Journal of Alexander Cole

[Mikey]

[Mikey]

Entry #1

January 8, 1861

Today I received word of my commission as Colonel of the 1st Michigan Cavalry Regiment. The news left me both humbled and uncertain. Though I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Union in such a significant capacity, I cannot help but wonder how much of this is due to my father’s influence. My service in the 2nd Regiment of Dragoons taught me much about leadership and combat, but it is rare for a man of my age to be elevated to such a rank.

I reflect often on my time with the 2nd Dragoons, especially the events of 1858. That summer, I was part of a small detachment that pursued a group of Comanche who had taken a white child. We tracked them relentlessly through the scorching Texas plains until we found ourselves ambushed by 25 braves. What began as a skirmish escalated into a pitched battle as we faced a force of nearly 500 Comanches. With the help of Texas Rangers, we held our ground for five grueling hours. By the end, 70 of their number lay dead, and the child was rescued. The engagement, later called the Battle of the Wichita Village, remains vivid in my memory. I distinguished myself in that fight, earning the respect of my superiors, but I sometimes wonder if that alone accounts for my current commission.

The regiment will be formed and mustered outside of Saginaw, Michigan, my hometown. The thought of returning there fills me with mixed emotions. It will be good to see familiar faces and walk the streets of my youth, yet I cannot ignore the weight of responsibility that accompanies this assignment. My father remains in Washington, working tirelessly to preserve the Union, while Elizabeth is also in the capital, offering her unyielding support as I embark on this journey.

There is much to do. The 1st Michigan Cavalry does not yet exist as a cohesive force. It falls to me to mold these men into a unit capable of standing firm against the rebellion that threatens our great nation. I am determined to rise to the occasion, though the path ahead is fraught with challenges. I think often of my father’s words; that the measure of a man is found in how he seizes the opportunities presented to him. I must prove that I am worthy of this command, not only for my own sake but for the men who will look to me for guidance and the Union cause that demands nothing less than our utmost.

As I prepare for what lies ahead, I draw strength from Elizabeth’s letters and the memories of our moments together. She believes in me even when I doubt myself. For her, for my father, and for the future of this fractured nation, I will give everything I have. God willing, I will succeed.

 

Edited January 9 by Mikey

[Mikey]

Entry #2

February 15, 1861

The days pass swiftly now as the preparations for the 1st Michigan Cavalry continue. Our numbers grow daily, with young men – boys, really – flocking to the mustering grounds with an eagerness that is equal parts inspiring and sobering. Many arrive with wide eyes and bright spirits, their heads filled with notions of glory and adventure. I see the nervous pride in their faces as they sign their names, committing themselves to the Union cause. Yet I cannot help but wonder if they understand the grim reality of the path they have chosen. War is no romantic escapade. It is a crucible that tests the soul, often breaking it in the process.

Even as I oversee the training and organization of these men, my thoughts are often with my family. I have been writing regularly to my father in Washington, keeping him apprised of our progress here in Michigan. His responses are always brief but full of encouragement. He reminds me that the preservation of the Union is paramount, a sentiment that I hold as deeply as he does. My mother, too, has sent letters, her words brimming with concern and love. She has never hidden her worry about the dangers that lie ahead, yet she has always supported me in every endeavor.

Yesterday, I received word that both she and Elizabeth are planning to journey to Michigan to see me before the regiment departs. The news fills me with anticipation and gratitude. My mother’s presence will be a comfort, as it always has been, and Elizabeth’s visit will bolster my resolve. To see them both, to feel their warmth and hear their voices, will be a balm to my spirit amidst the strain of preparing for war. That they would come all this way during such uncertain times speaks to the strength of their love and courage. With the buildup of forces on both sides of this growing conflict, there are no guarantees of safety, not even here in Michigan.

The men under my command, though raw and inexperienced, show great promise. They are eager to learn, and their commitment to the Union mirrors my own. It is my duty to shape them into a cohesive, disciplined force. They look to me for guidance, and I must not fail them. The Union demands our unwavering devotion, and I am determined to give it nothing less. This is no time for half-measures or wavering hearts. The Confederacy must be defeated swiftly and decisively if this great experiment in democracy is to endure.

As I write this, the sun sets over the mustering grounds, casting long shadows across the snow-covered fields. It is a beautiful and solemn sight, a reminder of all that we fight to preserve. I will do everything in my power to ensure that these boys, who so eagerly sign their names for the Union, have the training and leadership they need to face the trials ahead. For their sake, for my family’s sake, and for the Union’s sake, I will not falter.

God willing, we will prevail.

