Henry Mulkins - 12th Michigan Infantry

1861 ~ 1866

Like most Volunteers from what now is known as the Mid-West, Henry Mulkins was a farmer. He was born October 4, 1840 in Ledgertown NY. He joined the 12th Regiment Michigan Infantry December 9, 1861 at Adrian, and was mustered in December 19th . He was assigned to Company F under Capt Russell Weston of Niles, 1st Lieutenant David Reeve of Jackson, and 2nd Lieutenant Samuel Graves of Adrian. By today's standards he was a small man at 5' 3" tall, having blue eyes and red hair. If he was anything like his great-great-great-great red headed grandson Joshua, 5'.3" was probably about all the Regiment could take. He was mustered out December 30, 1863, and was mustered back in as a Veteran Volunteer December 31st. Because of his re-enlistment, he was granted a 30 day furlough. During this time he returned to Michigan and was married on the 29th of February 1864. When he returned to Little Rock he stayed with Company F of the 12th at that time and was there until the 12th was disbanded in March of 1866. He was promoted to Corporal May 1, 1864, then demoted per his own request back to Private May 8, 1865.

The Regiment itself was mustered into service on March 5, 1862 at Niles Michigan and left the state March 18th for St Louis Missouri. From there they moved to Pittsburgh Landing Tennessee where they were assigned to Colonel Peabody's Brigade of Prentiss' Division, Army of the Tennessee, arriving just in time for the battle of Shiloh. Part of the regiment was with Prentiss in the "Hornets Nest". Other engagements include:

Corinth MS, Iuka MS, Metamora TN, Middleburg TN, where they were complimented by General Grant in General Order No. 3 for gallant and efficient services on successfully defending their post against a force of 3000 Confederates under General Van Dorn, Mechanicsville MS, Siege of Vicksburg MS, Siege of Little Rock AR, Clarendon AR Devall's Bluff Gregory Landing AR, Bayou Fourche, Pine Bluff, Helena AR.

When mustered out, February 15, 1866, the 12th returned to Michigan arriving at Jackson on the 27th. At that time the unit was paid off and disbanded March 6, 1866. During their term of service the 12th had a total enrollment of 2357 men. Of these 29 were killed in action, 26 died of wounds, 17 died in confederate prisons, 316 died of disease and 221 were discharged for disabilities. This places the total Casualty Rate for the unit at 25.8% 1

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