1861-1865 and could apply today to these young hockey players as well. We just needed to find the historical bridge from the past to the present

With the knowledge that the Third Michigan Infantry Regiment and the Sixth and Seventh Michigan Cav-alry Regiments had formed in Grand Rapids, I conducted some research for units from Lynchburg and learned of the Eleventh Virginia Infantry and the Second Virginia Cavalry Regi-ments. (More information about those units is provided later in this document.)

My name is Bruce B. Butgereit and I serve as the Commander of the Michigan Commandery of the Mili-tary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS).

The Commandery proudly an-nounces the creation of the -

BLUE & GRAY CUP - to be awarded annually to the school which is the victor in two of the three games played between Davenport and Liberty Universities.

At the mention of the words “Civil War” and “hockey” in the same sentence, a puzzled look ap-pears on peoples face as they at-tempt to imagine how there could be a connection.

In July of 2012, Mr. Phil Sweeney, head coach of the Davenport Univer-sity hockey team of Grand Rapids, Michigan, contacted me to ask that very question - was there a way to share the history of the Civil War on an ice rink versus a classroom.

Phil’s question was whether the subject of the Civil War could be combined with an annual three game hockey series between the Panthers of Davenport University and the Flames of Liberty University from Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty head coach Mr. Kirk Handy had expressed genuine interest as well.

I too had that puzzled look on my face but then started thinking about Michigan and Virginia...North and South...Blue and Gray...fields of valor and a sporting event...victors and the defeated...esprit de corps and team-

work...brotherhood and sportsman-ship.

Seeing the opportunity the histori-cal past provided, my immediate concern was how to be respectful of the fact that in the Civil War, young men fought and died and, while in-tense and spirited, a hockey game is just that, a hockey game.

I then determined that many historical moments provide examples which can use to effect change or to build upon. The words of DUTY, VALOR, ESPRIT de CORPS, and EVENTUAL BROTHERHOOD had applied to those boys of Blue & Gray

Both Michigan and Virginia are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War from 2011-2015.

In Michigan, there is a part-nership between the Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial His-tory Partners and the Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee of the Michigan Historical Commis-sion. This alliance works togeth-

er to promote events, facilitate communication, and to ensure that “Michigan Remembers the Civil War.”

The Partners include: the Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Le-gion of the United States; the Department of Michigan, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; iMichigan Productions; Historic

Fort Wayne, and History Re-membered, Inc.

History Partners Website

www.micw150.us/

Seeking Michigan Website

seekingmichigan.org/civil-war

Virginia Sesquicentennial Website

http://www.virginiacivilwar.org/

The Civil War and Hockey

The Civil War Sesquicentennial

S P O N S O R E D B Y :

T H E M I C H I G A N

C O M M A N D E R Y

O F T H E

M I L I T A R Y

O R D E R O F T H E

L O Y A L L E G I O N

O F T H E

U N I T E D

S T A T E S

THE BLUE and GRAY

CUP

D U T Y / V A L O R

E S P R I T

D E C O R P S

E V E N T U A L

B R O T H E R H O O D

C O N T A C T :

B R U C E B .

B U T G E R E I T

1 6 9 1

S U M M E R F I E L D

S T R E E T S E

G R A N D

R A P I D S , M I

4 9 5 0 8

6 1 6 - 8 2 7 - 3 3 6 9

C I V I L - W A R @

C O M C A S T . N E T

The Blue & Gray Cup The soldiers from Grand Rapids, Michigan and Lynch-burg, Virginia met on the field of battle numerous times throughout the Civil War.

Although far removed from the service and sacri-fice made by the soldiers of

the Civil War, the rivalry between the Davenport and Liberty Universities is often intense and spirited too.

The tradition of oppo-nents shaking hands after a hard-fought hockey game is similar to the handshakes that were eventually shared

by soldiers both Blue and Gray.

