We have a strong history of military service in our family. One of the most detailed accounts of service in the Civil War comes from the obituary of my 3rd great-grandfather Bennett Michael.
This is the transcript of the obituary for Bennett Franklin Michael from 1923. I have added in photos, etc., where appropriate.
BENNETT F. MICHAEL - A CIVIL WAR VETERAN
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Oldest Mason In Kansas Buried Today With
Order In Charge, Was Ninety-Four Years Old.
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Bennett F. Michael, aged 94 years, civil war veteran and oldest Mason in the state of Kansas, died at his home 923 North Blaine Street, Sunday night of diseases incident with old age, was buried this afternoon. Funeral services took place at the First Methodist Church, Rev. Joseph E. Coe officiating. Interment took place in Prairie Lawn.
headstones of Bennett Franklin Michael and Frances Ann Lee Michael at the Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas
Mr. Michael was the oldest known Mason in Kansas, having been initiated into Temperance Lodge No. 73 A. F. & A. M. Sidney, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1852. He has been a member of the lodge for a little over 71 years.
copies of Bennett Franklin Michael's membership cards from the corresponding Mason Lodges. Note the top card says his initiation was in 1853.
Mr. Michael was a devout church worker having been a member of the Methodist Church the greater part of his life.
Mr. Michael enlisted in the Union army from Champagne Co., Illinois, on August 6, 1862, and was mustered into the United States service at Kankakee, Ill., August 22 of the same year as a private of Captain Joseph Park's company "C",
76th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Alonzo W. Mack commanding. (
according to the rosters it was company "G")
The regiment of which Mr. Michael was a member was organized in August, 186, rendezvousing at Kankakee, where a regimental organization was effected on the 22nd of that month. Soon after its muster into COlumbus, Ky., where it arrived service the command was ordered to August 29, where it remained per - until October 4, when it moved to forming drill, fatigue and picket duty Boliver, Tenn., by rail, encamping near that city until November 3 when with other troops, moved to La Grange, Tenn. It remained here until November 28,
when it moved with General Grant on his campaign along the Mississippi Central Railroad, being at that time attache dot the 4th Division, 13th Army Corps, but was afterward transferred to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 17th Corps, Army of Tennessee, and during its service took part in the engagement of Holly Springs, Miss. After this engagement he was taken along with other troops on the steamer, "Fort Wayne" from Memphis, down the Mississippi River, where they were fired upon by guerrillas from the Arkansas shore wounding a number and disabling the vessel.
Later the regiment took part in engagements as follows:
Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Yazoo Expedition, including Benton, Vaugh, Deatonville, and Yazoo City; between Jackson and Clinton, Miss., losing 102 men in killed and wounded; siege of Mobile, Ala., and capture of
Spanish Fort and
Fort Blakely, where the 76 participated in the final assault, capturing the entire garrison, and was the first regiment to plant its colors on the enemy's works; not to count a number of minor engagements and skirmishes.
Bennett F. Michael was honorably discharged on June 2, 1864, by reason of promotion to the 2nd Lieutenant of Captain Nathaniel G. Clement's company "A" 52nd Regiment U. S. Colored Troops, Colonel George M. Ziegler commanding. He was later promoted to 1st Lieutenant of his Company. He resigned on August 31, 1865, at Vicksburg, Miss. on account of being needed at home and receiving a final honorable discharge by reason of resignation.
He was wounded at Vicksburg, Miss., by gun shot int he right hand while on picket duty. He served on detached duty most of the time during the last year of his service around Vicksburg.
He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, on December 22, 1829. In 1857 he was unite din marriage to Frances A. Lee, to which union was born seven children, four of whom are living; A. L. Michael of Mexica, Tex., B. F. Michael of Wichita, Mrs. Ida Bennett of Indianapolis, Ind., and Mrs. W. H. Caman of Beatrice, Neb.
During his life he has held public office as sheriff.
During the Civil War the Michael family contributed their all to the cause, two brothers besides the late B. F. Michael enlisting. One,
John, was killed while serving in the 25th Illinois Infantry.
(The obituary's text seems a bit choppy in places, but you get the idea.)
Direct line ancestry: Bennett Franklin Michael --> Nellie Michael --> Clarence Chapman Caman --> Donald William Caman --> Donald William (Caman) Marshall --> Lora Marshall Nehring