 

[Mikey]

Entry #3

March 10, 1861

The past weeks have been a whirlwind of emotion and activity. My mother and Elizabeth arrived safely, and their presence has brought a measure of comfort amidst the unrelenting demands of my duties. To see Elizabeth step down from the carriage, her eyes shining despite the cold March wind, filled my heart with a warmth I have not felt in months. My mother’s embrace was steadying, a reminder of the strength and love that has always been my foundation. Their visit, though brief, has rekindled my spirit.

Since their arrival, I have had little time to spare for anything but the regiment. The officers of the 1st Michigan Cavalry have begun to assemble, and I have taken great care to meet each one personally. These men will be the backbone of our regiment, the ones to lead and inspire the soldiers in the field. While some are seasoned veterans, others are as green as the recruits themselves. It is my task to unify them, to forge a command structure that can withstand the trials of war. I have spoken to each officer about my expectations and my commitment to discipline and rigorous training.

The men, young as they are, have begun to understand the seriousness of what lies ahead. Training has intensified. No longer are they simply boys signing papers with dreams of glory. They are soldiers now, learning to march in formation, care for their weapons, and respond to orders without hesitation. There is much work to be done, but I see progress each day. Their eagerness to learn gives me hope, though I know that eagerness alone will not be enough when the time comes to face the enemy.

Elizabeth has been a steadying influence during these long days. Her words of encouragement and unwavering belief in me remind me of what I am fighting for. She understands the weight of my responsibilities, yet never falters in her support. My mother, too, has been a source of strength, offering wisdom and reminding me to find moments of quiet reflection when the demands of leadership threaten to overwhelm.

The officers and I have begun to draft plans for maneuvers and drills that will challenge the men and prepare them for the rigors of battle. The training must be relentless. These men must learn not only to fight but to trust one another, to move as one body, and to endure the hardships that come with war. I am determined to ensure they are ready. The Union demands nothing less than our best, and I will not allow this regiment to falter under my command.

As I write, the sounds of men drilling echo across the fields outside my quarters. The sharp bark of commands, the rhythmic clatter of boots on frozen ground—it is the sound of transformation, of raw recruits becoming soldiers. It is a sound that fills me with both pride and resolve.

This war will not be won easily, but I believe in the cause. I believe in the Union, in the ideals that have brought us together as a nation. I will do everything in my power to ensure that the 1st Michigan Cavalry is ready to fight for those ideals. God willing, we will be prepared when the time comes.

 

[Mikey]

Entry #4

April 14, 1861

Spring has come to Michigan, and with it, a growing sense of urgency. The ranks of the 1st Michigan Cavalry continue to swell, young men from all over the state eager to serve the Union. As I watch them train and prepare, I am struck by their determination. They remind me of what is at stake: our country, our ideals, and our future.

The thought of the future has been much on my mind these days, particularly as it pertains to Elizabeth. The more I consider it, the more I feel that waiting to marry her is a mistake. War looms ever closer, and there are no certainties about what lies ahead. The time we have now is precious, and I am beginning to believe that we should seize it while we can. I plan to speak with her soon, to ask if she would be willing to marry before the regiment departs. The thought fills me with both excitement and a deep, bittersweet longing.

My mother has been a constant source of encouragement. Her presence here steadies me in ways I cannot fully express. My youngest brother has also been a welcome distraction. His youthful energy and curiosity remind me of a time when life seemed simpler, before the weight of duty and war pressed so heavily on my shoulders. They give me strength, and I am grateful beyond words to have them both here with me.

A letter from my father arrived this morning, and it has left me unsettled. His words were measured, as they always are, but there was a note of despair in his tone that I have not heard before. He wrote of the growing tensions in Washington, the ever-widening chasm between North and South. He has done all he can to seek compromise, to preserve the Union without resorting to bloodshed, but even he seems to have lost faith that war can be avoided. His letter reminded me that this conflict will not be brief or simple. The nation we love is tearing itself apart, and the cost of mending it will be immeasurable.

Despite the grim tidings from Washington, the men here press on with their training. Their spirit and resolve are remarkable, and I am proud to lead them. Yet I cannot ignore the enormity of the task before us. These men will soon face the horrors of battle, and it is my duty to prepare them as best I can. The thought keeps me awake at night, but it also drives me forward. The Union must stand, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that it does.

Tonight, as I sit by the window in my quarters, the sounds of the camp settle into a quiet rhythm. The men’s laughter drifts through the air, mingling with the scent of spring. It is a moment of peace in the midst of chaos, and it reminds me why we fight. For moments like this, for the chance to laugh and hope and live freely. For Elizabeth, for my mother, for my brother, and for the countless others who depend on us to stand firm.

Tomorrow, the work continues. But for now, I will hold onto this moment and the hope that, somehow, we will endure.

