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- Aug 25, 2012
Colonel Frederick w. Curtenius had an interesting military experience. At age 18 he traveled to South American and severed as a lieutenant. to help free South Americans from Spain. When he returned he as appointed as a colonel in the New York militia. He soon moved to Michigan and when Michigan sent a regiment to the Mexican American War, Curtenius went along. In 1855 Curtenius became the Adjacent General of Michigan.
Early in the Civil War he wanted to see active service and was appointed the colonel of the 6th Michigan Infantry. While at Baton Rouge in June of 1862 Colonel Curtenius protected some runaway slaves and when General Thomas Williams ordered him to sent them back to their masters, Curtenius replied that he had not been commissioned by the state of Michigan to return slaves to their masters. General Williams had Curtenius arrested. Curtenius resigned his commission and returned to Michigan.
Curtenius ended his long service because his conscience would not allow him to send slaves back to their masters.
Early in the Civil War he wanted to see active service and was appointed the colonel of the 6th Michigan Infantry. While at Baton Rouge in June of 1862 Colonel Curtenius protected some runaway slaves and when General Thomas Williams ordered him to sent them back to their masters, Curtenius replied that he had not been commissioned by the state of Michigan to return slaves to their masters. General Williams had Curtenius arrested. Curtenius resigned his commission and returned to Michigan.
Curtenius ended his long service because his conscience would not allow him to send slaves back to their masters.
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