Profile
Catalog Number
2020.9.508Title
Doesburg, Gerrit S.Description
Image of Holland MI resident Gerrit S. Doesburg's record of service in the "Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, Vol. 25", obituary in the May 25th, 1933 edition of the Holland City News on the first page, and image of him.History
Gerrit S. Doesburg was born on December 11th, 1843 in the Netherlands. He came to America in 1848 with his parents and siblings. On February 21st, 1865 he enlisted with the 25th Michigan Infantry Co. I. On June 15th, 1865 he was transferred to the 28th Michigan Infantry Co. K, in which he served until February 22nd 1866. He was employed by the Holland City News and "De Grondwet" newspaper, and sailed frequently on Lake Michigan. He was the last living Civil War veteran in Holland when he died on May 23rd, 1933 at the age of 90. He is interred in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.The 25th Michigan Infantry Company I was largely made up of Dutch immigrants from Holland, Michigan and its surrounding areas. The company is most famous for its involvement in the Battle at Tebb's Bend, where roughly 200 Union soldiers repulsed an attack by the Confederate general John Hunt Morgan and his raiders. The 25th Infantry was also involved in several campaigns in Eastern Tennessee and Sherman's March to the Sea, where the 25th fought at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Cassville, Kingston, Allatoona, Pine Mountain, Lost Mountain, and Kenesaw. The regiment also took part in the siege of Atlanta. The regiment was mustered out on June 24th, 1865.