 

Edited Friday at 02:27 AM by Mikey

[Mikey]

Entry #5

May 16, 1861

Today, I take pen to paper with a renewed sense of purpose and gravity. Two weeks ago, I received a formal letter from none other than General Winfield Scott, confirming my appointment as Colonel of the 1st Michigan Cavalry. To see my commission so officially recognized fills me with both pride and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. The letter lays bare the expectations placed upon my shoulders, expectations I must meet for the sake of the Union.

The words of General Scott echo in my mind as I write. Discipline and drill. Horsemanship and maneuver. Marksmanship and combat readiness. These are the pillars upon which I must build my regiment. The gravity of these orders is matched only by the urgency of our task. With each passing day, the nation draws closer to the brink, and I know it will not be long before our regiment is called into action. Until then, I must focus every ounce of my energy on preparing these men for the trials that lie ahead.

The regiment continues to grow, and among the new arrivals is a young private named Eli Harper. He is only nineteen, a son of farmers from Lansing. When I met him, his hands still bore the roughness of the plow, yet his eyes shone with a determination that belied his youth. Eli’s story is not uncommon among the men who have answered the Union’s call. He speaks of his family’s small farm, of his desire to protect what they have built, and of his firm belief that this war must be fought to preserve the nation for future generations. It is men like Eli who remind me of what we fight for, who give me hope even in the face of such uncertainty.

My days are filled with the constant rhythm of training and administration. The men’s progress is steady, though there is much work yet to be done. I take General Scott’s words to heart and strive to lead by example. If these men are to meet the challenges ahead with valor and competence, they must see that same resolve in me. I speak to them often, both as a group and individually, instilling in them the belief that our cause is just and that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

My mother and brother remain a source of comfort, their presence here in Saginaw a steadying force amidst the chaos of preparation. My brother has taken to helping with minor tasks around camp, his youthful energy a welcome distraction at times. As for Elizabeth, her letters bring me joy and strength. Though I have not yet broached the subject of moving our wedding sooner, the thought remains at the forefront of my mind. Time is fleeting, and the future uncertain. I hope to speak with her on the matter soon.

As I reflect on the day, I am reminded once more of the weight of my responsibilities. The preservation of the Union depends not just on the strength of our arms, but on the resolve of those who wield them. I will ensure that the 1st Michigan Cavalry is prepared to meet this challenge, for failure is not an option. General Scott’s confidence in me is not misplaced, and I will see to it that this regiment brings honor to Michigan and glory to our cause.

May God guide my hand and steady my heart in the days to come.

 

Edited Friday at 02:28 AM by Mikey

[Mikey]

Entry #6

May 21, 1861

Today, I stood before the assembled ranks of the 1st Michigan Cavalry for the first time as their Colonel. The sight was both humbling and inspiring. Nearly a thousand men, drawn from every corner of our state, stood shoulder to shoulder in formation, their faces marked with determination and readiness. Some were older, weathered by years of toil, while others were barely more than boys, yet each of them had answered the Union's call.

As I addressed them, I felt the weight of their expectations. They look to me for leadership, for purpose, and for strength. I spoke to them of the cause that binds us—the preservation of the Union and the ideals upon which this nation was built. I reminded them of the sacrifices that would be demanded of us and the honor that comes with defending our country in its hour of need. I told them that the days ahead would not be easy, but that I had faith in their ability to rise to the challenge.

After the address, I gathered the company commanders and issued their orders. These men, my officers, are the ones who will carry my directives to the troops, who will lead them in drill and in battle. Though I did not share the specifics of the orders in my address, I emphasized the importance of discipline and unity. It is critical that we move forward as one, each man knowing his role and trusting in the leadership of his officers. There is much work to be done, but I am confident in their ability to carry it out.

The regiment is coming together, slowly but surely. The training intensifies each day, and the men are beginning to show the cohesion and confidence that will be essential in the field. There is a long road yet to travel, but today felt like a significant step forward. For the first time, I felt the full weight of what we are building here. This is not just a regiment; it is a force that will stand in defense of the Union and all it represents.

As I write, the camp is alive with activity. Men clean their weapons, tend to the horses, and prepare for tomorrow's drills. The spirit of camaraderie is growing, and it gives me hope that when the time comes, these men will fight not just as individuals but as brothers.

I think often of Elizabeth and my family. Their presence, though distant now, remains a constant source of strength. My mother and brother are still here, and their encouragement steadies me. Elizabeth's letters remind me of what awaits us on the other side of this conflict, of the life we hope to build together. It is a reminder of why this fight is worth every sacrifice.

For now, I turn my focus back to the task at hand. This regiment must be ready, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that it is. May God guide me and these men as we prepare for the trials ahead.

 

Edited Sunday at 03:50 AM by Mikey