IMPORTANT REQUEST ! This soldier's grave is without a headstone. He is entitled to a free military marker through the Veteran's Administration. Unfortunately the VA has begun enforcing a shameful policy that ONLY allows the descendants of a soldier to apply for the headstone, thereby excluding cemetery officials, historians, and the Sons of Union Veterans organization, which were previously allowed to correct these injustices when the next of kin were unavailable. Due to this insensitive requirement, I am now searching for those descendants of this soldier who would like to assist me in giving him his due recognition from the government for which he served as a soldier in the Civil War. Please contact me through the "edit" and then the "suggest a correction" links on this memorial. Thank you.

*******************************

Melancthon Millard enlisted as a Private in Company G of the Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry on February 24, 1862, for 3 years service. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company B but resigned on October 23, 1862. Melancthon enlisted in Company D of the Reorganized Fourth Michigan Infantry on September 3, 1864, for 3 years service and was promoted to Sergeant on October 13, 1864. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company D on November 21, 1864, and later commissioned as First Lieutenant of Company I on October 24, 1865. He mustered out of service and was honorably discharged on February 11, 1866.

Sources: " Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War 1861-1865, vol. 4", also known as the "Brown Book" and personal research from the soldier's Compiled Military Service Records and Pension Application file from the National Archives.

For further information on the Fourth Michigan Infantry, copy this link into your browser and press enter: www.4thmichigan.wordpress.com