Enlisted on 1/23/1864 at Grand Rapids, MI
Mustered into "A" Co. MI 26th Infantry-1/23/1864
Killed at Totopotomoy Creek, VA
Note: Totopotomoy May 31, 1864
Chauncey Woolsey Co. A. 26th MI: As the Civil War battles raged on, his son, 19 year old Corporal N.H. (Wallace) Woolsey of Northport, Michigan, serving nearby in the 9th Corps, Co. I of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters would get word that his father, 45 year old Chauncey Woolsey, who was fighting in the Lake Shore Tiger's Co. A of the 26th Michigan just to their right, was killed in action at Totopotomoy May 31, 1864, during the skirmish at Shelton (Sheldon) Farm. At the age of 18, young Wallace Woolsey, along with another friend from Northport, Doug Hazel, left their homes in Leelanau County near the end of July, 1863, aboard Woolsey's boat leaving word that they were sailing for "salt water," as they did not want their parents to follow. In a few weeks the folks at home learned that the boys enlisted in Co. I. of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. Chauncey followed his son into the war later that winter, joining the 26th Michigan "Lake Shore Tigers" Co. A. Chauncey Woolsey of Leelanau County, the son of a veteran of the War of 1812, was a Maritime Captain on the Great Lakes. Just prior to the war, in the late fall of 1860, storm conditions caused the winter supply of food for the Northport community to be landed on Manitou Island instead of at the Bight in Northport, Michigan. An experienced seaman, Chauncey Woolsey volunteered to make the trip to the island in his 18 foot sloop-rigged open boat. Moses Dexter was his ship mate, (whose son Judson Dexter was killed in the siege of Knoxville in November of 1863 while serving in the 2nd Michigan Infantry). On the return from the island after loading the cargo, they were set upon by a winter blizzard and high seas. Moses despaired of ever reaching the Bight, and began to pray. Captain Woolsey told him to "stop praying, and bail the water and ice out of the boat!" The boat was washed up on the beach of Cat Head Bay, fortunately near where Chauncey's brother, Francis Woolsey, had a cabin. The boat and provisions were later salvaged, and with the game and vegetables they had, the community managed to hold out until navigation opened in the spring. Chauncey was listed with 5 children in the pre-war 1860 Census of Leelanau Twp. He was a popular member of the community back home and among the ranks of the 26th Michigan. At the time of Chauncey Woolsey's death, his good friend John Kehl was with him that day. "The company was lying prone, firing on the enemy line, when the order came to retire. As Kehl got up he saw that Woolsey was dead from a bullet to the head." Woolsey was buried in the National Cemetery at Yorktown, Virginia Grave # 69. The Northport, Michigan G.A.R. Post #399 was named in his honor, where many veterans of the 26th Michigan and 1st Michigan Sharpshooters joined together to serve their communities for the remainder of their lives. Before Captain Woolsey had departed for the Civil War, he had been presented with a Bible from Reverend George N. Smith. Captain Woolsey had been elected one of the first deacons of the Congregation Church. After his death the Bible was presented to his son Byron, who was then fifteen years of age. His older brother, Wallace Woolsey of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, was said to have died of Tuberculosis as a result of his service in the Civil War and is buried in the Northport Cemetery. (There is also a tin photograph preserved in the Michigan Archives in Lansing of a very young musician, Dare Woolsey). When Byron Woolsey's son, Clinton, left for service in World War I, this same Bible was presented to him. Later, after Clinton Woolsey's tragic death as a pilot in the Army on a good will mission to Buenos Aires in 1927, this same Bible was again represented to his father Byron, then about 78 years old. In 1935 the Clinton F. Woolsey Memorial Airport was built near Northport, dedicated to his memory. Northport's Joshua Middleton of Co. A. 26th Michigan later wrote to his sister from the Jarvis U.S. Hospital: "Our friend Chancy Woolsey is gone. He was shot, on the 31st of May and Charley Waltz, a young fellow who went with us was wounded at the same time, shot through both thighs."
