The papers provide much first hand information about the 3rd Michigan Cavalry, Company G, in Alliton’s numerous letters to Dora and in his three diaries,1860-1865. Additional general information about the Civil War is found in the newspaper clipping and the GAR materials and photograph, 1865-1916. There are also a few letters to Dora from her sister, Nettie, 1872-1876. The collection is completed by Biographical Materials, including a Bible and family photographs.
Biography:
Silas H. Alliton was the second of five children born to Michael and Cynthia (Shipman) Alliton. On September 20, 1861, he enlisted in the 3rd Michigan Cavalry, Company G. He was mustered on October 14, 1861. On January 19, 1864, he re-enlisted and was mustered eight days later. In 1865, Alliton earned the rank of Sergeant. That same year, his unit was sent to San Antonio (Texas) to restore peace. In December 1865, the entire unit, except Silas, mutinied. Later, some 8 to 10 soldiers were court-martialed. Silas was finally mustered out on February 12, 1865.
After the war, Silas returned to Corunna, Michigan, and married his wartime correspondent and girlfriend, schoolteacher Dora (Eudora K.) Knight on October 7, 1866. They had at least two children, Art and Neva.
Silas was a member of L. B. Quackenbush Post 205, Michigan Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), in Owosso, Michigan. Silas died in 1916. [This information is from the regimental history and the collection.]
Two other soldiers who appear in the papers are Henry R. Wallace and Lt. Shipman.
Henry R. Wallace, a friend of Dora’s, enlisted in Company B, Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, on September 19, 1861 at age 28. He was mustered on October 29, 1864 and discharged two days later at the end of his service in Atlanta, Georgia. He was an artificer (a soldier mechanic).
Lt. Shipman, probably Alliton’s cousin, Seymour, was from Whitmore Lake, Michigan. He enlisted in the 3rd Michigan Cavalry, Company G. as a First Sergeant on September 14, 1861, at age 33 and was mustered out on October 14, 1861. Shipman was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the Michigan 6th Cavalry, Company D at its organization on October 13, 1862 and had been mustered two days earlier. He was wounded on July 2, 1863 at Hunterstown, Pennsylvania. He was honorably discharged on July 5, 1864 as a result of his injuries. (Most of this information is from the collection and regimental histories)
