Note: For the purposes of this blog, I will begin the history of the Michigan 9th Volunteer Infantry with Private Hiller's enlistment until his discharge. For complete perspective on the regiment please see any of the links below for service from November 1861-December 1863.
Christian Hiller in Civil War Union uniform, circa 1865. Photo courtesy of Michigan Hiller Family.
Christian Hiller began his Civil War military career enlisting for 3 years in the Michigan 9th Volunteer Infantry on February 8, 1864 in Lake Odessa, Michigan. Each company in the regiment was supplied with men from the same one or two counties (3 companies had 2 counties each) in Michigan with Christian being assigned to Company H from Ionia County. In all, it was armed with soldiers from Macomb, Berrien, Jackson, Ionia, Wayne, Calhoun, Branch, Cass, Shiawassee, and Livingston Counties. Considering the conflicting resources I have read, the Regiment left Coldwater on either February 10 or 20 (more likely February 10) under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Wilkinson. Previously, the 9th had returned in January from Chattanooga where the Regiment was veteranized, 306 of these men re-enlisted. After a 30 day furlough and the addition of about 200 newly enlisted men (one being Christian) they headed to their prior post in Chattanooga receiving their orders from General Thomas.
Detroit Free Press, February 24, 1864
The newly re-formed 9th was off to a rocky start, however. As the Regiment's train neared Lafayette, Indiana, it ran off the track demolishing four cars and then just 25 miles later south of Indianapolis the train derailed a second time with 8 cars being smashed or tipped over "but fortunately not a man was hurt"(1).
On February 29, under the command of General George H. Thomas' Army of the Cumberland, the Regiment reported to Chattanooga and resumed provost duty (military police of the Union army) for the General as well as his headquarters as they began the Georgia Campaign (also known as the Atlanta Campaign). The following is a quote from the book "Michigan In The War" (link below)
"The 9th Infantry during a large portion of its service was the trusted body guard of General Thomas and provost guard of the Army of the Cumberland, receiving his entire confidence for courage and fidelity in the discharge of duty. Compliments coming from such a service gives the regiment an endorsement scarcely equaled by that of any other regiment".
Quick history refresher here: The Atlanta Campaign was fought between May and September, 1864 in northwest Georgia as a series of battles ending in Union troops taking Atlanta. When Atlanta fell on September 2, General William Tecumseh Sherman would continue his push, leaving Atlanta on November 15 in what is now famously known as "Sherman's March to the Sea".
Atlanta Campaign showingmovements of General Thomas and the Michigan 9th while under his command. Taken from Wikipedia page on "Atlanta Campaign" (link below).
As well as being tasked as provost guard, the regiment's other responsibility was prisoner (rebel soldier) transport on the field and on trains to the north bound for military prisons. Significant battles between Chattanooga and Atlanta were:
May 8, Rocky Face, Georgia "Battle of Rocky Face Ridge"
May 14, Resaca, Georgia "Battle of Resaca"
May 27, Dallas, Georgia "Battle of Dallas"
June 25, Kenesaw, Georgia "Battle of Kenesaw Mountain"
July 5-6, Chattahoochee River, Georgia "Skirmish at Pace's Ferry"
July 22-August 25, Atlanta, Georgia "Siege of Atlanta"
September 1, Jonesboro, Georgia "Battle of Jonesboro"
While researching for this topic and with regards to the Siege of Atlanta, the following extract is the only time I found reference to Company H:
"One day during the siege the headquarters camp was so near thhe front that the rebel sharp shooters and artillery recognized it as of some headquarters and directed a fire on it. Private James Quinn, Company H, was wounded so that he died September 18. General Thomas directed that the camp be moved to one side out of range of rebel fire"(2).
Worthwhile to mention here, considering the Veteran's Schedule from Ancestry.com it appears Christian sustained damage to his hearing and eyes during his time in the war.
Christian Hiller, line 6, on both schedules.
Interesting side note, Christian's post office address is listed as "Rosina" which I have never heard. Curiousity raised, a Google search resulted. Apparently, Rosina Post Office underwent a number of name changes-Richmond Corners and Lake City, and finally by 1890 when the Veteran's Schedule was taken, Rosina. The map name for this small area/community was called Woodbury which I have heard of and exactly where Christian lived.
Next Month...
1. What happened to the 9th after the Seige of Atlanta.
2. Hopefully, fingers crossed, more detailed accounts from the National Archive of Christian's personal military history.
3. Find of where Christian was when he heard the news of President Lincoln's assassination.
References and Footnotes
1, 2