The Genealogy of one Vermonter, Darrell A. Martin

Richard was born in Lincolnshire, England, on 19 September 1839.¹ He was the son of William Gott and Elizabeth Wright. He served as a private in the Civil War. He enlisted 19 August and mustered in 20 August 1861 at Kalamazoo, Michigan, with Company F, 6th Michigan Infantry, at the formation of the regiment. His term of service was three years or the duration of the war. The 6th Michigan left almost immediately for Maryland. In early March, 1862 they sailed with General Butler's New Orleans Expedition, on board the transport "Constitution". After operations against Forts St. Phillip and Jackson in April, the regiment moved to occupy New Orleans. It was one of the first Union regiments to occupy the city. It was occupied in activites in the general area until the Siege of Port Hudson from May to July, 1863. The unit received the thanks of General Banks for "gallant and efficient services" during the siege and was by his orders, 10 July 1863 (approved by the Secretary of War 30 July), converted into the 6th Michigan Heavy Artillery. The regiment was on garrison duty at Port Hudson until 6 June 1864, but moved occasionally and saw action at least once. Richard was discharged at Kalamazoo 23 August 1864 by reason of expiration of term of service; his clothing account had burned on board the steamer Clara Belle on 24 July 1864. The 6th Michigan lost 78 men to enemy action, and 504 men to disease, during the course of the war. Service in steamy Louisiana must have been something out of a nightmare for men from Michigan. His military records say he was 5 feet 5 inches tall, light complexioned, with black eyes and black hair, that he was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., and that his occupation was farmer. He married Martha Arvilla Dean in Genoa, Livingston County, Michigan, on 1 January 1872.² Richard died on 31 March 1914 in Livingston County, Michigan, at age 74. He was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Fowlerville, Livingston County, Michigan.