dale. Those from Monroe-lieutenant-colonel, George Spalding; adjutant, John C. Whipple, Company H, of said regiment, in command of Captain Richard P. Ingersoll, of Dundee; first lieutenant, Albert H. Babcock, of Dundee. Company K, of same regiment, in command of Captain John J. Stevens, of Monroe; first lieutenant, Henry D. Spaulding; second lieutenant, Henry E. Elliott, of Monroe. The recruiting of this regiment commenced July 15, 1862, and on the 26th of August was mustered into the service of the United States leaving Hillsdale with 1,002 officers and men on the rolls, in command of Colonel Doolittle, on the 4th of September, with orders to report at Cincinnati. This regiment participated, with great credit to itself and honor to the state of Michigan, with the enemy at Danville, Kentucky, February 24, 1863; Pond Springs, Alabama, June 28, 1864; Curtis Wells, Alabama, June 24, 1864; Courtland, Alabama, July 25, 1864; Athens, Alabama, September 24, 1864; Decatur, Alabama, October 24 and November 28, 1864. The Eighteenth had carried on its rolls 1,374 officers and men, and had lost 310, of which 11 men were killed in action, 2 men died of wounds, and 297 of disease. THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC The organization of the Grand Army of the Republic in Monroe county perpetuates the patriotism of the people who by their personal loyalty and devotion to the cause of the Union, placed the name of the county of Monroe high on the roll of honor. The posts which were established in the city of Monroe and in the villages of the county are as follows: Monroe, Joseph R. Smith Post No. 76, organized in 1880. In these five posts were gathered, as charter members, between three hundred and four hundred of those who had served in the Civil war as officers or privates, enlisted from the county of Monroe. Their numbers were increased by subsequent additions from the ranks of the veterans whose ranks are now thinning rapidly and who as time elapses must, as an organization, gradually disappear from view, but whose services must ever be gratefully remembered. THE WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS Monroe Auxiliary, organized June 22, 1888. These corps were mustered by Mrs. Hampton, past national president, Mrs. Louisa A. Robbins, department president, and Mrs. Libbie Case. This organization was intended to perpetuate the patriotic work and the noble sacrifices of the women of the north during the war and forms a most interesting chapter of the history of that memorable conflict and have cooperated with the Grand Army of the Republic in every good work. CHAPTER XVIII MILITARY AND CUSTER MONUMENT THE OLD CITY GUARD--MONROE LIGHT GUARD-COMPANY K, FIRST INFANTRY M. N. G.—THE ARMORY-RAILROAD STRIKES-SPANISHAMERICAN WAR-PERSONNEL OF THE MONROE LIGHT GUARD-GEORGE ALFORD, REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER-MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER-DOING HONOR TO MONROE'S HERO-HISTORY OF THE MONUMENT-PRESIDENT TAFT'S ADDRESS-THE OFFICIAL PROGRAMME Monroe has always felt and shown a justifiable pride in her citizen soldiery. Dating back to the days of the Monroe City Guards, and later to the Cass Guards, crack companies of their day, which had more than a local reputation for their high soldierly qualities, military discipline, and fine appearance on parade. There has been nothing of which the people of Monroe need be ashamed. THE OLD CITY GUARD The old City Guard was notably represented by officers and privates in the Mexican war, who performed their duties like true soldiers; some of these fell in battle, some breathed their last in Mexican hospitals and some returned to their homes bearing high honors for bravery in the field. Whenever duty or patriotism has beckoned to the Monroe Militiaman, he has promptly responded. The record so stands to the present day, a proud and honorable one; which will be perpetuated by the present and coming generations. MONROE LIGHT GUARD On September 26, 1870, a military company was formed and named the Monroe Light Guard, forty-six members were enrolled who elected as their captain, Charles F. Gruner, a man fully qualified by experience and natural ability to fill the position creditably to himself and with advantage to the new organization. The office of first and second lieutenant were respectively filled by the election of J. Fred Beck and John A. Wagner. The roster of charter members of this company shows that they were almost without exception of German birth, most of them being members of the German Workingmen's Association. Their names were as follows: John Anderegg, William Acker, Chas. Augerer, Jacob Altemos, Fred Banke, John Bicking, Matthew