1st Michigan Cavalry

Alfred LePelley was born September 1839 in St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, Great Britain. He immigrated as a child with his family around 1847 and settled in New York first, than by 1850 the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. As an adult, Alfred was 5’8” tall, had blue eyes, dark hair, and a light complexion. His native language was French. His occupation was carpenter. At age 22 on August 23, 1861, Alfred enlisted as a Private, at Marquette, Michigan in Captain Town’s 1st Regiment, Company B, Michigan Cavalry. He fought for the Union forces and was detailed often as a carpenter and as a stonemason. From January 1862 to at least June 1862, Alfred was detached and was on duty as a Body Guard to Major General Banks. Alfred was captured after a battle near Culpepper, Virginia, on August 25, 1862. He was confined at Richmond, Virginia on August 29th, and paroled on September 13, 1862, in “Aikens Ldg”, Virginia. Alfred served in the Cavalry for 3 years, until August 24, 1864. He returned to Cleveland, Ohio after the war, married twice, and had 4 children.

Chester enlisted 17 Sept 1861; discharged 15 April 1863

Wounded at 2nd battle of Winchester on September 19, 1864. Died from those wounds at field hospital in Maryland on November 12, 1864. GAR post 300 in Marquette, MI named for him. Buried in Park Cemetery in Marquette.

Brother of Stephen and Cyrus Bitely of the 12th MI Inf. enlisted as blacksmith, mustered out as Veterinary Sergeon

James enlisted as Quartermaster Sergeant on 7 October, 1861 in Adrian, Lenawee County at age 28 [b 1833]. He was mustered into Company F., 1st regiment of US Lancers, Michigan Cavalry on 27 December, 1861. Mustered out on 20 March, 1862 in Detroit, MI. Organization of the First US Lancers began in Detroit, Michigan on November 30, 1861. The Unit was a small number being organized at that time which intended to be attached to the regular army rather than credited to any state. Although a number of these regiments were organized and some served as US regiments, none remained with the national designation for along and all were eventually credited to various states. However, due to the large number of Canadian recruits, Britain protested and the War Department ordered the regiment to be disbanded. All recruiting for the regiment was halted on Feb 20, 1862. Those members of the regiment already mustered into service were mustered out on March 20, 1862 and the regiment ceased to exist.

He died at Mower Hospital, PA of disease. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth. Died: 26 Jan 1865 Burial: Briggs (Union) Cemetery.

No family notes have been added.

How do I find out his rank?

Henry Griffin was an immigrant from Devonshire, England. He came over in 1862, and was a Butcher by profession. I'm not sure why he enlisted, much less in the elite cavalry. He was wounded at second manassas, and taken as prisoner to Lee's cavalry camp. He was then moved to Camp Parole, Md., where he was ultimately exchanged. He brought his girlfriend from Devonshire over, and he and Emily Beatrice Rolston were married in 1865. He was somewhat of a vagabond, and owned farms around Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, and Canada East. He ultimately became a contractor in London, Ontario, Canada, and that's where he and his bride are buried in Woodlawn cemetery.

Enlisted as a Private on 26 August 1861 at the age of 20. Mustered in Company K, 1st Cavalry Regiment Michigan on 26 September 1861. Wounded and captured at Bull Run, VA on 30 August 1862. Returned to regiment on 17 November 1862. Wounded at Gettysburg, PA on 3 July 1863. Returned to regiment on 9 October 1863. Mustered out on 16 September 1864 at Detroit, MI.

Alphonzo enlisted on 8/12/61 as a Corporal in the 1st Michigan Cavalry at Almont, Michigan. He was promoted to Sergeant on July 1, 1862. In the Battle of Falling Waters on July 4, 1863, he captured the colors of the 47th Virginia along with prisoners. In 1863, the 1st joined the 5th, 6th, and 7th Michigan Cavalry units to form the Michigan Wolverines under Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. Alphonzo re-enlisted in January of 1864 at Camp Stoneman, Virginia. He was killed in action in the Battle of Yellow Tavern on May 11, 1864. His body rests in Virginia probably near the J.E.B. Stuart monument at the site of the Yellow Tavern Battle.