This trophy is meant to symbolize that in victory or defeat, we can demonstrate proper character through respect and understanding

N E W S L E T T E R D A T E M I L I T A R Y

S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F I N T E R E S T F R O M

C I V I L W A R T R U S T : How many soldiers fought - Blue 2,128,948 Gray 1,082,119 How many soldiers died* - Blue 360,222 Gray 260,000 *Recent research into medical and pension records indicate this number may be low. What caused the Civil War? - While many still debate the ultimate causes of the Civil War, Pulitzer Prize-winning author James McPherson writes that, "The Civil War started because of uncompromising differ-ences between the free and slave states over the power of the national government to prohibit slavery in the territories that had not yet become states. When Abraham Lincoln won election in 1860 as the first Republi-can president on a platform pledging to keep slavery out of the territories, seven slave states in the deep South seceded and formed a new nation, the Confederate States of America. The incoming Lincoln administration and most of the Northern people refused to recognize the legitimacy of seces-sion. They feared that it would dis-credit democracy and create a fatal precedent that would eventually frag-ment the no-longer United States into several small, squabbling countries."

The idea that a nation could exist without a ruling king or dictator had never been tested before America claimed her freedom in 1776.

The Civil War was the first test of that new government. Fought for many issues that are still important in our lives today - civil rights, states rights, individu-al freedoms, taxation, tariffs, and more - the Civil War was neces-sary to not only bring about the end of slavery but to effect change in so many other areas.

Following the Civil War, the

soldiers from North and South returned home, and became the leaders of the industrial revolu-tion and were active in their communities. They formed vet-erans groups to maintain the camaraderie they had established in the War.

They would also shake hands in an effort to bring unity back to the nation.

The Spanish-American War would also serve to reunite these formers foes and serve to restore a truly united America.

Civil War Basics

Text on

Trophy Base Each year, the victorious team will tie a ribbon to one of the handles of the trophy - BLUE for Davenport University and GRAY for Liberty University. In the future, a count of the number of ribbons attached will help identify which team was victorious most often.

Eleventh Virginia Infantry Regiment

May 15, 1861 - April 9, 1865 Lynchburg, Virginia

Blackburn’s Ford / First Manassas

Seven Days Battles / Second Manassas South Mountain / Sharpsburg

Fredericksburg / Gettysburg / Cold Harbor Petersburg / Appomattox

Second Virginia Cavalry Regiment

May 11, 1861 - April 10, 1865 Lynchburg, Virginia

First Manassas / Jackson’s Valley Campaign

Seven Days Battles / Second Manassas Sharpsburg / Chancellorsville / Brandy Sta.

Gettysburg / Petersburg / Appomattox

Third Michigan Infantry Regiment

June 10, 1861 - June 20, 1864 Grand Rapids, Michigan

Blackburn’s Ford / First Bull Run

Peninsula Campaign / Second Bull Run Chancellorsville / Gettysburg

Wilderness / Spotsylvania / Cold Harbor

Sixth Michigan Cavalry Regiment October 10, 1862 - November 24, 1865

Seventh Michigan Cavalry Regiment January 16, 1863 - December 15, 1865

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Brandy Station / Gettysburg / Cold Harbor Winchester / Cedar Creek

Five Forks / Appomattox

The Blue & Gray

Cup

Awarded annually to the victor of the

Davenport University & Liberty University

Hockey Series

Established in 2012 By:

Michigan Commandery Of The Military Order Of The Loyal Legion

of the United States

During the Sesquicentennial OF 1861-1865 The Civil War 2011-2015

To Commemorate The Soldiers Both North and South

DUTY / VALOR

ESPRIT de CORPS

AND EVENTUAL BROTHERHOOD

FRONT

LEFT RIGHT

BACK

“...Now we are

engaged in a

great civil war,

testing whether

that nation, or

any nation so

conceived and so

dedicated, can

long endure…”

Abraham Lincoln,

President of the

United States of

America

Third Michigan Infantry Some of the men who served in this regiment:

Byron R. Pierce,

Third Michigan,

Brevet

Major General

U.S. Volunteers

Pvt. John Strong

Color Sgt. Daniel Crotty

1st Lt. Fred Stow 1st Lt. Ernst Synold

Unknown group of Sergeants

Pvt. George Wiselogel

Pvt. Andrew Webster Sgt. Martin Taylor Pvt. Isaac Waite

Gettysburg, July 2nd 1863: This regiment, deployed as skir-mishers, held the line extending from the Peach Orchard east to the woods, was the right of de Trobriand's Brigade, and connect-ed with the left of Graham's. Went into action with 19 officers, 267 men. - Total 286 Casualties - 7 men killed, 3 officers and 28 men wounded, 7 men miss-ing - Total 45.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/MI/3MI.php

Images of the Third Michigan courtesy of Steve Soper: http://thirdmichigan.blogspot.com/

Eleventh Virginia Infantry Some of the men who served in this regiment:

Pvt. Peter Arthur

Pvt. John Anthony

William Henry Taylor and Stephen Stewart

“I worked night

and day

for twelve years to

prevent the war,

but I could not.

