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1ST MICHIGAN INFANTRY A CIVIL WAR REENACTING GROUP
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BRANDYWINE
On May 16th, several members arrived early and set up for the School Day Program. Hundreds of students were bused in from the surrounding areas and were in awe of all of the stations we put together. Nothing could beat seeing all the students from Benton Harbor hitting the ground after being surprised by the cannon going off. On May 17th, the 1st Michigan awoke from a rainy night to take part in the 2nd annual Battle of Brandywine. After dress parade and drill, we talked to the many spectators and hopefully taught them a little about the Civil War. We then marched onto the battlefield. The artillery opened up and kept up a lively counter battery fire as we located the Confederate army and double quicked to their flank. With the fighting might of the 1st on one flank and the 3rd and other units on the other, we steadily pushed forward and won the day. During the evening, the 1st did itself proud going a combined 8-0 in the arm wrestling championship that pitted us against the 3rd Michigan and various Rebels. Word of an approaching storm sent us scurrying for tents or under the fly of the chaplain where we sang and joked, and then bedded down uncomfortably close to one another as we listened to the rain pour down. On the 18th we enjoyed a chilly, relaxing day of comradeship with one another until the battle. When we arrived on the battlefield that afternoon, we dug into a fence row across from the Confederates and awaited attack. As we waited, Confederate and Union cavalry charged back and forth as artillery thundered and the infantry took pot shots at one another. Private Dean Rigoni acquitted himself quit well as he took a position in a big tree and forced the Rebs to keep their heads down. After the cavalry was driven off, we were ordered to charge. A couple of our brave boys made it all the way to the Secesh lines, but we were forced back by heavy fire. The Rebels then counter charged us, but they too were driven back to their side of the field. There were several charges and counter-charges, until the Union was finally driven back and off the field. A big thanks goes out to Gordon Charlton and Joe Fortner for putting this event together and making it a memorable one. This was a fun event and we look forward to it for many years to come.
As seen in the South Bend Tribune
MEMORIAL DAY- BLOOMINGDALE
On May 26th twelve members of the 1st Michigan and 6th Wisconsin formed the 10th Michigan (this will be a funny story told at future reenactments) and marched in Bloomingdales’ Memorial Day Parade. The parade kicked off at 11:00 and we marched about five blocks in front of a packed crowd. While on the march many thunderous volleys were fired to much oohing, ahhing, and applause. After the march, we joined local veterans and citizens in the village park where a few speeches were made and awards were given out. Many local veterans were brought forward in front of the crowd and they and their families were rightly honored their service and sacrifice. At the speech a crisp three gun salute was fired by us and the local VFW members. After the speeches, we then marched to the local cemetery where at least eight Civil War veterans were buried. These veterans were from the 24th Michigan, 43rd Indiana, 1st U.S. Sharpshooters, 1st Michigan Cavalry, 2nd Missouri Cavalry, and an Illinois and Pennsylvania regiment. These graves were spread over and area of roughly 100 yards and divided by a tree filled ravine. Over each grave a member of the 1st or 6th stood, and a fire by file commenced. It was very stirring to see and hear one shot fired in succession as it worked its way across the cemetery toward the woods to be resumed out of sight on the other side of the trees. We formed back together and marched back to the village park where we looked through the local museum and then went to the little league park for a cook out. I would like to thank each and every member of the 1st and 6th who were able to make it out and enjoy our parade. I know we were an unexpected and pleasant surprise, and by the number of thank you’s we received, I know people enjoyed having us in attendance and there will always be an open invitation for us to come back in the future. Again I want to thank the members of the 1st Michigan and 6th Wisconsin and their families who could make it to the parade and make it a memorable one. Thanks Again, Wyatt Burleson and the Village of Bloomingdale UPCOMING EVENTS
June 7th- 2:30 PM, Elliot Norton Medal of Honor Gravestone Dedication. Mr. Fred Upton will be in attendance. If you want any more info give Keith a call.
June 20-22 –Portage, Celery Flats, tactical, presentations, battles and a band. Steve has gone all out on this one.
July 4-6 – Gettysburg, meeting at Portage event.
THIS MONTH IN FIRST MICHIGAN HISTORY
June 1861- Action at Arlington Mills June 1 (Co. "E") June 1862- Duty at Camp Hamilton, Fortress Monroe, Va. Ordered to join the Army of the Potomac in the field. June 25-July 1. Battles of Mechanicsville June 26; Gaines Mill June 27; Peach Orchard and Savage Station June 29; Glendale and Turkey Bridge June 30 (Also know as the Seven Days Battles.) June 1863- Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. June 1864- Bethesda Church June 1-3. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
NEXT MONTH IN FIRST MICHIGAN HISTORY July 1861- Duty in the Defenses of Washington, D.C., until July 16. Action at Arlington Mills June 1 (Co. "E"). Advance on Manassas, Va., July 16-21. Battle of Bull Run July 21. July 1862- Battle of Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison's Landing until August 16. July 1863- Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap July 5-24. July 1864- Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864 (Reserve). July 1865- Ordered to Louisville, Ky., June 16, and mustered out July 9, 1865.
MEMBER OF THE MONTH-
Brent Reeves
Rank: Private Enlistment: May 1st 1861 (3 month) Sept. 16th 1861 (3 year) DOB: May 09, 1835 Occupation: Builder (Construction) and Volunteer Firefighter Bio: Brent moved to Michigan with his family in 1845 at the age of 10. The Reeves family established a homestead in a rural area on the far south side of Kalamazoo. Brent attended school until the age of 15 at which time he began building houses and office buildings in the Kalamazoo area. Brent often spent his breaks over at the local firehouse, drinking and hanging out with the firemen. Finally at the age of 18, he signed up to be a volunteer firefighter. He was assigned to the Excelsior Fire Co. in Kalamazoo and is credited with saving numerous lives as well as playing an integral part in installing Kalamazoo’s very first fire alarm system, which was located in the bell tower of the First Baptist Church. In 1861 as word of the attack on Ft. Sumter reached Michigan, Brent and many other members of the fire department immediately enlisted in the 3 month regiment of the First. After a heroic and valiant fight at Bull Run, Brent returned to Michigan and reenlisted with the reorganized 3 year regiment. One memory Brent recalls from Bull Run is how he fought side-by-side with the 11th NY Infantry, The Red Shirted Devils who were his brother firefighters from Manhattan, NY. Brent gives these men credit for fighting with all their might alongside the 1st for hours that day, doing the Union proud!
THE MULE KICK BY R.E. TREAT
Directions to Portage-
From East/West/North- Take exit 78 A on I-94 head south Go 1.8 miles, turn left on Garden Lane. From South- Going north on US-131 turn right on Shaver Road go 4.8 mi. Continue straight on Westnedge Avenue for .5mi Turn right on Garden Lane |
