John Gardner was the oldest of six children born to Elizabeth Bunting and Henry Gardner. Like all the Gardner children, he was born in Washtenaw County, MI, and moved to Livingston County with his family as a youngster.
John was a veteran of the Civil War having belonged to the 3rd Michigan Infantry, Company D, also known as "The Glorious Third." They mustered in Grand Rapids in 1861 and fought from the battle of First Bull Run to Appomattox. John's unit was in the infamous Peach Orchard at Gettysburg.
Here is a letter he wrote to one of his three brothers [we do not know which one]:
"Arlington Hights August 1, 1861
Dear Brother I thought I wouldn't write to you till I Got some where in the southern World I am 3 miles south of Washington City We started from Grand Rappids June 18 it took us 4 day and 2 nights to get here. Stade here 2 Weeks And the[n] went 50 miles south in Virginia to A place they call Bull run had a Hell of A fight 2 Day[s] And then run like Devils there was 9000th Rebels against 3000th Northern men But we will give them all they want yet I hope. They had a Battle last night and took about 50 wagons from us there is about 8000 Rebels in Baltimore trying to come this Way.
But let them come. We are prepared for them. Well that is all We can tell bought the fight But when I here the perticklers about it I will write to you.
I received a letter from Mother When I was in the Rappids And thought I wouldn't write till I got to Washington. they have got pics of the fight at the City and when I go down I will get a paper And send you one the wether is hot here they thrash wheat with treshing machines her[e]. I wish you would come out here just to see the country. Well I must close my letter for I can't think of any more.
Direct Washington
Co 3rd Regiment Michigan
Infantry John Gardner"
John wrote very cavalierly about the "Great Skedaddle" which was the retreat of the Union army following the first battle of Bull Run. He must have been very brave and very matter-of-fact.
This is the write-up about him written by the 3rd MI:
"John Gardner was born in Washtenaw County, Michigan, the son of Henry (b. 1812) and Elizabeth (b. 1811-1879).
"Canadian native Henry married English-born Elizabeth and immigrated to the United States [they immigrated first, then met and married] and eventually settled in Washtenaw County, Michigan where they were probably [sic, definitely] living in 1840. By 1850 Henry was working as a farmer and living with his wife and children in Putnam, Livingston County, where John, the oldest of seven [sic; six] children, attended school. By 1860 John was working as a miller [sic; occupations were not listed] for and/or living with William Reeves, a farm laborer in Boston [Twp] Ionia County. His mother and several siblings were still living in Putnam in 1860.
"John stood 5'6" with hazel eyes, black hair and a light complexion, and was 20 years old and probably still living in Ionia County when he enlisted in Company D on May 13, 1861 (and was possibly related to Oliver Gardner of Company G; Oliver's father was Canadian). John was reported as a company cook in July of 1862, as a water carrier in August, and he reenlisted on December 23, 1863 at Brandy Station, Virginia, crediting Boston, Ionia County. He probably returned home on veteran's furlough in January of 1864 and returned to the regiment by the end of January 1864.
"In February of 1864 John was reported to be 'taking care of public animals' probably at Brigade headquarters, and was still on detached service at Brigade headquarters when he was transferred to Company A, Fifth Michigan Infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864. He remained on detached service through July. In September of 1864 he was reported absent sick and he remained absent until he was discharged on June 13, 1865, at Harper Hospital in Detroit, for 'chronic diarrhea of one year's standing.'
"John listed Putnam, Livingston County as his mailing address on his discharge paper. He died shortly after coming home in 1865, and was buried in Sprout Cemetery, Putnam Township, Livingston County.
"No pension seems to be available.
"His mother and several siblings were living in Putnam in 1870, and by 1880 his father Henry was living in Putnam (listed as a single man), as were his brothers Henry and William."
The Brown Books say that John mustered out of Jeffersonville IN on July 5, 1865. He died sometime after his discharge in the summer of 1865 and before the new year of 1866.
John was a veteran of the Civil War having belonged to the 3rd Michigan Infantry, Company D, also known as "The Glorious Third." They mustered in Grand Rapids in 1861 and fought from the battle of First Bull Run to Appomattox. John's unit was in the infamous Peach Orchard at Gettysburg.
Here is a letter he wrote to one of his three brothers [we do not know which one]:
"Arlington Hights August 1, 1861
Dear Brother I thought I wouldn't write to you till I Got some where in the southern World I am 3 miles south of Washington City We started from Grand Rappids June 18 it took us 4 day and 2 nights to get here. Stade here 2 Weeks And the[n] went 50 miles south in Virginia to A place they call Bull run had a Hell of A fight 2 Day[s] And then run like Devils there was 9000th Rebels against 3000th Northern men But we will give them all they want yet I hope. They had a Battle last night and took about 50 wagons from us there is about 8000 Rebels in Baltimore trying to come this Way.
But let them come. We are prepared for them. Well that is all We can tell bought the fight But when I here the perticklers about it I will write to you.
I received a letter from Mother When I was in the Rappids And thought I wouldn't write till I got to Washington. they have got pics of the fight at the City and when I go down I will get a paper And send you one the wether is hot here they thrash wheat with treshing machines her[e]. I wish you would come out here just to see the country. Well I must close my letter for I can't think of any more.
