Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
The subject of this sketch is but a generation removed from the old first settler. Horation J. Bond is a product of the Wolverine State, having been born in Rome, Lenawee county, May 1, 1842. His parents were natives of the Empire State and came to Michigan in the year 1838 and settled in Lenawee county. His father was a carpenter and followed his trade through life. H. J. was an only child, and he had the misfortune of having been bereft of his mother when but a babe of one year -- an irreparable loss. His early education was acquired in the district schools of his native town. While yet in his teens, a mere boy, the telegraph flashed the news across the country that Fort Sumter had been fired upon, and the civil war had been declared. This portentious news, although apprehended by many, created the most intense excitement; business was nearly suspended. President Lincoln issued a call for seventy-five thousand volunteers for three months. Michigan's quota was one regiment only, which within a few days, under the leadership of the gallant Col. O. B. Wilcox, was on its way to the seat of war. Everywhere throughout the north, preparations were being made to loyally support the administration and the cause of the union. The nineth days for which the first troops were enlisted, were drawing to a close, only one great battle had been fought, that of the first Bull Run, in which the enemy were victorious, hurling the union forces back within the defenses of Washington in a confused mass. Then came the call for three hundred thousand men for three years, or during the war. It was under this call that Gov. Blair was authorized to recurit the third Michigan cavalry, and it was this call that appealed to the loyal pride of the young Bond, and he pushed aside all the ambitions of life and enrolled himself as a private soldier in the ranks of Co. E of the Third Michigan Cavalry. This regiment was rendezvoused at Grand Rapids and was mustered into service November 1, 1861, having upon its rolls one thousand one hundred and sixty-three officers and men, and on the twenty-eighth of the same month, commanded by Lieut. Col. R. H. G. Minty of Detroit, left the State under orders for St. Louis, Mo. Its first engagement was New Madrid, March 13, following.
It is a matter of record that in the first engagement, the third cavalry "gave the traitors a lively idea of what Michigan cavalry were composed of, and what they might expect of them in the future." The siege of Island No. Ten followed and was maintained until April 30 when it surrendered. The regiment having been assigned to the command of Gen. Pope, marched to Corinth, Miss., serving there until its evacuation by the enemy. It was engaged in the Battle of Farmington, May. 5.
Following the retreat from Corinth, it entered upon the campaign of Gen. Grant of Mississippi, and served under Gen. Rosencranz, encountering the enemy at Spangles Mills, July 26, 1862; Bay Springs, Septembe 10, and at Iuka, September 19. In this engagement, which was quite spirited, the regiment captured a stand of colors, belonging to the Third Louisiana Infantry. Gen. Rosencranz, in his report, speaking of the third cavalry, said: "For courage, efficiency and for incessant and successful combats, I do not believe they have any superiors." Following the engagement of Iuka, in quick succession, came Corinth, October 3-4; Hatchie, October 6; Hudsonville, November 14; Holly Springs, November 19; Lampkins Mills, November 10; Oxford, December 2, and Coffee Mills, December 5. At the close of the first year's service, the regiment had to its credit, in prisoners taken, three lieutenant colonels, two majors, thirteen captains, nineteen lieutenants and twelve hundred and forty-nine privates. Its losses from all causes were two hundred and fifteen.
January 14, 1863, the regiment met the rebels at Brownsville, Miss., and at Clifton on the twentieth. In July, the brigade under command of Col. Hatch, proceeded to Jackson, Tenn., where the third cavalry participated in a heavy engagement on the 13th of July and again on the twentieth, skirmished with the enemy at Panola. August 14, at Granada, Bayhalia; October 12, Wyatts Ford and at Tallahatchie river October 13. At Granada the third was in advance and assisted in destryoing a large amount of rolling stock, after driving the enemy from the town. Over sixty locomotives and over three hundred cars were destroyed, besides large quantities of comissary and quartermaster stores. During November and December, 1863, the regiment was almost consistantly engaged in scouting in various expeditions through northern Mississippi and western Tennessee. It had frequent encounters with the rebels under Generals Forest and Chalmers.
Engagements and skirmishes in which the regiment participated occurred at Ripley, Miss., November 29, Orizaga, Miss., November 30, Ellistown, December 3, Purdy, Tenn., December 22; Jacks Creek, Tenn., December 24, 1863. January 1, 1864, the regiment arrived at LaGrange, Tenn., and went into quarters. This term of service having nearly expired, opportunity was given for reenlistment, and within a few days five hundred and ninety-two of the command veteranized and a furlough of thirty days was given. Rendezvous was established at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and a large number of recruits were added to the reorganized third cavalry, early in March, 1864, when under command of Col. John K. Mizner of Detroit, the regiment left the State under orders for St. Louis, Mo., same point of destination as when first leaving. Here it remained for two months, awaiting horses, arms and equipments. In the meantime it performed provost duty in the city. Although, still dismounted, on the 18th day of May, the command proceeded to Little Rock, Ark., where it arrived on the 24th, reported to Maj. Gen. Steele, and soon after, was mounted and for some time was engaged in dispersing roving bands of guerillas, under the Rebel Gen. Shelby, driving them across the Arkansas river, capturing about eight hundred head of cattle.
