Michigan in the Civil War

DeLand family

James S. DeLand, from the family papers

Six letters (1862-1865) written by Charles Victor DeLand to his parents. They are concerned with runaway slaves in camp; the beauties of the country near Nashville; the battle of Petersburg in which his brother James was wounded; and the death of Lincoln. There is one letter from his mother about McClellan. DeLand was a captain in Company C, 9th Michigan Infantry, taken prisoner at Murfreesboro, re-entered service in 1st Michigan Sharpshooters as colonel, wounded in May, July, and September, 1864, and again taken prisoner. He was made brevet brigadier general, U. S. Volunteers, for gallant and meritorious service.

The collection also includes two letters from other soldiers relating to James S. DeLand, who was wounded at Petersburg, Va. James DeLand was a captain in Company F, 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, when wounded. He was made brevet major, U. S. Volunteers, for gallant and meritorious services in the assault before Petersburg, April 2, 1865.

One letter (Apr. 12, 1865) was written by Charles Allen to judge William R. DeLand. It concerns the condition of his son Captain James DeLand who was wounded at Petersburg, April 2, 1865. Allen was postmaster, Second Corps Hospital, City Point, Va.

Another letter (Apr. 2, 1865), written by Edward J. Buckbee to Colonel Charles DeLand, gives an account of the engagement before Petersburg in which Captain James DeLand was wounded and of DeLand's condition. Buckbee, from Ypsilanti, Mich., was an adjutant with the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters.

This collection is available on microfilm for interlibrary loan.