The North was mad

and blind, would

not let us govern

ourselves, and so

the war came.”

Jefferson Davis,

President of the

Confederate

States of America

Samuel

Garland, Jr.,

Eleventh Virginia,

Brig. General

Killed at the

Battle of

South Mountain,

Sept. 14, 1862

Pvt. J. Ray Unknown Unknown Unknown

Gettysburg: Longstreet's Corps Pickett's Division

Kemper's Brigade 1st, 3rd, 7th, 11th, & 24th Virginia Inf.

July 2. Arrived about sunset and bivou-acked on the western border of Span-gler's Woods. July 3. In the forenoon formed line in the field east of the woods with right flank near Spangler's Barn. At the close of the cannonade advanced and took part in Longstreet's assault upon the Union posi-tion in the vicinity of the Angle. Exposed to a severe fire of artillery and vigorously assailed beyond the Emmitsburg Road by infantry on the right flank with ranks thinned and much disorganized by its loss-es especially of officers it pressed on against the Union line at the stone wall where after a fierce encounter the strug-gle ended. Gen. J. L. Kemper fell wound-ed in front of the stone wall. July 4. Spent the day in reorganization and during the night began the march to Hagerstown. Present 1575. Killed 56, Wounded 356, Missing 317 - Total 731 Photo courtesy of: http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/HQ-CSA/ANV-1-Pickett-Kemper.php

Images of the Eleventh Virginia courtesy of Library of Congress

“I would be

willing, yes glad,

to see a battle

every day during

my life.”

George A. Custer,

Brevet

Major General of

U.S. Volunteers

Sixth & Seventh Michigan Cavalry Some of the men who served in this regiment:

Thomas Custer,

(brother to

George)

Sixth Michigan,

Lt. Colonel,

Two-time

recipient of the

Medal of Honor

Pvt. Orrin Arnold

Capt. James Kidd

Unknown group

Lt. Edwin Havens Pvt. Jacob Sciler Maj. C.W. Deane

Gettysburg: At the same time as Pickett's Charge, Brig. Gen. George A. Custer's Michigan Cavalry Brigade helped turn back an attempt by Con-federate Cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart to outflank the Union Army on what is now the East Cavalry Battlefield. The Wolverine Brigade - the 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th Michigan Cavalry Regiments - would go on under the Boy General to become one of the hardest-hitting, elite units of the Union Army - and to have the highest casualty rates of any Union cavalry in the war.

Photos courtesy of: http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/MI/Wolverine.php

Images of the Sixth & Seventh Cavalry courtesy of the Library of Congress and public domain

Second Virginia Cavalry Some of the men who served in this regiment:

Pvt. George Gilmer

Pvt. James Woodson

General Stuart,

speaking of

Fitzhugh Lee after

the Battle of

Gettysburg was

quoted as saying,

“one of the finest

cavalry leaders on

the continent, and

richly [entitled] to

promotion.”

James Ewell Brown

“Jeb” Stuart,

Maj. General,

C.S.A Cavalry

Thomas Munford,

Colonel,

Second Virginia

Cavalry,

Brig. General,

C.S.A. Cavalry

Pvt. James Watts Pvt. Thomas Robertson Pvt. Jesse Rusher Pvt. John Cundiff

Gettysburg: Army of Northern Virginia Stuart's Cavalry Division FItzhugh Lee's Brigade

1st Maryland Battalion and 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Virginia Cavalry

July 3. The Battalion being on duty with Ewell's Corps the Brigade brought only five regiments to this field where it arrived soon after midday and took posi-tion on the left of Hampton's Brigade on the edge of the neighboring woods. It participated actively in the conflict which ensued. Losses: Killed 5, Wounded 16, Missing 29 Total 50 Photo courtesy of: http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/HQ-CSA/ANV-Cav-FitzLee.php

Maj. General Fitzhugh Lee

Images of the Second Cavalry courtesy of the Library of Congress and public domain

Some Numbers

MEN OF CHARACTER - THE PRICE PAID

When the Third Michigan Infantry left Grand Rapids June 13, 1861, they num-bered 1,042 strong. Their first engagement was Blackburn’s Ford, Virginia on July 12, 1861, followed three days later at First Bull Run where they covered the Union retreat to Washington, D.C. At Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, they went into ac-tion with only 286 men - they would lose 45 in killed, wounded and missing.

