Judson L. Austin was born in 1836. A resident of Cheshire, Allegan Co., Michigan, Austin enlisted in Company B of the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry on August 13, 1862 at Allegan and mustered in September 5, 1862. Austin married Sarah E. Colburn, also of Allegan County, Michigan.
The Nineteenth Michigan participated in the action with Bragg's cavalry forces at Spring Hill, Thompson's Station, Tennessee, on March 5, 1863, during which Austin was with his older brother, Pack, who died on the battlefield. Most of the regiment was captured and marched south to Libby Prison. Although the regiment was exchanged May 25, 1863, Austin was released early along with other sick and wounded prisoners, and by April 2, 1863 he was at the U.S. General Hospital in Annapolis, Maryland. He received a furlough about April 30, 1863, which he spent visiting his family in Michigan.
Austin returned to the regiment when it reorganized in early June 1863 at Camp Chase, Ohio. The Nineteenth Michigan was stationed in Tennessee from June 1863-May 1864. The regiment then participated in the Atlanta Campaign and Occupation, May-November 1864; the March to the Sea, November-December 1864; and the Campaign of the Carolinas, January-April 1865; making their final march to Washington, D.C., in April-May 1865. The Nineteenth Michigan marched in the Grand Review on May 24, 1865. Austin was mustered out May 26, 1865 at McDougall Hospital, New York Harbor.
After his discharge, Austin returned to Allegan County, Michigan, where he resumed farming in Trowbridge Township. He and Sarah had three children, George A. (probably born in early 1863), Benjamin B. and Frederick P. Austin.
From the guide to the Judson L. Austin Papers, 1862-1865, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)
