Tag: Detroit MI

Wikipedia says: Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County.
…Prior to the American Civil War, the city’s access to the Canada–US border made it a key stop for refugee slaves gaining freedom in the North along the Underground Railroad. Many went across the Detroit River to Canada to escape pursuit by slave catchers. An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 African-American refugees settled in Canada. George DeBaptiste was considered to be the “president” of the Detroit Underground Railroad, William Lambert the “vice president” or “secretary”, and Laura Haviland the “superintendent”.

Numerous men from Detroit volunteered to fight for the Union during the American Civil War, including the 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment. It was part of the legendary Iron Brigade, which fought with distinction and suffered 82% casualties at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. When the First Volunteer Infantry Regiment arrived to fortify Washington, D.C., President Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, “Thank God for Michigan!” George Armstrong Custer led the Michigan Brigade during the Civil War and called them the “Wolverines”.