The regiment suffered terri-ble losses in its last six weeks of existence (1864). On July 20, 1864, Major Daniel Root of the (consolidated) Fifth Michigan, writing from a camp near Peters-burg, informed Michigan Adjutant General John Robertson, that the Third Michigan “accompanied the army in all its marches and was on duty up to the last of its term of service. Not a man flinched from his duty though several were killed but a

few days before their term ex-pired. The regiment has been engaged in twelve different ac-tions, since the commencement of the present campaign, and was under fire constantly for sixty (60) days. The endurance of the officers and men was severely tried by the incessant night marches and digging in the trenches and the excitement of being constantly under fire. In the first engagement May 6th it numbered two hundred and ninety (290) [and] of this number two hundred and twenty (220) have been killed, wounded and taken, not over twenty are miss-ing. The Third effectively mus-tered out with only several hun-dred men fit for duty and those men had been transferred to the Fifth Michigan Infantry Regiment..

The Eleventh Virginia In-fantry would have 1,544 men serve in its ranks during the war. Their first engagement would also be at Blackburn’s Ford in July of 1861. On July 3rd, the regiment would be decimated during the assault that became known as Pickett's Charge. Forming up in the late morning, the regiment stepped off in the middle of the afternoon and within the hour, its men soaked the lush fields with their precious blood. The unit participated in the Battle of Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg. When the regi-ment surrendered at Appo-mattox on April 9, 1865; there was only 1 officer and 28 men left.

Of the leading 48 battles studied, it was concluded that out of every 1,000 Federals in battle, 112 were wounded. Of every 1,000 Confederates, 150 were hit. Mortality was greater among Confederate wounded because of inferior medical ser-vice and lack of supplies.

Gettysburg Union Confederate 3,155 dead 3,903 14,529 wounded 18,735 5,365 missing 5,425 23,049 total 28,063 Total: 51,112 for three days

Antietam 2,108 dead 2,700 9,549 wounded 9,024 753 missing 2,000 12,410 total 13,724 Total: 26,134 for one day Some of the bloodiest battles of the War came as Grant drove on Richmond in the spring of 1864. Confederate casualties are missing for this campaign, but were enormous. The Federal toll:

The Wilderness, May 5-7: 17,666 Spotsylvania, May 10 and 12: 10,920 Cold Harbor, June 1-3: 12,000 Petersburg, June 15-30: 16,569 Horses were not immune from the slaughter of battle either, with over 5,000 horses killed at Gettysburg. One artillery battal-ion, the 9th Massachusetts, lost 80 of its 88 animals on the Tros-tle Farm.

