Michigan in the Civil War

Andrews, John Sidney.

About twenty letters (1862) written to his wife, chiefly from Fort Blair, Ky. He discusses home affairs; comments on the health of the men in camp; and constantly refers to the lack of equipment and the resulting unrest of the men. Some, even without proper equipment, are sent to guard government property in Louisville. Because of rain and high water and the lack of horses, boats are used to get provisions from Louisville.

He tells of the officers having tea in the home of a Presbyterian minister, and of his having dinner with a "strong Union man" across the line in Indiana. He attended a Methodist Church, and was interested in the method of receiving new members into the church. A Methodist minister was arrested because the congregation believed him disloyal to the Union cause. There are rumors of battles, especially Pittsburg Landing, accounts of Morgan's raids in the vicinity; of attacks on picket lines; and the arrival of new troops.

Andrews, a merchant from Coldwater, Mich., served in Battery F (known as Andrews' Battery), 1st Michigan Light Artillery, as Captain, from October 1861 to December 1862, when he resigned.

The collection also includes letters from several other soldiers:

Norman S. Andrews. One letter from Lexington, Ky., June 16, 1864, to his brother, Captain John S. Andrews, telling of his activities that kept him twenty-five days in the saddle. Norman S. Andrews was in Battery F, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, as First Lieutenant (1861-1864), then commissioned Colonel in the 12th U. S. Colored Artillery, July 24, 1864, and discharged at Louisville, Ky. in January,1865. In 1866 he was appointed U.S. Marshal for the Eastern Division. In civilian life he was a surveyor and civil engineer in Three Rivers, Mich.

William H. Brown. One letter from Louisville, Ky., September 4, 1862, to Captain Andrews, tells of a battle in which his unit was forced to fall back because of the "cowardice of the infantry." "Our men fought like tigers." He also said, "Paddock is an army of himself in a fight, for a braver and nobler man never lived." Brown, from Branch County, Mich., enlisted in Battery F, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, October 15, 1861; was commissioned second lieutenant December 5, 1862; resigned March 15, 1864.

Byron D. Paddock. Three letters to John S. Andrews in Aug. 1862, chiefly about orders to march on fighting. Paddock, from Coldwater, Mich., served in Battery F, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, as quartermaster sergeant, second and first lieutenant, and captain, and was discharged April 6, 1865.

Luther F. Hale. Three letters written to the Andrews brothers from Henderson, Ky. in July 1862. There is much trouble in camp between officers and men. The men seem unhappy, demoralized, not knowing what to do for lack of equipment and from inactivity. He also tells of trouble with guerrillas who are dressed as citizens. Hale, of Coldwater, Mich., served as first lieutenant to lieutenant colonel and acting assistant inspector general in Battery F, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, (1861-1864). He resigned November 22, 1864.

George B. Tyler. One letter to Captain Andrews concerning his duties at Henderson. Tyler, from Branch County, Mich., served as second lieutenant in Battery F, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, at organization, October 15, 1861, he was killed in action at Henderson, Ky., June 30, 1862.

The collection includes partial transcripts of many of the letters, as well as a partial subject index.