Colonel Luce is Dead

Colonel Constant C. Luce, one of the old pioneers of Michigan is dead at Monroe. He was commander of the famous Michigan “Stonewall” regiment, which was conspicuous at the battle of South Mountain, Md.

SOURCE: “Colonel Luce is Dead,” Port Huron Daily Times, Port Huron, Michigan, Monday, March 2, 1903

Obituary of Colonel Constant Luce, 17th Michigan Infantry

WAS A PIONEER OF MONROE

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COL. CONSTANT LUCE, WHO DIED THERE YESTERDAY.

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APROMINENT BUSINESS MAN AND A LEADING CITIZEN.

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No Immediate Member of His Own Family Now Living.

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Monroe, Mich., February 28.—Col. Constant Luce, one of the most prominent business men and pioneers of Monroe county, died this morning at his resident corner of Second and Macomb streets after an illness of only a few weeks.

Col. Luce for over three-quarters of a century was a resident here and for over fifty years one of the prominent men of the section. He was born in Pittsfield, Mass., in March 1819 and was very nearly 84 years old at the time of his death. He came to Monroe in his childhood, reaching here in 1826. He was one of the earliest abstractors in the west, and early began to make up the abstracts of Monroe county, beginning shortly after Michigan became a state. For four terms he served as register of deeds of the county, and while holding that office perfected the system of abstracts which later came into general use throughout Michigan.

At the outbreak of the war he became colonel of the Seventeenth Michigan Regiment and served with distinction throughout the war of the rebellion. Upon his return to Monroe he again engaged in the abstract business, under the firm name of Redfield & Luce. The name of his partner, Hon. Heman J. Redfield is prominent in the history of the city and county. After the death of Mr. Redfield the firm became Luce & Landon, and has thus continued to the present day.

Col. Luce is the “last of his race,” so far as his own family is concerned. Two brothers and a sister have preceded him into the silent land, and his only son died shortly after the close of the war. His aged wife died recently, and since her death he has made his home with a niece. He was a man of wonderful vitality, and until his last illness was a well known figure here in the city, being as hale and active as the ordinary man of 50. Mr. Luce was a member of Monroe Lodge, No. 27, F. & A. M., and had been on the emeritus roll for twelve years. He was a Knight Templar and one of the oldest Masons in Michigan. His funeral, on Monday, will be under Masonic auspices.

SOURCE: The Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Michigan, Sunday, March 1, 1903, p. 3

Diary of Musician David Lane, April 30, 1863

Columbia, Ky., April 30th, 1863.

At the date of my last entry—the 26th inst.—I had seen no indication of a move. We retired that night at the usual hour, and just as I was dropping off to sleep the order came: "Be ready to march tomorrow morning at five o'clock with two days' rations." It came like a "clap of thunder from a cloudless sky," surprising both officers and men. Our officers had formed numerous and pleasant associations with Kentucky's fair daughters, and it was with many regrets they were compelled to leave their agreeable society for the stern duties of the field. But military orders are inexorable as fate, and at precisely a quarter to five the bugle sounded "fall in," and at five we were on the move, bound for Columbia, forty miles away.

The weather is warm and pleasant now, but the burning heat of a Southern summer is close upon us. A forced march was before us, with no teams to carry our luggage. We could not carry all our winter clothing, therefore hundreds of good blankets and overcoats were thrown away. When we had marched three or four miles many of the men found they still had too much load, and then the work of lightening up began in earnest. For miles the road was strewn with blankets, dress coats, blouses, pants, drawers and shirts. In fact enough clothing was thrown away for Rebels to pick up to supply a whole brigade. No wonder so many Rebel regiments are dressed in our uniforms. As for myself, I was determined to stay by my goods, if I could not carry them. As a matter of fact I carried load enough that day to down a mule, and feel none the worse for it. We marched to Campbellville, twenty miles, and camped for the night. We were expected to cover the entire distance in two days, but fully one-half of the brigade were so utterly used up it was found to be impossible. We only made nine miles the second day, and camped at Green River. Here the Eighth Michigan and Seventy-ninth New York were ordered to remain; the Seventeenth was ordered to Columbia and the Twentieth to the Cumberland, forty miles beyond.

Lieutenant Colonel Luce is Provost Marshal of this district, and we are detailed to do provost duty. Colonel Luce's orders are: "Protect government property, keep good order in the town, arrest all disloyal citizens and report to headquarters every day." This part of the state has been much infested by guerillas, and we expect lively times.

SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 41-3

Diary of Musician David Lane, June 6, 1863

Lebanon, Ky., June 6th, 1863.

I did not go to Jamestown, as I intended. I called on the Provost Marshal for a pass and learned the program had been changed, and the Seventeenth was then on its way back to Lebanon. I found the company about nine o'clock in the evening, a half mile from Columbia, tired and worn by a march of twenty six miles. The boys had stretched themselves on the ground, too tired to erect their tents, but when they learned of our arrival, they flocked around us to learn the latest news from home. And such warm greetings I seldom ever witnessed. The Colonel said we were all right on time; he did not expect us to start from home until Monday.

Here I learned the Ninth Corps had received orders to report immediately at Louisville. We started early next morning and marched twenty miles. After supper we threw ourselves upon the ground and forgot our pains and aches in "balmy sleep."

At two o'clock we were aroused by "the shrill bugle's cry," and were told we were to be in Lebanon at 12 m. eighteen miles. We turned out, cooked and ate our breakfasts, and at four o'clock were on the move. The Quartermaster soon overtook us with teams that he had "pressed" to carry our knapsacks for us. With many thanks to Colonel Luce—it was he that ordered the wagons to follow us—we started on our way with light hearts and lighter feet. But eighteen miles in half a day is no easy task, even in light marching order, and soon the men, worn out by repeated forced marches, began to tire, and many were ready to declare they could go no further, when we were met by a wagon train, sent from Lebanon to bring in those not able to walk. The train was soon filled to its utmost capacity. Not being one of the unfortunates, I "hoofed it" the entire distance.

The all-absorbing question with us is, where are we going? The Louisville Journal says we are "going to take a new lesson in geography." Of course, then, we leave the state. Our officers are about equally divided between Washington and Vicksburg. But which? If we are to take a new lesson we will not go east. Then it must be Vicksburg. Our men say it makes but little difference to them, if only we go where work is to be done.

SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 44-5