Images courtesy of the Library of Congress and public domain

The Third Michigan at Fair Oaks and Groveton As students of Civil War history, we can only read the stories or letters that describe daily life and battles. For those of us who have never served or faced possible death on a battlefield, we will never know the feelings of apprehension, fear, or courage that drove these men, just ordinary men, to charge into the jaws of death. Wallace W. Dickinson, Co. K, Third Michigan wrote to the Mecosta County Pio-neer, June 9, 1862 describing the battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia: “…The “Gallant Third,” which had for many months been anxious to meet the enemies of their country, led the advance; and having reached the wood in which lay concealed their mortal foes, they sent up a shout that announced to the enemy that they were again face-to-face with “the brigade of sharp-shooters” that drove them from the woods and slashings at Williamsburgh (sic). The Third found themselves opposed by four regiments, but by a well-directed fire, and several splendid bayonet charges, scattered them like sheep. The Michigan 2nd, 5th, and New York 37th fought with their usual coolness and bravery. Our loss is 30 killed, 124 wounded and 15 missing…Colonel Champlin was wounded in the hip during the early part of the engage-ment…Our Colors were brought down four times. The Color Sergeant and one of the guard was killed, and three of the guard was wounded…” Colonel Champlin was not yet fully recovered from the hip wound he had received just three months before when he was again back with the regiment. George French, Co. K, Third Michigan wrote to his brother describing the events surrounding the Seven Days Campaign of 1862, the battle of Groveton, Virginia: “The Third went into the fight with 283 men, and out of that number there was 139 men killed and badly wounded…We were all in the fight and what saved any of us God only knows, for it was a horrid place. There was rebels on the left and front of us, and on our right was a battery throwing an enfilading fire of grape, canister and shell, while a fancy Pennsylvania regiment was firing on us from behind. Poor old Third! She caught —then. Our United States flag was shot to bits until there was not a piece as big as your hand left; and finally the standard was shattered and left on the field covered with the blood of the men who had so proudly borne it through all the battles of the Peninsula. Our State colors fared but little better, but we brought it back with us.” W.W. Dickinson also described the battle of Groveton in another letter dated September 26, 1862 (the numbers reported in battle and killed, wounded or missing often varied from soldier to soldier): “…The bravery of the “Gallant Third,” that has been tested at the battles of Fair Oaks and Malvern Hill, was to be tried again, if possible, by a more terrible ordeal. That your readers may form some idea of the murderous fire from which it was received, I have only to state that out of 260 men that went into the fight, only 120 came off the field unharmed! Within the space of fifteen minutes 140 of our number was either killed or wounded!…Col. Champlin, not yet recovered from wounds received at Fair Oaks, was at the head of his regiment and led them into the fight. But in the early part of the engagement his partly healed wounds received fresh injury and he left the field, leaving the command to our gallant Major Byron R. Pierce…” Currier and Ives and Kurz and Allison were two companies that created very colorful lithographic prints of battle scenes that were nothing like the actual action on the field. The above Currier and Ives image of the Battle of Fair Oaks includes Professor Thaddeus Lowe’s balloon the “Intrepid,” the first aerial reconnaissance of a battle in history.

MEN OF CHARACTER - THE PRICE PAID

Image courtesy of the Library of Congress

Defending the Flag

Most regiments had a stand of colors - usually a national flag, U.S. or C.S.A. and a regimental state flag, often sewn by the women of the community from which the regiment mustered into the service. Presentation ceremonies included exhorta-tions to never lower the flag in defeat and never let it be dis-graced or captured by the ene-my. The flag was “guarded” by a unit called the Color Guard which consisted of Sergeants that carried the flag(s) and corporals who were ready at anytime to defend the flag against capture or to carry the flag if a color bearer was killed or wounded. The flags also served to guide a regiment under fire on a battlefield thence the term, “Rally around the flag boys.” The flags, on a nearly ten-foot pole and six feet six inches on the fly and six feet on the pike could be seen above the smoke on the battlefield. Both Blue and Gray recog-nized the importance of these flags and members of the Color Guard were some of the first targets in a battle - whether from an effort to capture the flag or to kill the Color Guard - in an effort to create confusion on the field. At Gettysburg, the Twenty-Fourth Michigan Regiment lost eleven men who carried their flags - eight were killed and three wounded - in about an hours time. The Color Sergeant of the

Third Michigan was Daniel Crot-ty. In his book, “Four Years Campaigning in the Army of the Potomac” he describes a scene involving his flag at the Battle of the Wilderness: “An incident happened during this days' fight that I never shall forget. As we are going forward on the charge, a wounded soldier, as he is borne to the rear on a stretcher, caught sight of my tattered banner, and begun the song, "Rally Round the Flag, Boys." Every man took up the words and went in with renewed vigor, driving the rebel lines inside their works. They reform and drive us back...Some of our lines com-mence to fall back, and a huge rebel asks me to surrender my colors, but those I never intend to let go out of my hands till I have no life in me to carry them.” The Eleventh Virginia Infantry has a different story to tell re-garding their flag as researched by Mr. Kevin Shroyer of the Eleventh Virginia Infantry re-enactors. The following is a summary of the events surrounding the cap-ture of the Eleventh Virginia Infantry’s battle flag at the Battle of Five Forks, Virginia on April 1, 1865. The battle flag was captured by 1st Lieutenant William Wirt Winegar, 19th New York Caval-ry (1st New York Dragoons). The 11th Virginia officer in charge of the color guard at the

