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Catalog Number
2020.9.598Title
Van Putten, WilliamDescription
Image of Holland MI resident William Van Putten's record of service in the "Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, Vol. 25" and obituary in the Oct. 22nd, 1892 edition of Holland City News.History
William Van Putten (also Wellen in some sources) was born on October 27th, 1839. He came to America in spring 1849, settling in Holland, MI. On August 14th, 1862 he enlisted in the 25th Michigan Infantry Co. I, in which he served until December 11th, 1863, when he was discharged for disability. After the war, he attended medical school in Cincinnatti, OH and became a doctor. He passed on October 15th, 1892 in Holland, MI and 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.