Michael McDonald's Civil War Experience

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Michael McDonald photo taken in Vicksburg, 1863

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, I would like to honor my great-great grandfather Michael McDonald in a series of blogs including his written accounts of his Civil War experiences.     

The year was 1861.  Barely 16 years-old, "Mike" McDonald tramped down the beach from his Algoma home to Manitowoc to get a chance to enlist with Sloggy, Bill Fagg, the Perry boys and others in the "Manitowoc and Wolf River Rifles."  On October 8, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company E, 14th Wisconsin Infantry.  Four long years later, he mustered out at the close of the war, October 9, 1865.

Michael McDonald served valiantly in Company E at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta, and all the way down to the sea with Sherman.  One of the most successful of "Sherman’s bummers," he told tales of keeping the commissary of Company E well supplied with the delicacies of "Dixie."  He also shared harrowing stories of illnesses and near death experiences including the time, in the closing days of the war, when he was made a prisoner and confined in the Salisbury prison pen.

Join me as I share his Civil War experiences.

Michael McDonald's Civil War Discharge

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