Van Pelt Post #1Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan Organized 1875 This Post was named to honor George Van Pelt of Coldwater. At the age of 25, he enlisted, in Detroit, for three years service in Company A, First Michigan Light Artillery on May 31, 1861. He was mustered the same date as Sergeant Major. He was commissioned Junior Lieutenant on Oct. 6, 1861. He was discharged to accept promotion to Junior First Lieutenant Nov. 24, 1862, and was promoted to Senior First Lieutenant in April 1863. He was killed in action at Chickamauga, Ga., Sept. 19, 1863 No records have survived for this Post. The only member of whom we are aware was Capt. D. B. Purinton. David B. Purinton enlisted Aug. 3, 1864 as Second Lieutenant of Company C, 28th Michigan Infantry. He was discharged on June 5, 1866 as Brevet Major of the 28th Michigan Infantry. Captain Purinton was appointed Provisional Commander for the reorganization of the Michigan Department on Nov. 19, 1875. He was succeeded in that office by Major C. V. R. Pond, of C. O. Loomis Post 2, in April 1878. He is listed as the Quartermaster Sergeant for Van Pelt Post 34, Coldwater, in the 1869 listing found in the book by Comrade I.M. Cravath. Van Pelt Post 1 was dropped shortly after the reorganization of the Michigan Department in 1879. The Post was reported to have 50 members, at that time, but was not meeting.
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