Mustered into "A" Co. MI 26th Infantry-1/23/1864
Killed at Totopotomoy Creek, VA
Note: Totopotomoy May 31, 1864
Chauncey Woolsey Co. A. 26th MI: As the Civil War battles raged on, his son, 19 year old Corporal N.H. (Wallace) Woolsey of Northport, Michigan, serving nearby in the 9th Corps, Co. I of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters would get word that his father, 45 year old Chauncey Woolsey, who was fighting in the Lake Shore Tiger's Co. A of the 26th Michigan just to their right, was killed in action at Totopotomoy May 31, 1864, during the skirmish at Shelton (Sheldon) Farm. At the age of 18, young Wallace Woolsey, along with another friend from Northport, Doug Hazel, left their homes in Leelanau County near the end of July, 1863, aboard Woolsey's boat leaving word that they were sailing for "salt water," as they did not want their parents to follow. In a few weeks the folks at home learned that the boys enlisted in Co. I. of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. Chauncey followed his son into the war later that winter, joining the 26th Michigan "Lake Shore Tigers" Co. A. Chauncey Woolsey of Leelanau County, the son of a veteran of the War of 1812, was a Maritime Captain on the Great Lakes. Just prior to the war, in the late fall of 1860, storm conditions caused the winter supply of food for the Northport community to be landed on Manitou Island instead of at the Bight in Northport, Michigan. An experienced seaman, Chauncey Woolsey volunteered to make the trip to the island in his 18 foot sloop-rigged open boat. Moses Dexter was his ship mate, (whose son Judson Dexter was killed in the siege of Knoxville in November of 1863 while serving in the 2nd Michigan Infantry). On the return from the island after loading the cargo, they were set upon by a winter blizzard and high seas. Moses despaired of ever reaching the Bight, and began to pray. Captain Woolsey told him to "stop praying, and bail the water and ice out of the boat!" The boat was washed up on the beach of Cat Head Bay, fortunately near where Chauncey's brother, Francis Woolsey, had a cabin. The boat and provisions were later salvaged, and with the game and vegetables they had, the community managed to hold out until navigation opened in the spring. Chauncey was listed with 5 children in the pre-war 1860 Census of Leelanau Twp. He was a popular member of the community back home and among the ranks of the 26th Michigan. At the time of Chauncey Woolsey's death, his good friend John Kehl was with him that day. "The company was lying prone, firing on the enemy line, when the order came to retire. As Kehl got up he saw that Woolsey was dead from a bullet to the head." Woolsey was buried in the National Cemetery at Yorktown, Virginia Grave # 69. The Northport, Michigan G.A.R. Post #399 was named in his honor, where many veterans of the 26th Michigan and 1st Michigan Sharpshooters joined together to serve their communities for the remainder of their lives. Before Captain Woolsey had departed for the Civil War, he had been presented with a Bible from Reverend George N. Smith. Captain Woolsey had been elected one of the first deacons of the Congregation Church. After his death the Bible was presented to his son Byron, who was then fifteen years of age. His older brother, Wallace Woolsey of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, was said to have died of Tuberculosis as a result of his service in the Civil War and is buried in the Northport Cemetery. (There is also a tin photograph preserved in the Michigan Archives in Lansing of a very young musician, Dare Woolsey). When Byron Woolsey's son, Clinton, left for service in World War I, this same Bible was presented to him. Later, after Clinton Woolsey's tragic death as a pilot in the Army on a good will mission to Buenos Aires in 1927, this same Bible was again represented to his father Byron, then about 78 years old. In 1935 the Clinton F. Woolsey Memorial Airport was built near Northport, dedicated to his memory. Northport's Joshua Middleton of Co. A. 26th Michigan later wrote to his sister from the Jarvis U.S. Hospital: "Our friend Chancy Woolsey is gone. He was shot, on the 31st of May and Charley Waltz, a young fellow who went with us was wounded at the same time, shot through both thighs."
