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Catalog Number
2020.9.621Title
Zwemer, JanDescription
Image of Holland MI resident Jan Zwemer's record of service in the "Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, Vol. 19" and obituary in Jan. 15th, 1920 edition of Holland City News page two.History
Jan "John" Zwemer was born on January 18th, 1833 in the Netherlands. He came to America in with Albertus Van Raalte in 1847. On August 11th, 1862 he enlisted in the 19th Michigan Infantry Co. B. He induced twelve other people to join the war effort. During the war, he disguised himself as a Confederate soldier and went behind there lines, getting close to an officer camp. He completed his service on June 10th, 1865. After the war, he operated a fruit farm near Saugatuck, MI for thirty years and was also employed in the Singapore, MI sawmills before it was buried by dunes. He passed on January 12th, 1920 and is interred in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.The 19th MI Infantry was organized on September 5th, 1862. Its first serious engagement was at Thompson's Station Tenn., where the brigade it was part of was assaulted by a confederate force of 18000 led by gen. Earl Van Dorn. The 19th fought gallantly and captured the colors of a Mississipi regiment. However, they were ultimately forced to surrender. Other important battles the 19th fought in were important battles in Sherman's campaign, including Resaca GA, Culp's Farm, GA, siege of Atlanta, Savannah, and Bentonville NC. The regiment was mustered out on June 10th, 1865.