Battle of Five Forks, Virginia was 1st Lieutenant Martin Van Buren Hickok of Company D “Fincastle Rifles”. Winegar was awarded the Medal of Honor for his hero-ic actions that day. Winegar’s Medal of Honor citation reads, “The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in pre-senting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Cavalry) Wil-liam Wirt Winegar, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 1 April 1865, while serving with Company B, 19th New York Cavalry (1st New York Dragoons), in action at Five Forks, Virginia. While advancing in front of his company and alone, First Lieutenant Winegar found himself surrounded by the enemy. He accosted a nearby enemy flag-bearer demanding surrender of the group. His effective firing of one shot so demoralized the unit that it sur-rendered with flag.” As a result of his actions at Five Forks, Vir-ginia, Winegar was brevetted to the rank of Captain. As for Hickok, like Winegar’s Medal of Honor citation notes, he is believed to have been cap-tured along with the other mem-bers of the 11th Virginia color-guard, although no confirmation of this has been found. Hickok reportedly was wounded five times during the war. Allegedly, at Gettysburg, Hickok was shot

in both legs in the knee area, and was struck in the side by a piece of shell as he planted the 11th Virginia colors on the stone wall on Cemetery Ridge during Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863. Note: At the time of this publi-cation, there is an effort under-way in Lynchburg to raise funds for the preservation of the Elev-enth Virginia Infantry flag.

The 11th Virginia Infantry Flag

Images courtesy of Kevin Shroyer, Asst. Adjutant, 11th Virginia Infantry Re-enactors

“The world never produced but very few such women, for she is along with us through storm and sunshine, in the heat of the battle caring for the wounded, and in the camp look-ing after the poor sick soldier, and to have a smile and a cheer-ing word for every one who comes in her way. Every soldier is alike to her. She is with us to administer to all our little wants, which are not few. To praise her would not be enough, but suffice to say, that as long as one of the old Third shall live, she will always be held in the great-est esteem, and remembered with kindly feelings for her good-ness and virtues.”

These words were written by Color Sergeant Daniel Crotty, of the Third Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in his book ‘Four Years Campaigning in the Army of the Potomac. “ They describe his respect and appreciation for Civil War nurse Annie Etheridge of Michigan who performed ex-traordinary deeds on the front-lines of battle amidst all the same dangers and peril the soldiers themselves faced.

Early Years - Annie Etheridge started in this life as Lorinda Anna Blair, born May 3, 1839, in Michigan. In 1863, an article in the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune describes her “of Dutch descent, about five feet three inches tall, with a fair complexion, brown hair and a vigorous constitution, and decid-edly good looking.

Annie was in Detroit with her second husband, James Etheridge, when Abraham Lin-

coln called for troops in 1861. He joined the Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, which was forming under Colonel Israel B. Richardson in that city. Annie, accompanied the regiment to Washington on June 5, 1861 as a volunteer nurse. Her duties also included cooking and laundering. Annie served for the entire four years as a volunteer nurse play-ing a vital role in the histories of the Second, Third and Fifth Mich-igan Infantry Regiments.

A week later, the Third Mich-igan Infantry left Grand Rapids on June 13, 1861, and joined the Second Michigan in Washington. Both regiments were placed in the Army of the Potomac so they often fought side by side. On July 18, Annie and the Michi-gan troops saw their first action at Blackburn’s Ford, Virginia, followed by the first major battle of the war at Bull Run on the 21st. The brave men of the Second and Third Michigan cov-ered the Union retreat while Annie worked tirelessly to help the wounded.

In August, 1862, Annie was at the Second Battle of Bull Run, on August 29. While she was ad-ministering aid to a wounded soldier from the Seventh New York Infantry, an artillery shell burst and “tore the soldier to pieces.” Later that day, General Philip Kearny saw her binding up wounds of a soldier while under fire. “That is right”; he said. “I am glad to see you here helping these poor fellows, and when this is over, I will have you made a regimental sergeant.”

Although given the Sergeant

chevrons, Annie never received that appointment because Gen-eral Kearny was killed two days later at Chantilly. And in spite of the fact that she was given nei-ther official rank nor pay; the men still called her their little Sergeant in Petticoats.