Bab, Christopher Boehme, Aug. Bramlech, Henry Ealer, Andrew Falke, Chris. Frei, Fred'k Freisbauer, Christopher Grob, Henry Gruber, John Gensler, Fred Horner, George Haag, M. Kronbach, C. Krenthauf, William Keuger, Martin Loefler, J. L. Miller, J. H. Mann, Chas. Meyer, Nicholas Mohr, C. Meyer, Chris. Messerle, Geo. Ohr, George Rupp, Conrad Reinhart, Jacob Roeder, Adam Rupp, Geo. Rudolph, Christopher Streif, Wm. Stockert, John L. Sedil bauer, Phil. Schneider, Fred. Spath, John Sturn, Adam Wagner, Geo. Weiss, Jos. Zimmerman. The company having, later, voted to become members of the state militia, they were mustered into service on December 29, 1870, by Adjutant General John Robertson, as Company F, First Regiment M. S. T. Six years later, upon reorganization of the First Brigade of the state troops (on May 19, 1876), they became Company D. First Regiment of Infantry. On July 3, 1885, another arrangement of companies occurred, and they were assigned as Company G, Fourth Regiment. They continued under this designation until the Spanish-American war, when it was changed to Company M, Thirty-first Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry. COMPANY K, FIRST INFANTRY, M. N. G. After the close of the war, the state militia system was again changed, when the local company was given the assignment, as Company D, First Regiment, Michigan Infantry, which was afterwards changed to Company K, and so remains. As before stated, its original membership was almost exclusively German, and for convenience its by-laws were printed and the records kept in the German language until 1875, when the English was substituted. No support was received from the state in the beginning further than a supply of old Springfield rifles. The arms of the company underwent the usual changes from one pattern to another, the same as with other similar organizations, including "Sharps" "Improved Springfield" etc., until in 1903, the company was equipped with the Krag-Jorgensen, but at the present date have the "New Springfield," the arm adopted by the United States government. The members at first furnished their own uniforms, up to 1874, when the state supplied them. The company had no armory of course, but used for drill purposes, different public halls, the last occupied before measures were taken to erect an armory building was Kremer's hall on Front street. THE ARMORY In 1889, the Armory Association was incorporated, and bought the property at the southwest corner of Washington and Second streets, which was then occupied by a skating rink, with a large frame building, which served the purpose of a drill shed until 1895. In this year the association erected a fine brick and stone building on their property, for an armory, the corner stone of which was laid with elaborate ceremonies on July 4, 1895. The occasion was made the feature of a general celebration of Independence day, which drew an enormous crowd of people from all parts of the county and many neighborng cities. The governor of the state, Honorable John T. Rich, was the orator of the day, while many military companies from various cities and bands of music from many nearby points enlivened the occasion until late evening, under the hospitable entertainment committee of the Light Guard, which indeed, had resolved itself entire into a vast entertaining body. The whole affair was one that reflected credit upon the company and upon the city. The armory was completed at a cost of about $25,000 according to plans and specifications which provided for not only a large drill hall and business offices for the company, but also for a spacious and well appointed amusement hall. which was called the Armory Opera House. This was a provision for the citizens of Monroe that has been very much appreciated by the public, since the city had not previously enjoyed a suitable place for entertainments, and consequently 66 were deprived of the pleasure of witnessing many notable dramatic and operatic productions as well as lectures that passed them by for lack of proper accommodations. By this public spirited movement the Light Guard made themselves more popular than ever. Those who as captains have commanded the company up to the present time are: Charles F. Gruner, 1870 to 1875; John J. Stevens, 1875; Vincent Kindler, 1876; Joseph D. Ronan, 1877-1879; A. Rupp, 1879-1887; Merrell E. Webb, 1887-1894; John M. Guttman, 1894-1898; Irving S. Harrington, 18981902; Merrell E. Webb, 1902-1903; Geo. J. Schmidt, 1903-1904; Wm. J. Luft, 1904, and I. S. Harrington, 1910. RAILROAD STRIKES The company has responded three times to calls for service and active duty, by the state, and always with full ranks. On July 24, 1877, the serious railroad strike at