Monroe County history: Monroe had eight Civil War Medal of Honor recipients
Monroe’s military history and contributions to major conflicts dates back to the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 time periods. What may not be widely known is the impact of Monroe’s participation in the Civil War relative to other locations in the U.S.
According to the Michigan Historical Market entitled “Monroe’s Soldiers,” (which is located just south of Cass Street on the west side of West 1st Street), “Local historians credit Monroe County with the largest proportionate enrollment of volunteers in the Civil War of any county in the United States. Military enrollments have been proportionately large in Monroe County in every war, due no doubt to the community’s military background. The community was frontier and battleground for the first 35 years of its existence, 1780 to 1815. Its loyal settlers were in the forefront of the war of 1812. Trained in Indian warfare, many of them and their sons participated in the later campaigns of the far west and in the Patriot War in Canada.”
In addition, Bert Dunkerly, in his 2021 article “Monroe Michigan’s Civil War Connections”, highlights both the high percentage of Civil War troop participation from Monroe as well as providing brief profiles of the eight Monroe residents who were rewarded the Medal of Honor as a result of their Civil War participation.
The Medal of Honor is the United States Armed Forces’ highest and most prestigious military award that may be extended to American soldiers, sailors, marines, air personnel, guardians and/or Coast Guard troops who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor during a particular war or military conflict . The award dates back to the 1860's and may be awarded either by the President of the U.S. or the U.S. Congress.
The eight Monroe Civil War Medal of Honor recipients, as described by Dunkerly, include:
First Lieutenant James Christancy of the 9th Michigan Cavalry (organized near Coldwater, Michigan). As an aide, he voluntarily led a group in the battle of Haw’s Shop, near Cold Harbor, VA, in May, 1864, and was wounded twice during the conflict.
Second Lieutenant Thomas Custer, younger brother of George Armstrong Custer. Thomas Custer was part of the 21st Ohio Infantry based at Camp Taylor, near Cleveland, Ohio. At Sailor’s Creek, near Farmville, Virginia and part of the Appomattox Campaign, he leaped his horse over Confederate earthworks, captured two flags and was wounded.
Private Frederick Ballen. Serving in the 47th Ohio (based at Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio), he volunteered to serve on board a barge loaded with supplies that ran past Confederate batteries on the Mississippi River.
Sergeant Daniel McFall was a member of Detroit’s 17th Michigan Infantry. At Spotsylvania, Virginia on May 12, 1864, he captured Colonel Barker, a Confederate brigade commander, and rescued a Union officer from the enemy.
Henry Peters, Private, 47th Ohio. He served in the same action as Ballen.
Julius Rhodes. While serving with the 5th New York Cavalry (based in New York City), he had his horse shot from under him at Thoroughfare Gap. He then voluntarily joined the 105th New York (organized at LeRoy, N.Y.) and fought with them at Second Manassas, Virginia, displaying gallantry.
Charles Sancrainte. This private in the 15th Michigan (organized both at Ypsilanti and Detroit, Michigan) captured the flag of the 5th Texas during the battle of Atlanta.
Peter Sype. Serving with the 47th Ohio, he was in the same action as Ballen and Peters.
Dunkerly also profiles the heroic works of the 7th Michigan. Organized in Monroe, the 7th Michigan fought through the streets of Fredericksburg, Virginia prior to the main assault on December 13, 1862.
Tom Adamich is president of Visiting Librarian Service, a firm he has operated since 1993. He also is project archivist for the Greening Nursery Co. and Family Archives.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County history: Monroe's 8 Civil War Medal of Honor recipients
