Michigan in the Civil War
Browse by Name: Price, Charles A.
Price, Charles A., 1837-
Price, of Lansing, Mich. was in Company G, 3rd Michigan Infantry (1861-1864) as corporal, sergeant and lieutenant; transferred to Company A, 5th Michigan Infantry in June 1864 and was taken prisoner at Petersburg. He returned to his regiment May 5, 1865 and was mustered out July 5.
There are three letters written in 1863. He speaks of the rebels firing big guns all night on small boats up and down the river. The 5th Regiment has a fine brass band, and, in fact, there are three good bands within a half mile of each other. There are five men to a tent, and dish washing consists of tin cups, plates, spoons, knives, a spider and a kettle. Two men cook for the whole company, boiling meat, tea, coffee. Six men were going home to recruit, for the regiment lost many in the last battle. He comments on the battle of Gettysburg and the death of a comrade. A bullet went through his rule book and some letters but left him unhurt. They were engaged in a skirmish at Manassas Gap. In the July 30 letter he said they had been on a long march through dust, heat, rain, mud; had had no change of clothes since June 11, and were "a hard looking set." In the camp near Sulphur Springs they put up shade bushes around their tents, which are in a field near the enemy. Again he speaks of the draft and conscripts because the regiment needs men.