Direct Washington
Co 3rd Regiment Michigan
Infantry John Gardner"
John wrote very cavalierly about the "Great Skedaddle" which was the retreat of the Union army following the first battle of Bull Run. He must have been very brave and very matter-of-fact.
This is the write-up about him written by the 3rd MI:
"John Gardner was born in Washtenaw County, Michigan, the son of Henry (b. 1812) and Elizabeth (b. 1811-1879).
"Canadian native Henry married English-born Elizabeth and immigrated to the United States [they immigrated first, then met and married] and eventually settled in Washtenaw County, Michigan where they were probably [sic, definitely] living in 1840. By 1850 Henry was working as a farmer and living with his wife and children in Putnam, Livingston County, where John, the oldest of seven [sic; six] children, attended school. By 1860 John was working as a miller [sic; occupations were not listed] for and/or living with William Reeves, a farm laborer in Boston [Twp] Ionia County. His mother and several siblings were still living in Putnam in 1860.
"John stood 5'6" with hazel eyes, black hair and a light complexion, and was 20 years old and probably still living in Ionia County when he enlisted in Company D on May 13, 1861 (and was possibly related to Oliver Gardner of Company G; Oliver's father was Canadian). John was reported as a company cook in July of 1862, as a water carrier in August, and he reenlisted on December 23, 1863 at Brandy Station, Virginia, crediting Boston, Ionia County. He probably returned home on veteran's furlough in January of 1864 and returned to the regiment by the end of January 1864.
"In February of 1864 John was reported to be 'taking care of public animals' probably at Brigade headquarters, and was still on detached service at Brigade headquarters when he was transferred to Company A, Fifth Michigan Infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864. He remained on detached service through July. In September of 1864 he was reported absent sick and he remained absent until he was discharged on June 13, 1865, at Harper Hospital in Detroit, for 'chronic diarrhea of one year's standing.'
"John listed Putnam, Livingston County as his mailing address on his discharge paper. He died shortly after coming home in 1865, and was buried in Sprout Cemetery, Putnam Township, Livingston County.
"No pension seems to be available.
"His mother and several siblings were living in Putnam in 1870, and by 1880 his father Henry was living in Putnam (listed as a single man), as were his brothers Henry and William."
The Brown Books say that John mustered out of Jeffersonville IN on July 5, 1865. He died sometime after his discharge in the summer of 1865 and before the new year of 1866.
John Gardner was the oldest of six children born to Elizabeth Bunting and Henry Gardner. Like all the Gardner children, he was born in Washtenaw County, MI, and moved to Livingston County with his family as a youngster.
John was a veteran of the Civil War having belonged to the 3rd Michigan Infantry, Company D, also known as "The Glorious Third." They mustered in Grand Rapids in 1861 and fought from the battle of First Bull Run to Appomattox. John's unit was in the infamous Peach Orchard at Gettysburg.
Here is a letter he wrote to one of his three brothers [we do not know which one]:
"Arlington Hights August 1, 1861
Dear Brother I thought I wouldn't write to you till I Got some where in the southern World I am 3 miles south of Washington City We started from Grand Rappids June 18 it took us 4 day and 2 nights to get here. Stade here 2 Weeks And the[n] went 50 miles south in Virginia to A place they call Bull run had a Hell of A fight 2 Day[s] And then run like Devils there was 9000th Rebels against 3000th Northern men But we will give them all they want yet I hope. They had a Battle last night and took about 50 wagons from us there is about 8000 Rebels in Baltimore trying to come this Way.
But let them come. We are prepared for them. Well that is all We can tell bought the fight But when I here the perticklers about it I will write to you.
I received a letter from Mother When I was in the Rappids And thought I wouldn't write till I got to Washington. they have got pics of the fight at the City and when I go down I will get a paper And send you one the wether is hot here they thrash wheat with treshing machines her[e]. I wish you would come out here just to see the country. Well I must close my letter for I can't think of any more.
Direct Washington
Co 3rd Regiment Michigan
Infantry John Gardner"
John wrote very cavalierly about the "Great Skedaddle" which was the retreat of the Union army following the first battle of Bull Run. He must have been very brave and very matter-of-fact.
This is the write-up about him written by the 3rd MI:
"John Gardner was born in Washtenaw County, Michigan, the son of Henry (b. 1812) and Elizabeth (b. 1811-1879).
"Canadian native Henry married English-born Elizabeth and immigrated to the United States [they immigrated first, then met and married] and eventually settled in Washtenaw County, Michigan where they were probably [sic, definitely] living in 1840. By 1850 Henry was working as a farmer and living with his wife and children in Putnam, Livingston County, where John, the oldest of seven [sic; six] children, attended school. By 1860 John was working as a miller [sic; occupations were not listed] for and/or living with William Reeves, a farm laborer in Boston [Twp] Ionia County. His mother and several siblings were still living in Putnam in 1860.
