Profile
Catalog Number
2020.9.568Title
Rookus, PeterDescription
Image of Holland MI resident Peter Rookus' record of service in the "Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, Vol. 25" and obituary in the April 9th, 1914 edition of Holland City News, page three.History
Peter Rookus (also spelled Rookes) was born on September 17th, 1838 in the Netherlands. On February 15th, 1865 he enlisted in 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 Feb. 21st, 1866. He passed on April 6th, 1914 in Zeeland, ,MI.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.