Constellation Similarity Assertions

William Anderson was born on July 29, 1840 in Aberdeanshire, Scotland. His family migrated to America in June of 1852 and eventually settled in Gun Plains, which is in Allegan County, Michigan. On August 7, 1862, Mr. Anderson enlisted as a private in Company B, 19th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. On March 5, 1863, near Franklin, Tennessee, his regiment was overpowered by Confederate General Braxton Bragg's cavalry force, which was under command of General Van Dorn. Anderson was among those captured, and he became a prisoner of war. He later claimed that the Confederates confiscated "everything of value," with the exception of his bible. A man of great faith, Anderson persuaded them to let him keep it. He was briefly interned at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. On March 30, 1863, he was released during a prisoner exchange and sent to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. Upon arrival there, he was given a seven-week furlough from the intense activities of the war. Afterward, he rejoined his regiment, which was now a part of Sherman's Western Army. In May of 1864, Anderson participated in heavy battle around Roscoe, Georgia. In July of 1864, near Marietta, Georgia, he received a gunshot wound in his leg. The wound ultimately resulted in his medical discharge from the Army on June 10, 1865. On March 20, 1867, Mr. Anderson married Miss Margaret Montetith, and they established a farm residence in the town of Martin in Allegan County, Michigan. This union produced eight children: six sons and two daughters. Mr. Anderson was quite active in his Presbyterian church. In 1900, two years after the death of his wife, Mr. Anderson purchased a home in Plainwell, Michigan, to be near his church. William Anderson died on July 20, 1904 at the age of sixty-three. A war comrade and former chaplain from the Ohio Regiment, Reverend F.Z. Rossiter, officiated.

From the description of William Anderson papers, 1862-1908. (State Archive of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 43789882

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