Good morning! My great great grampa was mustered into the 7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry in Monroe 22nd of August, 1861
He was 19. Initially assigned to Landers Stone Brigade and within a couple months promoted to 1st Sergeant. He was then promoted to Sergeant Major in 1863. His initial promotions were from Lt. Hall and Amos Steele. Less than a year prior to mustering out, he was assigned to COmpany F and his rank reduced to Sergeant. So 2 of 3 years he served as Sgt. Major then a reduction back to Sgt. He is on the Congressional Pension list, which was given to those with service related disabilities, though I never saw him on a wounded list.
I understand this regiment had high losses and changed commanders a few times. Hall was discharged for illness and Steele was killed in battle.
So my questions are:
1. It is possible that his promotion was a field promotion after Fredericksburg after he was in the 1st launch boat to make way for the pontoons. Then prior to mustering out that was reduced to the prior rank, although the pension pay would be about the same.
2. Would a wound that kept him from duties as a Sgt. Major have been the reason he was reduced to Sgt and assigned to another company?
3. Though it is established he had a pension, I can find no record of what disability or wound or battle received in records. Is there any way those records
are somewhere I have not looked?
Any info would be great if I can use it.
He was 19. Initially assigned to Landers Stone Brigade and within a couple months promoted to 1st Sergeant. He was then promoted to Sergeant Major in 1863. His initial promotions were from Lt. Hall and Amos Steele. Less than a year prior to mustering out, he was assigned to COmpany F and his rank reduced to Sergeant. So 2 of 3 years he served as Sgt. Major then a reduction back to Sgt. He is on the Congressional Pension list, which was given to those with service related disabilities, though I never saw him on a wounded list.
I understand this regiment had high losses and changed commanders a few times. Hall was discharged for illness and Steele was killed in battle.
So my questions are:
1. It is possible that his promotion was a field promotion after Fredericksburg after he was in the 1st launch boat to make way for the pontoons. Then prior to mustering out that was reduced to the prior rank, although the pension pay would be about the same.
2. Would a wound that kept him from duties as a Sgt. Major have been the reason he was reduced to Sgt and assigned to another company?
3. Though it is established he had a pension, I can find no record of what disability or wound or battle received in records. Is there any way those records
are somewhere I have not looked?
Any info would be great if I can use it.