| "It is not merely for today, but for all time to come that we should perpetuate for our children's children this great and free government, which we have enjoyed all our lives." |  |
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 | On March 13, 1865, with the main Rebel armies facing long odds against must larger Union armies,the Confederacy, in a desperate measure,reluctantly approves the use of black troops. The situation was bleak for the Confederates in the spring of 1865. The Yankees had captured large swaths of Southern territory, General William T. Sherman’s Union army was tearing through the Carolinas, and General Robert E. Lee was trying valiantly to hold the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia,against General Ulysses S. Grant’s growing force. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis had only two options. One was for Lee to unite with General Joseph Johnston’s army in the Carolinas and use the combined force to take on Sherman and Grant one at a time. The other option was to arm slaves, the last source of fresh manpower in the Confederacy. |
| The idea of enlisting blacks had been debated for some time. Arming slaves was essentially a way of setting them free, since they could not realistically be sent back to plantations after they had fought. General Patrick Cleburne had suggested enlisting slaves a year before, but few in the Confederate leadership considered the proposal, since slavery was the foundation of Southern society. One politician asked, “What did we go to war for, if not to protect our property?” Another suggested, “If slaves will make good soldiers, our whole theory of slavery is wrong.” Lee weighed in on the issue and asked the Confederate government for help. “We must decide whether slavery shall be extinguished by our enemies and the slaves be used against us, or use them ourselves.” Lee asked that the slaves be freed as a condition of fighting, but the bill that passed the Confederate Congress on March 13, 1865,did not stipulate freedom for those who served. The measure did nothing to stop the destruction of the Confederacy. Several thousand blacks were enlisted in the Rebel cause, but they could not begin to balance out the nearly 200,000 blacks who fought for the Union. |
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 Burton Historical Collection,Detroit Public Library |
James Vernor was born in New York and moved to Detroit at the age of 15. He worked as an errand boy for Higby & Stearns drug store. On august 14, 1862, the age of 19, he enlisted in the 4th Michigan Cavalry as a hospital steward for three years. He was 19 years old at the time. He mustered August 29th. In January of 1983 he was captured and paroled. On September 20, 1864 he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of Company M. He remained with the unit and mustered out July 1, 1865. After his return to Detroit, he opened a drug store with Charles L'Hommedieu. Five years later, after buying out his partners share, he was the sole proprietor. Before joining the army he was working on a new formula for ginger ale. In 1868 he started selling that as a sideline to his drug store business. By 1870 that business was taking up most of his time, and the ginger ale, Vernor's, is how he made his fortune. |
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Below is an example of one of those.
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 Tour Group visit the G.A.R. Museum. The group enjoyed coffee and cookies while touring the museum and ask many questions about the items on display. It was a great day enjoyed by all and we hope they all tell their friends about the museum and come back to visit often.
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Ron Tyrl PPC
The March 12, 2018 meeting of the Austin Blair Camp No.7 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was held at the American Legion Post 29, Jackson, Michigan.
Members in attendance were Brothers: Bob Griggs, Henry Hawker, Kim Horning, Dave Kimble, Howard Lloyd, Mike Maillard, Raymond Rowley, Nathan Tingley, Ron Tyrl, Dave Van Hoof, Charlie Waters III.
Commander Kimble welcomed all and the Secretary's report was requested and was motioned accepted as published in the Courier by Brother Tingley and seconded by Brother Griggs, motion passed.
The Treasurer's Report was motioned accepted as presented by Brother Griggs seconded by Brother Rowley, motion passed. Treasurer Maillard briefed on the form 990 "Tax Exempt" that will be sent to the Dept. Treasurer as the filling process now.
1. Brother Hawker reported on the Grass Lake, Michigan War Museum's Confederate Flag day event. Discussion was also done on the huge Confederate Flag north of Montgomery, Alabama off Interstate 65 on private property.
1. Brother Waters reported that the headstone for the Maple Grove Cemetery in Grass Lake internee Charles McDole continues to be followed-up on. Charles McDole served in the 20th Michigan and 2nd Michigan Infantry Regiments and was wounded at Spotsylvania and discharged and died in 1868.
1. Brother Griggs has also up-dated website and Facebook pages to date.
1. National's finalizing Camp, Department and National By-Laws by April 2019.
1. The Camp tent grommet tear at front left corner is on Auxiliary Connie Horning's agenda.
1. Brother Griggs announced that the GAR program on the "Worst Colonel Quinn" of the 12th Michigan program is next Tuesday at 7pm.
1. March 17-18, Sat-Sun, Kalamazoo Living History Show, 9-5pm & Brother Doyle's Memorial service Saturday March 17th. Commander Dave Kimble closed the meeting at 8:05pm and our next camp meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 9, 2018 to be held at Post 29 American Legion.
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Please click here to see our upcoming events.
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Johnny Lincoln Clem 22nd Michigan.
Eaton County Battalion Encampment badge 1906.