Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

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PIONEER HISTORY OF INGHIIA COUNTY

The best year of my life, or the one to which I look back with
the most satisfaction, was the one I spent in the Union army during
the Civil War.
I was a member of Co. C, 8th Michigan Cavalry. My command
was on the move most of the time, which suited me. We had an
occasional brush with the enemy, which suited me also. I was
on duty every day during my term of service. I never reported
at sick call, had no occasion to. I did not see the inside of a hospital, field or elsewhere, while in the army, there being no occasion
for that either. I obeyed every order given me, as far as I know,
except one. Conditions at a certain time became very much
mixed, Union soldiers and rebels were everywhere. A Confederate colonel rode up and in a stentorian voice ordered several of
us to surrender. This was a new command and one in which we
had not drilled. We simply put the spurs to our horses. The
prompt action of a nearby comrade prevented the officer from
giving further orders to Union soldiers.
I enlisted on the 26th day of August, 1864, was discharged the
6th of June, 1865. There were eight young men from this and
nearby neighborhoods who enlisted at the same time. A short
time and two had found a resting place in Southern cemeteries.
Most of the duties I had to perform were pleasant ones, but being
detailed to march with trailing arms and to fire a volley over the
grave of a departed comrade, was to me extremely sad.
PIONEER NOTES.
By W. M. WEBB, Aurelius, 1920.
The historic page with scenes and events of other days recorded
gives one a chance to compare present conditions with those of
long ago, and the longer the space lying between the more interesting the comparison, and to look back through three-fourths of a
century there are but a few things that do not mark so great a
change that they seem wonderful when compared with present
conditions.
Oft in my musing from memory I recall things of long ago and
place by the side of the new, as splint broom with carpet sweeper;