"John stood 5'6" with hazel eyes, black hair and a light complexion, and was 20 years old and probably still living in Ionia County when he enlisted in Company D on May 13, 1861 (and was possibly related to Oliver Gardner of Company G; Oliver's father was Canadian). John was reported as a company cook in July of 1862, as a water carrier in August, and he reenlisted on December 23, 1863 at Brandy Station, Virginia, crediting Boston, Ionia County. He probably returned home on veteran's furlough in January of 1864 and returned to the regiment by the end of January 1864.
"In February of 1864 John was reported to be 'taking care of public animals' probably at Brigade headquarters, and was still on detached service at Brigade headquarters when he was transferred to Company A, Fifth Michigan Infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864. He remained on detached service through July. In September of 1864 he was reported absent sick and he remained absent until he was discharged on June 13, 1865, at Harper Hospital in Detroit, for 'chronic diarrhea of one year's standing.'
"John listed Putnam, Livingston County as his mailing address on his discharge paper. He died shortly after coming home in 1865, and was buried in Sprout Cemetery, Putnam Township, Livingston County.
"No pension seems to be available.
"His mother and several siblings were living in Putnam in 1870, and by 1880 his father Henry was living in Putnam (listed as a single man), as were his brothers Henry and William."
The Brown Books say that John mustered out of Jeffersonville IN on July 5, 1865. He died sometime after his discharge in the summer of 1865 and before the new year of 1866.
John was a veteran of the Civil War having belonged to the 3rd Michigan Infantry, Company D, also known as "The Glorious Third." They mustered in Grand Rapids in 1861 and fought from the battle of First Bull Run to Appomattox. John's unit was in the infamous Peach Orchard at Gettysburg.
Here is a letter he wrote to one of his three brothers [we do not know which one]:
"Arlington Hights August 1, 1861
Dear Brother I thought I wouldn't write to you till I Got some where in the southern World I am 3 miles south of Washington City We started from Grand Rappids June 18 it took us 4 day and 2 nights to get here. Stade here 2 Weeks And the[n] went 50 miles south in Virginia to A place they call Bull run had a Hell of A fight 2 Day[s] And then run like Devils there was 9000th Rebels against 3000th Northern men But we will give them all they want yet I hope. They had a Battle last night and took about 50 wagons from us there is about 8000 Rebels in Baltimore trying to come this Way.
But let them come. We are prepared for them. Well that is all We can tell bought the fight But when I here the perticklers about it I will write to you.
I received a letter from Mother When I was in the Rappids And thought I wouldn't write till I got to Washington. they have got pics of the fight at the City and when I go down I will get a paper And send you one the wether is hot here they thrash wheat with treshing machines her[e]. I wish you would come out here just to see the country. Well I must close my letter for I can't think of any more.
Direct Washington
Co 3rd Regiment Michigan
Infantry John Gardner"
John wrote very cavalierly about the "Great Skedaddle" which was the retreat of the Union army following the first battle of Bull Run. He must have been very brave and very matter-of-fact.
This is the write-up about him written by the 3rd MI:
"John Gardner was born in Washtenaw County, Michigan, the son of Henry (b. 1812) and Elizabeth (b. 1811-1879).
"Canadian native Henry married English-born Elizabeth and immigrated to the United States [they immigrated first, then met and married] and eventually settled in Washtenaw County, Michigan where they were probably [sic, definitely] living in 1840. By 1850 Henry was working as a farmer and living with his wife and children in Putnam, Livingston County, where John, the oldest of seven [sic; six] children, attended school. By 1860 John was working as a miller [sic; occupations were not listed] for and/or living with William Reeves, a farm laborer in Boston [Twp] Ionia County. His mother and several siblings were still living in Putnam in 1860.
"John stood 5'6" with hazel eyes, black hair and a light complexion, and was 20 years old and probably still living in Ionia County when he enlisted in Company D on May 13, 1861 (and was possibly related to Oliver Gardner of Company G; Oliver's father was Canadian). John was reported as a company cook in July of 1862, as a water carrier in August, and he reenlisted on December 23, 1863 at Brandy Station, Virginia, crediting Boston, Ionia County. He probably returned home on veteran's furlough in January of 1864 and returned to the regiment by the end of January 1864.
"In February of 1864 John was reported to be 'taking care of public animals' probably at Brigade headquarters, and was still on detached service at Brigade headquarters when he was transferred to Company A, Fifth Michigan Infantry upon consolidation of the Third and Fifth Michigan Regiments on June 10, 1864. He remained on detached service through July. In September of 1864 he was reported absent sick and he remained absent until he was discharged on June 13, 1865, at Harper Hospital in Detroit, for 'chronic diarrhea of one year's standing.'
"John listed Putnam, Livingston County as his mailing address on his discharge paper. He died shortly after coming home in 1865, and was buried in Sprout Cemetery, Putnam Township, Livingston County.
"No pension seems to be available.
"His mother and several siblings were living in Putnam in 1870, and by 1880 his father Henry was living in Putnam (listed as a single man), as were his brothers Henry and William."
The Brown Books say that John mustered out of Jeffersonville IN on July 5, 1865. He died sometime after his discharge in the summer of 1865 and before the new year of 1866.
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