From a Seneca Falls, New York newspaper in 1861:
Death of Another Volunteer
We are pained to learn that CALVIN COLGROVE, a former resident of our village, was killed during the battle near Manassas on Sunday the 21st. For the past five years he has lived in Michigan, and left that State upon the breaking out of the war, as a member of the 1st Michigan Regiment. He was color bearer in the Regiment, and while performing the duties of his office was killed by a cannon ball which severed his head from his body. He has relatives residing here and was a worthy and exemplary young man. We believe he leaves a family to mourn his loss.
Austin Blair (LOC - LC-USZ62-82923)
The 1st Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry was made up of a “number of independent military companies” that existed when Governor Austin Blair issued a proclamation on April 16, 1861 for the creation of a regiment in response to President Lincoln’s call for volunteers in the aftermath of Fort Sumter. Orlando B. Willcox was appointed Colonel of the 1st Regiment. Until being wounded and captured Willcox also led a brigade during the First Battle of Bull Run. It is reported that Calvin Colgrove served in Company ‘I’. Colgrove was 32 and probably a member of the Marshall Light Guard before the war. Austin Blair also was born and grew up in New York State. As a matter of fact, he married a woman from Seneca County. Blair and his state were strong supporters of the Union war effort:
At the outset of the war, Michigan had a total population of approximately 800,000 and an estimated 110,000 able-bodied men capable of bearing arms. By the end of the war, more than 90,000 Michigan men had volunteered to fight. Blair personally helped to raise about $100,000 to organize and equip the initial muster of troops. When Blair left office in 1864, he was almost destitute, having expended much of his personal wealth in support of the war effort.
You can see the the 1st Regiment’s flag at the Michigan Historical Museum. The flag was captured at First Bull Run and not returned until 1886.
Civil War Sources has posted three articles about the courage of color bearers in the war.
Defending the Flag (LOC - LC-DIG-ppmsca-31117)
Not like Manassas: idealized sheet music cover - 1864 (LOC - LC-USZC2-3775)