Enlisted on 1/23/1864 at Grand Rapids, MI
Mustered into "A" Co. MI 26th Infantry-1/23/1864
Killed at Totopotomoy Creek, VA
Note: Totopotomoy May 31, 1864
Chauncey Woolsey Co. A. 26th MI: As the Civil War battles raged on, his son, 19 year old Corporal N.H. (Wallace) Woolsey of Northport, Michigan, serving nearby in the 9th Corps, Co. I of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters would get word that his father, 45 year old Chauncey Woolsey, who was fighting in the Lake Shore Tiger's Co. A of the 26th Michigan just to their right, was killed in action at Totopotomoy May 31, 1864, during the skirmish at Shelton (Sheldon) Farm. At the age of 18, young Wallace Woolsey, along with another friend from Northport, Doug Hazel, left their homes in Leelanau County near the end of July, 1863, aboard Woolsey's boat leaving word that they were sailing for "salt water," as they did not want their parents to follow. In a few weeks the folks at home learned that the boys enlisted in Co. I. of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. Chauncey followed his son into the war later that winter, joining the 26th Michigan "Lake Shore Tigers" Co. A. Chauncey Woolsey of Leelanau County, the son of a veteran of the War of 1812, was a Maritime Captain on the Great Lakes. Just prior to the war, in the late fall of 1860, storm conditions caused the winter supply of food for the Northport community to be landed on Manitou Island instead of at the Bight in Northport, Michigan. An experienced seaman, Chauncey Woolsey volunteered to make the trip to the island in his 18 foot sloop-rigged open boat. Moses Dexter was his ship mate, (whose son Judson Dexter was killed in the siege of Knoxville in November of 1863 while serving in the 2nd Michigan Infantry). On the return from the island after loading the cargo, they were set upon by a winter blizzard and high seas. Moses despaired of ever reaching the Bight, and began to pray. Captain Woolsey told him to "stop praying, and bail the water and ice out of the boat!" The boat was washed up on the beach of Cat Head Bay, fortunately near where Chauncey's brother, Francis Woolsey, had a cabin. The boat and provisions were later salvaged, and with the game and vegetables they had, the community managed to hold out until navigation opened in the spring. Chauncey was listed with 5 children in the pre-war 1860 Census of Leelanau Twp. He was a popular member of the community back home and among the ranks of the 26th Michigan. At the time of Chauncey Woolsey's death, his good friend John Kehl was with him that day. "The company was lying prone, firing on the enemy line, when the order came to retire. As Kehl got up he saw that Woolsey was dead from a bullet to the head." Woolsey was buried in the National Cemetery at Yorktown, Virginia Grave # 69. The Northport, Michigan G.A.R. Post #399 was named in his honor, where many veterans of the 26th Michigan and 1st Michigan Sharpshooters joined together to serve their communities for the remainder of their lives. Before Captain Woolsey had departed for the Civil War, he had been presented with a Bible from Reverend George N. Smith. Captain Woolsey had been elected one of the first deacons of the Congregation Church. After his death the Bible was presented to his son Byron, who was then fifteen years of age. His older brother, Wallace Woolsey of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, was said to have died of Tuberculosis as a result of his service in the Civil War and is buried in the Northport Cemetery. (There is also a tin photograph preserved in the Michigan Archives in Lansing of a very young musician, Dare Woolsey). When Byron Woolsey's son, Clinton, left for service in World War I, this same Bible was presented to him. Later, after Clinton Woolsey's tragic death as a pilot in the Army on a good will mission to Buenos Aires in 1927, this same Bible was again represented to his father Byron, then about 78 years old. In 1935 the Clinton F. Woolsey Memorial Airport was built near Northport, dedicated to his memory. Northport's Joshua Middleton of Co. A. 26th Michigan later wrote to his sister from the Jarvis U.S. Hospital: "Our friend Chancy Woolsey is gone. He was shot, on the 31st of May and Charley Waltz, a young fellow who went with us was wounded at the same time, shot through both thighs."
