Great-grandfather of Marie Velting

Full Sergt     Co. L    5th MI Cavalry
Dates of Service: 22 Aug 1862 - 23 Jun 1865

According to War Department Records, my great-grandfather, Alonzo Haskins, enlisted in Co. L of the 5th Michigan Cavalry August 22, 1862, in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. He was mustered in September 2, 1862, at Detroit, where he was made Corporal. He was promoted to Sergeant February 4, 1864. 

Alonzo had his own horse shot from under him June 11, 1864. He was never reimbursed for his loss as records prove. Sergeant Haskins was shot in the right hand at a battle near Salem, West Virginia, also known as the battle of Hawes' Shop. His bones were set and he returned to duty.

The Civil War "Brown Book" at the Grand Rapids Public Library, tells of all the horrible battles the 5th Michigan Cavalry were involved in, from the first attempt at Petersburg to Appomattox. Most of them were horrendous!

Imagine fighting in the Wilderness surrounded by fire and not knowing if the men near you were friend or foe or fighting off Jeb Stuart's Cavalry at Gettysburg. Our Cavalry kept the South from attacking our troops from the rear.

The Michigan History Civil War Edition claims the 5th Michigan Cavalry was involved in the only battle in the Civil War that had 20,000 horsemen fighting each other without aid from other units. It happened near Brandy Station, VA. June 9th, 1863.

Sergeant Haskins was among the unlucky cavalry units under General Custer that were sent directly to Fort Leavenworth to fight the Indians immediately after the Civil War without being allowed to come home first. I find that disgusting!

After seven letters to the President from the governor of Michigan, those of the 5th, 6th and 7th Michigan Cavalry, who had served more than their three years, were allowed to come home (without their horses.) SOURCE: Michigan History Civil War ed. 

Family history indicates that Alonzo was born in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada in 1837. The family moved to Michigan that same year. His mother's name was Louisa Wyman. His father's name was Ebenezer. 

My great-grandfather married Evia Overacker on October 29, 1865. They had two sons, Edward and Alonzo Jr.  Edward married twice, but had no children. Alonzo had four children: Ethel, Roy (my father), Russell and Donald, from whom came a very large extended family.

Our Civil War Veteran died one month after his last son was born February 24th, 1868. He is buried in Grand Prairie Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

GRAVESITE: Grand Prairie Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Written by Marie Velting, June 2005