From Nov. 1864, to February, 1865, the regiment constituted a garrison at Brownsville station on the Memphis and Little Rock R. R. Scouting parties from the regiment were sent out over the country and were enagled to secure cattle in sufficient numbers to supply the department with fresh beef. Owing to the neatness of the quarters of the regiment, the name of the camp was changed from that of Brownsville Station to Michigan City. In the spring of 1865 the first regiment was assigned to the brigade, first division, 7th army corps, and moved to Brownsville, and in March was transferred to the military division of West Mississippi, joining the forces under Maj. Gen. Canby. Following the fall of Mobile, it was employed in outpost duty until the surrender of the rebel forces, east of the Mississippi river. Leaving Mobile, May 8, it marched across the country at Baton Rouge, La., where it arrived on the 22d. About this time, Maj. Gen Phil Sheridan assumed command of the forces of the department and the regiment was selected to join an expedition into Texas. Leaving Baton Rouge, June 10, they marched to Shreveport, and July 10 started for San Antonio, where they arrived August 2. Here it remained performing garrison duty, and scouting the frontier, as far sough as the Rio Grande on the Mexican border. February 15, 1866, it was dismounted and mustered out of service and proceeded via Victoria to Indianola on foot, where it took shipping for New Orleans and Cario, from thence by rail to Jackson, Michigan, where it arrived march 10, and was paid on the 15th, and disbanded.
This brief outline of the arduous service of the gallant command it sufficient to impress the reader with the fact that active soldiering in a Michigan cavalry regiment during the Civil War was indeed a strenuous life. To add that the history of the regiment if but the history of Horation J. Bond, is glory sufficient to gratify the ambitions of any man. To have endured the privations and hardships of the long weary marches for days, lengthening into weeks, in an almost tropical climate, with short rations and scant water, must have tested the powers of endurance to the limit. Mr. Bond was promoted several times for faithful and efficient service, and at the time he was mustered out was orderly sergeant of his company. Four and a half years' service in the field, with a Michigan cavalry regiment, fighting in defense of a nation's flag and honor, is a record seldom duplicated. The total loss of the command, including officers and men, was four hundred and fourteen.
Returning to the civil life, Mr. Bond was engaged with his father in the carpenter trade, which he continued to follow during his father's life time. In the meantime he had located in Holt, and on April 22, 1869, was united in marriage to Miss Julia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ferguson, who were among the first settlers of the place, having located here in 1837. Mr. Ferguson held a government claim for eighty acres of land, which he located on section 13, January, 1841. The Township of Delhi was organized, as such, February 15, 1842, and at the first town meeting held April 4, following, twenty votes were cast. Mr. Ferguson was elected one of the Commissioners of Highways, and the year following was elected Town Treasurer, and in the later years served the township as Supervisor for twelve years, and held other township offices. He was closely identified with its growth and development for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson reared a family of eight children, five of whom are still living. Data referring to them is given as follows: Amelia, married Alpha Douglas, now deceased; Mary, wife of H. J. Aldrich; Julia, born November 7, 1843; Adelpha, deceased wife of S. H. Phillips; Dr. Agustus F. Furguson, a practicing physician of Lansing; Dr. J. W. Ferguson of Okemos; Emma, wife of A. F. Gunn. The elder Ferguson died February 28, 1898, at the age of eighty-two years and his devoted wife October 27, 1894, at the age of seventy-six years. Both were laid to rest in the Holt cemetery. In life they were active members of the M. E. church.
Mr. and Mrs. Bond have had born to them one son, Harry J., September 9, 1874, who finished his education at the Lansing high school. He is at present assistant cashier in the First State and Savings Bank at Mason. Harry enlisted as a musician in Co. F., 31st Michigan Volunteers, May 9, 1898, and went with his regiment to Cuba. He was mustered out and honorably discharged May 17, 1899. He was untied in marriage December 10, 1902, to Miss Iva, the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. J. Rayner of Mason.
Horation J. Bond, though never a seeker for place, has often been chosen by his fellowmen to serve in various official capacities. He has served as Township Clerk, also as Township Treasurer. He has always taken an active interest in locat affairs and contributed generously of both time and means to any enterprise looking to the betterment of society at large. He was elected to the responsible position of County Treasurer in the year 1892 and reelected in 1894, serving four years, retiring in the fullest confidence and respect of the public.
Mr. Bond is a Republican of the pronounced sort and is in full sympathy with the avowed principles of the party. Mr. Bond was for several eyars engaged in the mercantile business at Holt. Carrying a general stock. The firm was "Baker and Bond." By frugality and attention to business, he has been enabled to lay by a competence sufficient to meet his necessities, having valuable holdings, both personal and real.
Mr. and Mrs. Bond are living in comparative retirement, surrounded by friends, who wish them many years of happiness and contentment.
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Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
 Sondra Higbee
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