Jackson, was the first; when, upon telegraphic orders from state authorities, the full company took the first train for the scene of difficulties. Fortunately the differences between employed and employers were settled amicably. Railroad strikes again in 1894, disturbed the peace of the public in several states besides our own, and all the troops were held in readiness to march on an hour's notice to any point where their services might be required. SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR Not again were they called upon until 1898, when the summons was very warlike indeed, and the appearances indicated they were to have an experience in the field with a foreign foe. The events leading up to a declaration of war by the United States against Spain were watched with lively interest by the troops and little doubt remained in their minds that the worst was to happen; but all were alert and ready for any demand upon them. On Friday, April 22, 1898, the captain of the company received orders to be ready with his command to move in heavy marching order, to Island Lake, Michigan, not later than April 26. This, of course, meant the mobilizing of troops at that point for active duty. The day of departure of the guard with full ranks, and in the complete "panoply of war, was a memorable one in Monroe; it was the first time that the people of that generation had been called upon to part with relatives and friends, who were bound for the actualities of war. Every business place was closed, flags and other decorations were everywhere, and the citizens were eager to give the boys a royal send off and hearty "God speed. On May 17th, the company reached Camp Thomas at Chickamauga Park, Georgia, and immediately went into camp. In June, Sergeant Reisig was detailed to return to Monroe on recruiting service, for the purpose of recruiting the company up to the required number of 106. This he accomplished in a remarkably short time, in the city and nearby townships of the county. The melancholy incident in the company during the Spanish-American war was the death in the hospital at Chattanooga, Tennessee, by typhoid fever, of Captain John M. Guttman, which was a most severe blow to the company as well as to a very large circle of friends in Monroe; as a public spirited citizen, Captain Guttman had won the esteem of his fellow citizens, who respected him for his good character, while his company gave him their unqualified confidence and affection. His remains were brought to Monroe. Upon the death of Captain Guttman, First Lieutenant I. S. Harrington became captain, and Second Lieutenant George Smidt was promoted to first lieutenant. During the few months of the war, four other deaths occurred in the ranks of the company from disease: John Fox, Daniel Keegan, Franklin Bond and Frank Davis. The company spent the winter of 1898 and 1899 at Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tennessee, afterwards going to Savannah, Georgia, and on the 24th of January, 1899, sailed for Cuba. They did not see active service during the war; were mustered out upon their return to Savannah, on May 17th, and returned to Monroe on May 19th, where they received a most enthusiastic reception. PERSONNEL OF THE MONROE LIGHT GUARD Due recognition of the merits of several of the company's officers has been made by the state, and by the State Militia. Captain Rupp was elected major in the Fourth Regiment in 1886, but did not serve on account of ill health. In the fall of 1894, Captain Merrell E. Webb was elected lieutenant colonel of the Fourth Regiment. In 1895 there occurred a vacancy in the colonelcy of that regiment, and Lieutenant Colonel Webb became a candidate against Lieutenant Colonel Lathrop of Detroit. At the election, the vote was a tie, and the contest continued with great spirit for several days, neither side feeling disposed to yield to the others; so that the regiment was without its complement of field officers, and in this condition it remained until the war in 1898. Lieutenant-Colonel Webb then promptly settled the contest by volunteering as a private. He was made first sergeant by Captain Guttman, and soon was appointed major of the Thirty-third Michigan by Governor Pingree. Major Webb saw active service in Cuba, and returned to Monroe in 1900. He afterwards went to the Philippines as a captain in the Thirtieth United States Volunteers, returning two years later with an excellent record. At the numerous regimental, brigade, state and other encampments, the Light Guard has invariably given a creditable account of itself, at times ranking above any other company in the regiment. The membership is, at present, almost wholly composed of bright, active young men; |