To anyone anywhere, I have several Civil War documents, tin types & photographs from my Uncle Ben Johnson, husband to my full blood Aunt Emily. Ben wrote a lengthy letter to his mother (with a color drawing of the encampment) with the heading of New England Division Ship Island (Mifs ?) Headquaters General Butlers Expedition April 5th 1862 to his mother (I can't read her name Sophreninicy? Johnson)about the contitions of the encampment (cold with no blankets) and "Butler Hats"(I have a photograph of Maj. Gen S.F. Butler).Ben's pension number was 242382.
Wayne County Register's office (MI) July, 13, 1866 Recorded in Liber (?sp) 113 of Deeds at page 439 (he is also on page 438).
I also have a document from The Military Department of Michigan Adjutant General's office certifying that CHAS. HASTINGS enlisted as a private in Co. H 42nd Regiment, Michigan Infantry on the 30th day of July, 1861 at Chicago, Ill was duly mustered into the service of the United States for the term of 3 years.. It aslo states that he was discharged June 5th 1862. Signed by Wm. J. McGurrie. I also have EMORY FOOTE'S discharge papers from San Antonio, TX Feb. 26th 1866...he enlisted Dec. 25th, 1861(he was a mechanic before serving)
If anyone can add to this information, especially Ben Johnson, all I know is that he born Ashtabula Co. Ohio. I have a tin type of he at age apx 4 and a sister age apx 1. I don't know her name. His wife resided in Hickory Corners (Cressy mailing address at that time), Kalamazoo, MI and Lansing & Jackson, Michigan. She was Emily Rockwell.

Please contact me at Audiebair@cs.com