19th Michigan Infantry

James S. Crego was my great-great grandfather. He was just shy of his fortieth birthday when he enlisted in August of 1862, was captured at Thompson's Station and briefly in Libby Prison, and served for the duration of the war. He was the father of six children ranging in age from seven months to twelve years old at the time of his enlistment. I can't imagine how his wife Mary Ann Catherine (Nash) Crego survived in his absence! James eventually died in the Soldier's Home in Grand Rapids, MI in 1894. James'extended family contributed many soldiers to the cause including his brother Hilance Crego (Private in CO E, 13th MI Infantry), his nephew Aaron Crego (CO D, 28th MI Infantry), nephew George Knights (Captain,Co A, 1st MI Sharpshooters, nephew Andrew Knights (Sgt in CO. C, 20th MI Infantry), cousin Horace Gallup (chaplain to 17th MI Infantry, and cousin Horace Gallup (Corp in CO C, 9th MI Infantry). I have often wondered if having all these close family members sign up motivated James to do so despite his age and heavy family responsibilities.

No family notes have been added.

John Shidler served in the 19th Michigan Infantry, Company A. He served with his son, Robert Shidler. John died as a POW at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia on April 10, 1863.

Robert served in the 19th Michigan Infantry, Company A. He served with his father John Shidler who died as a POW at Richmond, Virginia on April 10, 1863.

Mark Smith was my Great Grandfathers brother. He is buried in West Prarie Cemetary near Girard Michigan. The family still owns the farm where Mark lived though Mark may have lived in Allegan County for a time after his service.

Was twice a POW. Captured with the entire brigade at Thompson''s Station, TN, after exhausting all ammunition. At Libby Prison for about one month. Next capture included members of his company guarding Stone''s River bridge.

Says James Prouty enlisted on Aug 19, 1862. His unit was assigned to the 20th Corps. He was wounded at the battle of Resaca,Ga in May 15, 1864. He was discharged June 9th, 1865.

Would like any info on his time with the 19th Michigan. He died at the battle of Resaca, Georgia, May 15th 1864 and his place of burial is unknown. Would be especially interested if he was mentioned in any letters written home by others in the 19th.

Jonathan was a brother to my great-great grandfather, Simon Foster. Jonathan served in the 19th Michigan Infantry and Simon in the 13th. They have somewhat similar experiences in that both regiments served in the Western Front, both were in Sherman''s March to the Sea and both were captured. Jonathan was captured at Thompson''s Station March 5, 1863 and Simon captured near Milledgeville, GA on or about 24 November, 1864 while with Sherman''s Army. Both were sent to Richmond prisons, Jonathan was paroled after a short time as prisoner and Simon was in prison for about three months. They both survived and lived to age 75.

John Willard Kingston served from 1862-1865. I am a bit unsure of his service in Tennessee, other than they were rebuilding the RR to Chattanooga. I know he feared joining the 4th Army Corps and being transferred to Virginia - practically a death sentence, and that he was relieved to stay with the 20th Corps despite the uncertainty of Sherman's Georgia campaign. Kingston visited the Statehouse in Milledgeville as part of Sherman's campaign. (Anyone familiar with Lee Kennett's 'Marching Through Georgia'?) I am interested in gathering information about the 19th Mich Inf involvement in the Carolinas as well as the Grand Review in Washington.

He was captured just north of Atlanta and sent to Andersonville Prison in May of 1864. Released February 1865.

Born 1843 in Branch Co., Michigan, son of Solomon and Lydia (Warner)White. Enlisted as a member of Company H, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry. He served until June 10, 1865, nearly three years, and was promoted to the rank of corporal and acted as clerk of his company. In the battle of New Hope Church in the Atlanta campaign he was wounded and was then taken to a hospital at Nashville, Tennessee. He was taken prisoner at Thompson's Station, Tennessee, March 5, 1863, and confined for a time in Libby prison. After becoming convalescent, he was transferred to the convalescent camp at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and acted as clerk for Colonel Smith, who was in command of the camp. Later he returned to his company, which at that time was at Atlanta, and went with general Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. He died 30 Aug. 1905,in Coldwater, Michigan. Buried in Oak Grove cemetery, Coldwater, Branch Co., Michigan.

No family notes have been added.

Please contact me if you have any info regarding James Y. Law who was married to Narcissa. I am their grand-daughter.