid Badge/Bookmark
Item #: 15829
Click image to enlarge
SOLD!!!
One of the more colorful badges from the Department of Indiana is this beautiful rose celluloid bookmark which was part of the badge for 1921. On the celluloid bookmark is a rose with a Grand Army of the Republic membership badge printed in gold tones over the rose. Written in gold color ink is "42nd Annual Encampment G.A.R. - Dept. of Indiana - New Castle - The Rose City, 1921 - Souvenir Badge and Bookmark".This bookmark was made by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey as noted under the word "Bookmark" on the front of the badge.There are no chips or cracks on the celluloid and it has great color.
A neat badge with with a canteen drop! This badge was worn by Union veterans in the 8th Congressional Distric of Indiana at a 1907 veterans reunion. The hanger is a brass type metal. A red, white, and blue ribbon hangs from the hanger. Written in gold color ink is "The Reunion of the Veterans of the 8th Congressional District - Sept. 17, 1907 - Muncie, Ind.". A celluloid disk with metal backing is suspended from the ribbon. The likeness of a canteen is on the disk. The badge is made by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey.
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The 4th Michigan Infantry was mustered into service in Adrian Michigan on June 20th, 1861 with 1025 men including officers. It was then sent to the seat of war near Washington to join up with the Army of the Potomac. The men of the Fourth saw extensive action during the Peninsula campaign in 1862. The Regiment was present at the siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg and Newbridge. The men more than saw the elephant with fighting at Hanover Courthouse, Battle of New Bridge, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill and Malvern Hill. During this campaign the 4th Michigan suffered 263 casualties but the year was not over yet. 
Major Jarius Hall, now Colonel, started to recruit for a reorganized 4th Michigan back home in the summer and fall of 1864. However, this new regiment, with a few of the original men who changed their minds, would be sent west instead of east. The old 4th serving in the 1st Michigan thought for sure they would join this new unit. But they received notice that they would not be transferred to join the reorganized 4th Michigan. During the rest of the year the old 4th Michigan in with the First continued to stay outside Petersburg in trenches. They spent this time digging, building, skirmishing and keeping their heads down. They would see action again at Five Forks before being at Appomattox Courthouse for the surrender of Lee in April 1865. They went to Washington to march in the Grand Review but did not get to go home as many other units did.
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Antietam