In the heart of winter, the 8th Michigan Infantry prepares for battles that are certain to commence upon the coming of spring. Today the regiment receives a consecration from Abel Bingham, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Grand Rapids and veteran of the War of 1812. Among those whom Bingham prays over is his…
The life of a Union soldier during the winter months is encapsulated in the diary of New Yorker, and Baptist, Judson Odell, of the 50th Regiment Engineers, New York Volunteers. Odell, during the first six days of this year, offers the following brief summary of his daily routines: Wednesday, January 1, 1862 In camp for…
As the year draws to a close, Union and Confederate forces continue maneuvering for control of the border state of Missouri. Four days ago Union Brig. Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss advanced into Boone County with a force of five companies of the Third Missouri Cavalry and two companies of Birge’s Western Sharpshooters in order to…