Despite social disapproval of a woman serving in such a posi-tion, Annie’s character and virtue were above reproach. A Febru-ary 16, 1863 article in the De-troit Advertiser and Tribune states “Her demeanor is perfect-ly modest, quiet and retiring, and her habits and conduct are cor-rect and exemplary; yet on the battlefield she seems to be alone possessed and animated with the desire to be effective in saving the lives of wounded soldiers. No vulgar word was ever known to be uttered by her, and she is held in the highest veneration and esteem by the soldiers as an angel of mercy. She is indeed the idol of the brigade, every man of which would submit to almost any sacrifice in her behalf. She takes the deepest interest in the result of this contest, eagerly reading all the papers to which she can obtain access, and keep-ing thoroughly posted as to the progress of the war. She says she feels as if she stood alone in the world, as it were, and desires to do good. She knows that she is the instrument of saving many lives and alleviating much suffer-ing in her present position, and feels it her duty to continue in so doing.”

The article continued, “These facts can be substantiated by testimony of the highest charac-

ter, and they deserve to go forth to the world to show that if England can boast of the achieve-ments of a Florence Nightingale, we of America can present a still higher example of female hero-ism and exalted acts of humanity in the person of Anna Ether-idge.”

Annie was brave and dedicat-ed in her work. The Detroit Advertiser and Tribune also reported that “At the com-mencement of a battle, she fills her saddle bags with lint and bandages, mounts her horse, and gallops to the front, passes under fire, and, regardless of shot and shell, engages in the work of stanching and binding up the wounds of our soldiers…on many occasions her dress has been pierced by bullets and frag-ments of shell, yet she has never flinched and never been wound-ed.”

“No history on the war would be complete that did not contain some mention of the noble services performed by Mrs. Anna Etheridge of De-troit… “ (Detroit Free Press, 1881)

Annie would serve for four years in a role that we would call a combat medic. She served in nearly every battle of the Army of the Potomac including Fair Oaks, Chancellorsville, Gettys-burg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and others. After the war, Annie lived in Washington, DC where she died in 1913 and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

Annie Etheridge - Daughter of the Regiment Second, Third and Fifth Michigan Infantry Regiments

Images courtesy of U.S. Army Heritage Center and State of Michigan Historical Archives

On April 15, 1865, as word of President Abraham Lincoln’s death spread throughout the country, three Union Army officer friends met in Philadelphia to discuss the tragic news. Rumors from Washington of a conspiracy to destroy the Federal government by assassination of its leaders prompted the three officers to call other officers and ex-officers together to form an organization that could help thwart future threats to the national government. A mass meeting of Philadelphia veterans was held on April 20, 1865 to pledge renewed allegiance to the Union and to plan for participa-tion in the funeral arrangements for the President. The Philadelphia officers, who served as an honor guard for President Lincoln’s funeral cortege, met again after the funeral was over to establish a permanent organization of officers and ex-officers. The name they chose, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, first appeared in a notice calling for a meeting on May 31, 1865 at Independence Hall. By 1899, the MOLLUS had more than 8,000 Civil War officer members on its rosters and was sometimes referred to simply as the Loyal Legion. At its zenith, practically every prominent officer could be counted among the ranks of the MOLLUS. In addition to Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes, Original Companions Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley served as President of the United States.

M I L I T A R Y O R D E R O F T H E L O Y A L L E G I O N

O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S

Early History

Objects and Activities Although originally organized to promote fraternal ties between Companions, advance the interests of veterans, provide relief to widows and children of deceased comrades, and promote allegiance to the United States government, the focus of the MOLLUS today also includes perpetuating the memory of those who fought to preserve the unity of the Republic and honoring the memory of wartime President, Abra-ham Lincoln and promoting his ideals. We do this by sponsoring and participating in ceremonies honoring President Lincoln and memorializing events of the Civil War and the men and women who were active in them; by furthering the study of military and naval science with ROTC awards; by promoting research and writing about Lincoln and Civil War subjects through the presentation of literary awards; by erecting, restoring, and maintaining plaques and monuments commemorating events and personalities of the Civil War; by publishing a historical journal, The Loyal Legion Historical Journal; and by engaging in other patriotic and educational activities.

Established 4 February, 1885 in Detroit, Michigan. For many years, the Commandery met at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial (GAR Build-ing). Original companions included: Bvt. Maj. General (U.S.V. ) Russell A. Alger; Bvt. Brig. General (U.S.V.) James H. Kidd; Bvt. Maj. General (U.S.V) Byron E. Pierce; 2nd Lt., 4th Mich. Cavalry James Vernor.

MICHIGAN COMMANDERY

Enemy Combatants 1861-1865 Opponents 2012