Other sword presentations were made to Lieutenant Birrell, by his friends; to Captain Speed, by the Detroit Bar; to LieutenantColonel Flanigan, a sword by the deputy sheriffs of Wayne County, and a horse by other friends; to Doctor Collar, a sword by citizens. of Wayne; to Lieutenant Farland, a sword by Company D; to Lieutenant Rexford, a sword from the Detroit Bar; to Lieutenant Dillon, a sword from the Molders' Association; to Lieutenant Yemans, a sword from friends of the First M. E. Church of Detroit. Captains Ingersoll and Owen, and Lieutenants Sprague, Hutchinson, Burchell and other officers were remembered in similar manner. On August 25, the friends of Colonel Morrow presented him with a three hundred dollar horse purchased from Samuel Lyndon of Canton, through William Jennison, who said: Colonel-It seems but yesterday that you pledged the people to organize a regiment. That pledge stands redeemed, and one thousand brave men await your command to march to the front. With grateful pride at your success, your neighbors ask you to accept this living token - in peace the emblem of labor. Amid the storm of battle, may it bear you triumphantly against your country's foes. Colonel Morrow replied as follows: The worth of this present is a thousand times enhanced by the fact that it is a gift from the citizens of Detroit, among whom I have passed all the days of my manhood. This camp, the roll of yonder drums, and these brave men, all seem like a dream. But yesterday, I was in the quiet pursuit of my profession. I am here because my country needs my services. I came to Detroit ten years ago, an unknown boy. Its people adopted me, and I have had honors beyond my deserts. If, by leading this regiment to the field, I can repay the debt of gratitude I owe them, I welcome the opportunity. I shall take good care that the high character of my State sustains no injury, and my battle cry shall be "Detroit, and Victory!"' FLAG PRESENTATION. On August 26, the regiment assembled on the Campus Martius, at 5 o'clock P. M. to receive a beautiful flag donated to it by Messrs. F. Buhl & Co. It was presented by David E. Harbaugh, who said: Colonel Morrow-Your regiment has been sooner raised than any other that has left the State. Messrs. F. Buhl & Co. request me to present, through you, to the regiment this beautiful banner. It is the gift of generous, loyal men to patriotic soldiers. It symbolizes our Union, its power, grandeur and glory. In the smoke and din of battle, may its beautiful folds ever be seen till victory shall bring peace to our distracted country. Colonel Morrow, taking the flag, said: This is the flag of the United States, and it shall never be any other. I have a check from a citizen of Detroit for the color-bearer, Abel G. Peck, of Nankin, and a further assurance of one hundred dollars in the event of the flag not being lost in battle, as it never will be. [Cheers.] Judge J. V. Campbell then spoke as follows: Colonel Morrow - The people of this old county feel a deep interest in those under your command, who belong to their own households. It is my pleasant duty to offer you this sword from those who will renew their proof of confidence when you lead them in battle. Let it gleam at the head of your columns until there is no longer an enemy to meet them. To which Colonel Morrow replied: I thank you for this handsome gift. It shall never be used except in defense of my country. If I die it will be with my face to the foe. Once more, and it may be the last time, I bid you adieu. It was truly an affecting scene, and as Colonel Morrow martially mounted his horse and, in loud voice, gave the commands that moved his regiment away to Camp Barns, there was many a "God bless you" from those who witnessed the interesting event. MATERIAL OF OFFICERS AND MEN. With very few exceptions, the Twenty-fourth Michigan had competent and brave officers. Colonel Henry A. Morrow, than whom braver man never drew a sword, was born at Warrenton, Virginia, in 1829, and was educated at Rittenhouse Academy, Washington, D. C. In youth he became a page in the United States Senate and was the favorite of Senator Lewis Cass. When but seventeen years old, he became a volunteer in the Maryland and District of Columbia regiment, and for one year was in the Mexican War, participating in the battle of Monterey and the campaign against Tampico. In 1853, upon the advice of Senator Cass, he resolved to make Detroit his home. Here he studied law and, in 1854, was admitted to the bar after examination before the supreme court. For two terms he was elected city recorder, and in 1857 was elected the first judge of the recorder's court, which position he held when he raised the Twenty-fourth Michigan. Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Flanigan was, physically, the best developed man in the regiment, being six feet four inches tall, and brave as a cavalier. In 1860, he became sheriff of Wayne county, which lucrative position he left at his country's call. The field roster was not completed when the regiment left Detroit. Colonel Morrow resolved to leave the Majority vacant until it reached the front and there make a selection from some of the old regiments for that position, whose military experience would be valuable to the Twenty-fourth Michigan. Upon its arrival at Fort Lyon, he selected Captain Henry W. Nall, of the Seventh Michigan Infantry, for Major. He had seen a year's service with that excellent regiment. He was a citizen of Detroit and brought a ripe experience in the field to the formative period of the Twenty-fourth. Adjutant James J. Barns was a Corporal in Company F, First Michigan (three months) Infantry. He was captured at Bull Run, and had been a prisoner till July 6, 1862. Quartermaster Digby V. Bell, Jr., left a good position in the custom house. Surgeons J. H. Beech, Charles C. Smith and Alexander Collar were experienced practitioners. Chaplain William C. Way was a member of Detroit Conference. Captain Edwin B. Wight was a graduate of Michigan University. He had studied law, and was extensively engaged in the lumber business. Captains W. G. Vinton and Isaac W. Ingersoll were well established builders, and left a thriving business to raise a company each for the Twenty-fourth Michigan. Captain C. B. Crosby was a merchant at Plymouth. Captain William J. Speed had just finished a term as city attorney; for several years he had been a member of the Detroit Light Guard, and brought good knowledge of military tactics to the regiment. Captain James Cullen was a contractor, and was zealous in raising his company. Captain William A. Owen had been admitted to the bar, but was in business. Captain George C. Gordon was a recent graduate of the Universty Law School, and Captain W. W. Wight was a Livonia farmer. Captain A. M. Edwards had been a student for two years in Michigan University and was a sergeant in Company K, First Michigan (3 mo.) Infantry. He was captured at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and was held a prisoner of war until May 20, 1862. During this period he was among those selected as hostages for the captured privateers of the enemy. He was sent to Castle Pinkney and thence to Charleston jail, where he shared lots to be hanged in retribution for the first privateer whom the Federal government should execute. After an imprisonment of ten months he was exchanged, and recruited a company for the Twenty-fourth Michigan. Lieutenant Richard S. Dillon was in the iron business; Lieutenant Wm. H. Rexford was practicing law; Lieutenant Charles A. Hoyt was engaged in farming; Lieutenant John M. Farland was copying in the County Clerk's office; Lieutenant John J. Lennon had already served at the front; Lieutenant Ara W. Sprague had served in the Mexican war; Lieutenant William Hutchinson was in the service of Captain Owen, in the butcher business; Lieutenant John C. Merritt in the employ of the Michigan Central R. R. Company; Lieutenant Walter H. Wallace had been a sergeant in Company F, Second Michigan Infantry, and lost an eye at the battle of Fair Oaks; Lieutenant H. Rees Whiting was engaged in journalism; Lieutenant Frederick A. Buhl was a junior in Michigan University; Lieutenant W. S. Safford was a farmer, and Lieutenant C. C. Yemans was a member of the Detroit Conference; Lieutenant Malachi J. O'Donnell was foreman of the Free Press composing rooms; Lieutenant Jacob M. Howard, Jr., was a son of United States Senator Howard; Lieutenant George W. Burchell was of military ancestry, his grandfather having fought at Waterloo; Lieutenant Newell Grace left a good law practice; Lieutenant J. M. Gordon was in the shoe trade, and Lieutenant David Birrell was in the drug business. Such honorable mention might be continued through the non-commissioned officers and men. In the ranks were physicians, ministers, lawyers, teachers, surveyors, students of Michigan University and every college in the State, as well as men of almost every business and trade. The regiment contained the best blood of the county; rich men and poor men; sons of the wealthy and sons of the laborer; men from foreign shores and isles of the sea, who could but imperfectly understand our language, but would help us fight our battles; men with gray hairs, far above exemption limit, and beardless youths of tender culture. Some had already shared the hardships of the field in the earlier stages of the war. A full list of all the original members of the Twenty-fourth Michigan, with their nativities, ages; residences, etc., will be found in appendix A. Its perusal will prove interesting, although statistical, to other readers than members of our regiment. total, 1,030. 6 4 14 700 Total, 325 Born in Michigan, 343; in other States, 357; in foreign lands, 325; unknown, 5; |