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13th Michigan Light Artillery
1864-1865
A regiment of light artillery being limited to twelve batteries,
in organizing additional
batteries it became necessary to give them a particular
designation, hence, the two batteries
that were raised after the formation of the twelve batteries
composing the 1st. Michigan Regiment
of Light Artillery, were designated as the Thirteenth and
Fourteenth Michigan Batteries.The Thirteenth Battery was organized at Grand Rapids and was mustered into the service of the United States on the 20th. of January, 1864. The designated officers were: Captain Callahan H.O. Riordan, of Detroit. First Lieutenant Cuthburt W. Laing, Detroit. First Lieutenant Charles Dupont, Detroit. Second Lieutenant George D. Jewett, Grand Rapids and Second Lieutenant Richard C. Wetherald, of Flint. They left Grand Rapids February 3rd., under the command of Captain Riordan, reporting for duty at Washington on the 7th. of that month. They went into camp near Washington, where they perfected themselves in drill, until the 14th. of May. They were then ordered to Fort Slemmer, Washington. During the remainder of the year the Battery was stationed at that fort, in addition to other fortifications in the neighborhood. On the 11th. and 12th. of July, 1864, under the command of Captain Dupont, they assisted in the defence of Fort Stevens against the attack of the Confederate General Early's forces.
On the 1st. of November, 1864, the Battery was still stationed in the fortifications of Washington, being attached to Harnden's Division, 2nd. Corp. and was primarily stationed at Fort Reno, until February 27, 1865, when they were mounted as cavalry, then detailed for duty in Maryland, assisting the 13th. New York Cavalry, in suppressing guerrillas, and otherwise maintaining peace in that section of the country.
Immediately after the assassination of President Lincoln, they were on duty with the regiment referred to in Maryland and Pennsylvania, following up on the parties who had engaged in the conspiracy against he President and his cabinet, and assisted in the arrest of Harold and Mudd, two of the conspirators. The Battery was dismounted June 16th., and again was ordered to garrison duty in Fort Reno, where they remained until the 19th., when they left for Michigan, arriving at Jackson on the 22nd. Where they were mustered out of service on the 1st. of July, then were paid off and disbanded.
1864-1865 Total Enrollment..........257 Died of Disease............13 Total Casualty Rate.........5%
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