CHAPLAIN J. M. MICKLEY.[1]
Chaplain J. M. Mickley is a native of Adams county, Pa., near the historic town of Gettysburg, and whose family connection have always been justly celebrated for loyalty and patriotism. His ancestors took a prominent part in the war of the Revolution, and also in the war of 1812. Both his brother and himself, who are the only sons of a patriotic widow, remained in the active field service until the close of the Rebellion. He is a regular graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., and of the Theological Seminary at Mercersburg, Pa., and a regularly ordained Minister of the Gospel in the Reformed Church of the United States.
He entered the service Dec. 2d, 1862, as Chaplain of the 177th Regt. Pa. Infantry, and remained with this command until its muster-out. After this he was appointed Chaplain of this Regt. In his connection with this command he has shown himself fitted for that most delicate and difficult position, an Army Chaplain. Month after month he has labored most assiduously, by means of religious exercises, well conducted schools, providing of excellent books and papers for the use of the soldier, to contribute to the improvement of their mental, moral and social condition; and the high esteem he has won for himself, by his talent, piety, energy and bravery, from every officer and man of this Regiment and also from Superior Officers and Commandants, is ample proof of his peculiar fitness for the position. To him two-thirds of the men of this command are indebted for their proficiency in reading and writing. Through his disinterested labors, also, thousands of dollars were saved by the men, and many families kept from want. His care and attention in forwarding these funds were so satisfactory in meeting the case. Thousands beside the above were by him securely deposited for others. During the whole period of his Chaplaincy he rendered invaluable service in the Camp by his untiring and well directed efforts to do good; and on the field, often where the battle raged fiercest, he was among the foremost to minister to the wounded and dying physical relief and the consolations of religion, and by his own acts of heroism to inspire others with confidence and to deeds of valor.
He has actively participated in the following actions, viz.: Blackwater; South Mills; Union Bridge; Deep Creek; heavy skirmish in the Dismal Swamp; heavy skirmish on the Hickory Ground Road, Dismal Swamp; Deserted House; siege of Suffolk; Carrsville; Hatchie's Run; heavy skirmish on Bermuda Front; Farra's Island, near Dutch Gap Canal; and capture of Richmond.
Bvt. Col. H. S. HALL,
Commanding Regiment.
June 20th, 1865.
[1 ] Communicated by Colonel Hall commanding 43d United States Colored Troops.
ASSISTANT SURGEON A. B. LOWE.
Assistant Surgeon A. B. Lowe, a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, is a regular graduate of the Belview College of Medicine, New York City. Upon recommendation of Surgeon's Examining Board of New York, before which he passed examination, he received the appointment of Assistant Surgeon of this Regt., March 8th, 1864. He accompanied the First Battalion to the field, and was the Medical officer in charge of it during the battles of the Wilderness Campaign, and until after the action before Petersburg, July 30th, 1864. On detached service, he was in Amputating Hospital of 3d Div., 9th Corps; Assistant Surgeon in charge of Baptist Church Hospital of Manchester, Va., after the occupation of Richmond and Manchester by our forces; and also Medical Officer in the Post Hospital of Brownsville, Texas. He was again Medical Officer in charge of this Regiment on its perilous ocean voyage to New York, and until its final discharge. In all the duties of his department in connection with this command, and the other positions to which he had been ordered, he manifested intelligence, ability and skill. As an officer and gentleman he is deserving of great esteem.
He has been, in the duties of his profession, in the following engagements, viz.: Wilderness, May 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th, 1864; Spotsylvania, May 7th to 15th, 1864; Tolopotomy Creek, May 19th and 20th, 1864; North Anna, May 22d and 23d, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 1st to 3d, 1864; Old Church, June 10th, 1864; Siege of Petersburg, June 18th, 1864; Mine before Petersburg, July 30th, 1864; Weldon Railroad, Aug. 19th and 20th, 1864; Poplar Grove Church, Sept. 29th and 30th, 1864; Hatchie's Run, Oct. 27th and 28th, 1864; heavy skirmish on the Bermuda Front, Dec., 1864; Farra's Island, near Dutch Gap Canal, Jan. 25th, 1865; and capture of Richmond, April 3d, 1865.