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United States Army 32nd Michigan Infantry Company H papers

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 005

Scope and Contents

Contains a scrapbook of newspaper clippings of the company activities during 1895 and 1896. The units federal service in 1898 is documented through payroll records, mustering in and mustering out records, correspondence, vouchers, furlough and expenditures kept by Captain Covell. The payroll records contain name, rank, enlistment date, and pay data.

The bulk of the reunion material appears to have been collected by John Schouten, and consists of correspondence about the annual reunions and missing or deceased members. Also included are some financial records of the reunions and a handful of photographs.

Dates

  • 1895-1971

History

Company H was part of the 32nd Michigan Infantry National Guard Unit. In May 1898 the company was mustered into federal service. Due to U.S. War Department mismanagement, the unit suffered from numerous transportation problems and was only able to get as far as Tampa, Florida by the time hostilities in Cuba ended. The unit mustered out of federal service in October 1898.

The unit’s members began holding annual reunions in 1908. During the late 1930s and 1940s John Schouten took charge of organizing these reunions.

For biographical information on donor & unit member John Schouten, see Coll. 090.

Extent

1.3 Linear Feet (Two boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The United States Army 32nd Michigan Infantry Company H Papers include records, correspondence, and other documents of this unit, which was part of the National Guard. Research indicates that the unit was mobilized in May 1898 during the Spanish-American War, but due to transportation problems never got to the action and was mustered out in October of that same year.

The Company's membership resided primarily in Grand Rapids, Michigan and began holding reunions in 1908. Papers of the annual reunions during the 1940s are also included.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession Numbers: 1984.004, 1986.193; Donor: John Schouten

Related Materials

Coll. 090. John H. Schouten Photograph Collection, and including Michigan National Guard / Custer Guard documents.

Source

Title
Finding aid for the 32nd Michigan Infantry, Company H papers
Status
Completed
Date
July 1990
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

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