Sheboygan County’s Last Union Veteran

Description

In many places, including Sheboygan County, the Civil War was at last embodied in one incredibly old man, who stood without comrades. As long as he lived, the great day of tragedy and decision was still a part of living memory. In Sheboygan County, William P. Bryant was that man. His remarkable life spanned over 90 years and saw his native Sheboygan Falls rise from a mill town to an industrial center. For Bryant, the Civil War defined his life, and he remained with the Grand Army of the Republic until the end.

Steve Michaels has served as editor of the Banner, the national quarterly magazine of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. He’s contributed to Tom McCrory’s book, “Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Wisconsin” and wrote “Press Forward the Good Work,” the definitive history of the Sons of the Union Veteran of the Civil War in Wisconsin. For ten years, he wrote monthly biographical vignettes about his SUVCW’s camp namesake, Col. Colwert Kendall Pier of the 38th Wisconsin Infantry, who hailed from Fond du Lac.