Oceana During the Rebellion

This county was exceedingly liberal in men and means, considering it was but new and thinly settled with a class of hardy pioneers, who had all to make in the struggle for life, very few coming in with any means. They furnished more than their quota. Among those who especially devoted themselves to arousing up the patriotism of the people, was Edgar D. Richmond, then of Pentwater, and for many years the efficient county clerk, who rode night and day over the whole county, over all the sidelines, in 1862, spending two months at his work. Company A, Tenrty-sixth Michigan Infantry, was almost wholly formed of Oceana men, and Company F, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, raised by Maj. Noah H. Ferry, at White River, was largely made of brave and hardy lumbermen and pioneers from this county, as is evident from the company roll in the hands of James Gibbs, of Benona, one of the company. Company I, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, was raised in Pentwater, with C. W. Deane, the lawyer, as captain, and men went out by groups into other Michigan and Illinois regiments. The Indians, too, were loyal, and freely enlisted. Many Germans went in German regiments from Chicago. George Rollins enlisted in Indians, where he was at school; Dr. Weare went as surgeon of the Sixth Cavalry; E. R. Cobb as hospital steward of the same; A. W. Peek and A. J. Underhill were lieutenants of Company A, Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry. About thirty of the Indians, aroused by John Brown, Jr., son of the old man "whose body lies mouldering in the grave, but whose soul goes marching on," joined the Michigan Sharpshooters. The municipal records of the county show how large sums of money were given for bounties and to relieve families. There are now some 400 veterans in Oceana, and a number of thriving army posts. COMPANY F, FIFTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY. The following is contributed by James Gibbs, ex-sergeant and clerk of the abve company: The following is a list of the men who enlisted August 18 and 15, 1862, from Oceana County in Company F, First Michigan Mounted Riflemen, afterward called Fifth Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Col. Copeland, of Detroit: Company F was raised by Henry Hoffman, of Benona, Oceana Co., Mich., and E. C. Dicey, of White River; was consolidated and by mutual consent turned over to Noah H. Ferry, of that place, with the understanding that Ferry was to be captain, Hoffman first-lieutenant, and Dicey second, but soon after reaching Detroit Ferry was promoted to Major, Hoffman was thrown out, and a stranger (A. C. Vanderburgh) was given command of the company, and Hoffman had his choice to enlist as a private or go home, chosing the latter alternative. Company F was mustered into the United States service at Detroit, Mich., by Lieut. Col. J. R. Smith, August 28, 1862, for three years, or during the war, and was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., June 22, 1865, and returned to Detroit and was paid July 3 of the same year, and what was left of the company returned home from their at their own expense. Although our company was made up mostly of strong, healthy men, they came home broken down, and to all appearance many years older. The following are the names of all who were discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., June 22, 1865, and other places: John Barber, Wm. F. Barber, Peter Bentson, Thomas Byrne, discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., June 22, 1865; Richard E. Cater, at Parole Camp, May 1864; John Dill, Davis Dill, Fred E. Deyman, David Davis, James Gibbs, Zorester Green, at Fort Leavenworth; Henry Koster, at Convalescent Camp, Virginia, November 12, 1863; David M. Merifield (lost an arn at Gettysburg), at Philadelphia, October, 1868; James G. Medler, Augustus C. Perry, Nathan W. Smith, John H. Smith, at Fort Leavenworth; Wheeler H. Tickner, from hospital; James W. Joyce, transferred December 9, 1868, never returned to his family. The following are the names of all the members of said company who died, date, and place of death: Allen Baker, died at Andersonville, Ga., August 5, 1864, a prisoner; John Hessen, at Andersonville, July 30, 1864, prisoner; Ryneholt Hengstler, at Andersonville, April 12, 1864, prisoner; William H. Huston, at Annapolis, Md., March 1865, at Parole Camp; George W. Gould, at Richmond, April 6, 1864, a prisoner; Carl Skenk, killed in action at Fort Republic, Va., September 27, 1864; Martin Smith, George W. Smith, drowned in Lake Michigan while on furlough, September 8, 1862; Charles F. Smith, died at Stevensburg, Va., March 12, 1864; Marvin Beach, at Philadelphia, Pa., in hospital May 28, 1868. The following is the name of the only member of Company F that enlisted from Oceana Co., Mich., who deserted the ranks: Alfred C. Pope, deserted at Detroit, Mich., November 16, 1862. It will be seen that out of an enlistment of thirty-one strong, heal;thy men, that ten were lost, one transferred, one deserted, and nineteen returned home in poor health, who are all alive at this date, August 13, 1882, just twenty years since our enlistment (except Peter Bentson, who was killed about 1879, by having an arm torn off). Company F, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, has been engaged in the following battles: Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 2 and 3, 1868; night attack on rebel train at Monterey Pass, Md., July 4, '63; Boonsboro, July 8, '63; Falling Waters, July 9, '63; Ashby's Gap, Va., July 21, '63; Battle Mountain, Va., July 24, '63, Port Conway, September 1, 63; Culpepper, September 12, '63; Racoon Ford, September 14, 15, 16 and 17, '63; Madison Court House, September 21, '63; Robinson's Ford, September 23, '63; James City, October 10, '63; Brandy Station, October 11, '63; Buckner's Mills, October 19, '63; Malton's Ford, November 22 and 23, '63; Ellis Ford, November 26, '63; Kilpatrick's Raid, March 21, '64; Todd's Tavern or Wilderness, May 6, '64; Yellow Tavern, near Richmond, May 11, '64; Meadow Bridge, May 12, '64; Hanes Shop, May 27, '64; Annon Church, May 28, '64; Old Church, May 30, '64; Old Harbor, May 31, '64; Trevillion Station, June 11 and 12, '64; Winchester Station, August 12, '64; Front Royal, August 16 '64; Berryville, August 19, '64; Sheppardstown, August 25, '64; Smithfield, August 28 and 29, '64; Winchester, September 19, '64; Luray, September 23, '64; Cedar Creek, October 19, '64; New Town, November 12, '64; Madison Court House, December 21, '64; Dinwiddie Court House, March 30 and 31, '65; Five Forks, April 1, '65; South Side Road, April 2, '65; Tabernacle Church, April 4, '65; Amelia Court House, April 6, '65; Appomattox Station, April 8, '65, Appomattox Court House, April 9, '65. Our company was engaged in battle on the front lines with the rest of Gen. Phil, Sheridan's command when Gen. Lee came in with the white flag, which closed our fighting. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. There are in the county five posts of the Grand Army, which have all sprung up recently, and are in a flourishing condition. These are: At Hart, Joe Hooker Post No. 26, with about fifty members; John A. Dix Post No. 9, at Hesperia, with W. C. Simmons, Commander; Post. No. 52, at Pentwater, J. F. Reynolds commander; Shields Post No. 68, at Shelby, G. W. Woodward, commander. There is also a Soldier's and Sailors' Union for Oceana County, organized at Hart, March 18, 1880. W. E. Thorpe is the present president; E. F. Corn, vice-president; T. G. Houk, treasurer; and J. H. Slater, secretary. Dr. S. McPherson, D. C. Wickham and G. W. Woodward are former presidents. the reunion this year was in August, in the town of Elbridge. On April 4, 1882, a post of the Grand Army of the Republic was installed at Pentwater, by Mr. Thorpe, of Hart, the first officers being: Hon J. E. White, post commander; E. Nickerson, S. V. C.; A. J. Underhill, J.V.C.; E. Rich, adjutant. There were fifteen members at the first meeting, and the post is being firmly planted.