C. J. Dickerson Post #6

Hillsdale, Hillsdale County, Michigan

Organized February 26, 1879

This Post was named to honor Brevet Brigadier General Christopher J. Dickerson. He entered service in the 10th Michigan Infantry at organization as Lieutenant Colonel on November 10, 1861 at Flint. He was 34 years of age. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Buzzard’s Roost, February 25, 1864. He was released August 3, 1864. He declined a commission as Colonel of the 6th Michigan Infantry on November 12, 1864. He resigned as Lieutenant Colonel, 10th Infantry on November 12, 1864 and was honorably discharged to accept a civil appointment. He was made Brevet Brigadier General March 13, 1865, for faithful and meritorious services. He died September 20, 1873.

There was a G. A. R. Post in Hillsdale organized April 5, 1868 designated as Post 28. The 1869 list, in Cravath’s book, shows Lumbard Post 23 in Hillsdale. The Post was probably named to honor George W. Lumbard (listed as Lombard in Robertson) of Hillsdale. He was a Captain in the 4th Michigan Infantry, May 16, 1861. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on July 1, 1862 and Colonel on July 3, 1863. He died May 6, 1864 of wounds received in action at Wilderness, Va. May 5, 1864.

C. J. Dickerson, for whom the new 1879 Post was named, is listed as Post Commander of the Lumbard Post 23 in Cravath’s book.

The first Post Commander was Albert Dickerman. He enlisted as a Musician in Company E, 105th Ohio Infantry. He was discharged as Adjutant of the 105th Ohio Infantry.

Meetings in 1879 were held at the Odd Fellows Hall on Howell Street. After 1884 their meeting place is at the G. A.R. Hall on Howell Street. This was probably the same place but was reported in this fashion. It appears that there were no formal meetings after 1930.

A note on the December 31, 1939 report indicates:
“Mr. Slayton a loyal G. A. R. member died in his sleep. He had not been ill. He was 92 on Jan. 9, 1939. Report filed by Helen Slayton, daughter of the Post Adjutant. The Post has not met in meeting in years. Prof. Melville W. Chase now the only living member. He is 97.”
Comrade George A. Slayton served as a Private in Company F, 15th Michigan Infantry from March 30, 1865 to July 3, 1865. He died on August 24, 1939.

M. W. Chase was the last Post Commander. Melville W. Chase enlisted (substitute) as a Private on September 12, 1864, age 22, in Company E, 9th Maine Infantry. He was discharged from this company and regiment on June 30, 1865. He died on February 17, 1940.

The Post was disbanded February 17, 1940.