Mustered into "A" Co. MI 26th Infantry-1/23/1864
Killed at Totopotomoy Creek, VA
Note: Totopotomoy May 31, 1864
Chauncey Woolsey Co. A. 26th MI: As the Civil War battles raged on, his son, 19 year old Corporal N.H. (Wallace) Woolsey of Northport, Michigan, serving nearby in the 9th Corps, Co. I of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters would get word that his father, 45 year old Chauncey Woolsey, who was fighting in the Lake Shore Tiger's Co. A of the 26th Michigan just to their right, was killed in action at Totopotomoy May 31, 1864, during the skirmish at Shelton (Sheldon) Farm. At the age of 18, young Wallace Woolsey, along with another friend from Northport, Doug Hazel, left their homes in Leelanau County near the end of July, 1863, aboard Woolsey's boat leaving word that they were sailing for "salt water," as they did not want their parents to follow. In a few weeks the folks at home learned that the boys enlisted in Co. I. of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. Chauncey followed his son into the war later that winter, joining the 26th Michigan "Lake Shore Tigers" Co. A. Chauncey Woolsey of Leelanau County, the son of a veteran of the War of 1812, was a Maritime Captain on the Great Lakes. Just prior to the war, in the late fall of 1860, storm conditions caused the winter supply of food for the Northport community to be landed on Manitou Island instead of at the Bight in Northport, Michigan. An experienced seaman, Chauncey Woolsey volunteered to make the trip to the island in his 18 foot sloop-rigged open boat. Moses Dexter was his ship mate, (whose son Judson Dexter was killed in the siege of Knoxville in November of 1863 while serving in the 2nd Michigan Infantry). On the return from the island after loading the cargo, they were set upon by a winter blizzard and high seas. Moses despaired of ever reaching the Bight, and began to pray. Captain Woolsey told him to "stop praying, and bail the water and ice out of the boat!" The boat was washed up on the beach of Cat Head Bay, fortunately near where Chauncey's brother, Francis Woolsey, had a cabin. The boat and provisions were later salvaged, and with the game and vegetables they had, the community managed to hold out until navigation opened in the spring. Chauncey was listed with 5 children in the pre-war 1860 Census of Leelanau Twp. He was a popular member of the community back home and among the ranks of the 26th Michigan. At the time of Chauncey Woolsey's death, his good friend John Kehl was with him that day. "The company was lying prone, firing on the enemy line, when the order came to retire. As Kehl got up he saw that Woolsey was dead from a bullet to the head." Woolsey was buried in the National Cemetery at Yorktown, Virginia Grave # 69. The Northport, Michigan G.A.R. Post #399 was named in his honor, where many veterans of the 26th Michigan and 1st Michigan Sharpshooters joined together to serve their communities for the remainder of their lives. Before Captain Woolsey had departed for the Civil War, he had been presented with a Bible from Reverend George N. Smith. Captain Woolsey had been elected one of the first deacons of the Congregation Church. After his death the Bible was presented to his son Byron, who was then fifteen years of age. His older brother, Wallace Woolsey of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, was said to have died of Tuberculosis as a result of his service in the Civil War and is buried in the Northport Cemetery. (There is also a tin photograph preserved in the Michigan Archives in Lansing of a very young musician, Dare Woolsey). When Byron Woolsey's son, Clinton, left for service in World War I, this same Bible was presented to him. Later, after Clinton Woolsey's tragic death as a pilot in the Army on a good will mission to Buenos Aires in 1927, this same Bible was again represented to his father Byron, then about 78 years old. In 1935 the Clinton F. Woolsey Memorial Airport was built near Northport, dedicated to his memory. Northport's Joshua Middleton of Co. A. 26th Michigan later wrote to his sister from the Jarvis U.S. Hospital: "Our friend Chancy Woolsey is gone. He was shot, on the 31st of May and Charley Waltz, a young fellow who went with us was wounded at the same time, shot through both thighs."
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