A. S. Williams Post #40Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan Organized February 8, 1882 This Post was named to honor Major General Alpheus Starkey Williams of Detroit. He was born in Saybrook, Connecticut in 1810. He graduated from Yale in 1831 and practiced law in Detroit. He also served as Probate Judge, owned and published a newspaper, served as Recorder and Postmaster of Detroit. He was a veteran of the Mexican War, serving as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was a Brigadier General of State Troops on April 24, 1861and Brigadier General U. S. Volunteers on May 17, 1861. He commanded the 12th Corps at Antietam after General Banks was wounded. He took part in "Sherman's March to the Sea." Brev. Major General U. S. Volunteers January 12, 1865 "for marked ability and energy during the war. Mustered out Jan. 15, 1866, and honorably discharged. He was minister resident in San Salvador from 1866 to 1869 and was elected to Congress from Michigan on 1874 and 1876. He died in Washington, D. C., on December 1, 1878. The Post was Mustered with 23 Charter Members. The first Post Commander was Giles B. Allen who enlisted as a Private in Company F, 6th Michigan Infantry on May 1, 1861. He was discharged as Sergeant Major on August 23, 1864. The Post met, mostly on Mains Street or Cochran Avenue, general at places designated as G. A. R. Hall. In 1884 they met at Cobb's Hall on Main Street and in 1884 at Freemans Hall on Lawrence Avenue. In 1914 the G. A. R. Hall is listed as on E. Lovett. In December 1919 the G. A. R. Hall address is noted as 218 S. Main. In 1923 the Post was meeting at Marshall Hall on Main Street. Medal of Honor recipient Michael Hudson, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps was a Member of this Post. He was awarded his medal for service on the USS Brooklyn at Mobile Bay on August5, 1864. The last Post Commander was Asa N. Smart who enlisted as a Private in Company D, 2nd Michigan Infantry. He was discharged from Company B, 6th Ohio Cavalry on June 2, 1865. The final Report of the Post was filed December 31, 1927 with 19 members. The Post was disbanded in 1929.
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