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Old Third Michigan Association collection

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 201

Scope and Contents

The collection contains minutes, constitutions, treasurer’s book and correspondence about upcoming reunions concerning the Old Third Michigan Association, 1870-1927, n.d. Also in the collection is a regiment roster, and photographs of men who served in the Third Michigan Infantry during the Civil War. Of special interest are the “Civil War Letters” by Charles H. Church, published in 1987 and a “History of the Old Third Michigan Infantry” written by Steve Soper, 1996. A photocopy of an unidentified newspaper article from 1861 lists the officers of the unit.

Dates

  • 1862-1996, n.d.

Biographical / Historical

The Third Michigan Infantry left Grand Rapids June 13, 1861 bound for Detroit, and ultimately Washington, D.C. This Civil War unit saw its first action at Blackburns’ Ford on July 18, 1861 and covered the retreat of the federal troops from Bull Run on July 21. The regiment participated in McClellan’s Peninsular campaign, 1862 and suffered its worst casualties at Fair Oaks, Virginia on May 31, 1862, and at Groveton on August 29, 1862. The next major action for the regiment was at Chancellorsville, Virginia on May 3, 1863, followed by Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, May 5-6, 1864 at the Wilderness and on May 11-12, 1856 at Spotsylvania Court House. The Third ended its military service at Petersburg, Virginia, on June 10, 1864.

Following the war, members of the unit met in annual reunions. This collections documents those reunions.

Extent

0.63 Linear Feet (Two boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Old Third Michigan Association was a veteran's reunion group for the Third Michigan Infantry, which served in the Civil War. This collection contains original documents relating to the association and their annual reunions, including minutes, constitutions, a treasurer's book and correspondence. Also included in the collection are a regimental roster, a few photographs of men who served and reference materials compiled for the study of the Old Third Michigan Association.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Old Third Michigan Association, 1927; accession number 00.000 (Old collection T1:BH12.1-5)

Related Materials

See also Collection 242, the GRPL Civil War Documents Collections

Title
Finding aid for the Old Third Michigan Association collection
Status
Completed
Author
Michael Hoffman
Date
1993
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497