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Catalog Number
2020.9.517Title
Fairbanks, James L.Description
Image of Holland MI resident James L. Fairbanks' record of service in the "Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, Vol. 13", and obituary in October 25th, 1906 edition of Holland City News, page 1.History
James L. Fairbanks was born in 1842. On November 14th, 1861, he enlisted in the 13th Michigan Infantry Co. I. He attained the rank of Corporal in May 1862, and the rank of Sergeant on January 29th, 1864. On March 19th, 1865, he was taken prisoner at Bentonville, NC and was paroled on April 10th of that year. He served until June 24th, 1865. He moved to Holland, MI from Fillmore, MI shortly after the war, but later in life returned to Fillmore. He was killed on October 18th, 1906 after falling backwards off a wagon picking apples. The obituary contains the full story. He is interred in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.The 13th Michigan Infantry was organized on January 17th, 1862. The regiment helped build fortifications in Stevenson, Al., and held it after the main army left until Jul 25th 1862. The regiment fought gallantly at Stone River in late December/early January 1863, holding its position immediately in front of the confederates until nearly surrounded. It fell back, reformed, and launched an assault that resulted in a large capture of confederate prisoners and the recapture of several artillery pieces. This battle cost the 13th one third of its strength killed and wounded. The 13th also fought in Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Sherman's March to the Sea. The regiment sustained heavy loss at Bentonville NC, the last major battle of its career. It was mustered out on July 25th, 1865.