John Lepper, II

John Lepper, II was born in Vermont, raised in Wayne Co., NY and followed his family to Michigan in 1850. He married Nancy Allen, daughter of James and Hannah Cross Allen in 1852 and had 6 children, 3 born before the Civil War and 3 after.

John Lepper, II served in the Civil War, enlisting December 11, 1862 in Kalamazoo, MI. Many battles, 2 wounds, hospital confinements and 3 long years later, Quartermaster Sargeant John Lepper, Jr. mustered out December 15, 1865 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Arriving in Grand Rapids, MI by train in mid-winter with night coming on, was told to "seek shelter in liveries, barns, anywhere you can get in", that there will be a train to Detroit in the morning. John said "We're only 50 miles from home. We can walk it by noon tomorrow". So along with 5 fellow war buddies, John Lepper, II walked home to Hickory Corners that night in the middle of the winter.

Following the war John Jr. farmed some and worked in the family businesses, sawmill, gristmill, blacksmith shop, but mostly in the general store. On a windy night in the spring of 1880, all these buildings burned down and "Lepperville" was no more.

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The 7th Regiment
Michigan Volunteer Cavalry 1862-1866

The 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry was organized at Grand Rapids under the supervision of the Honorable F.W. Kellog.

John LEPPER, Jr. enlisted in Company H, Seventh Michigan Cavalry, December 11, 1862, at Ross Twp., Kalamazoo Co. for 3 years. Mustered January 30, 1863. Mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15, 1865.

Under the command of Colonel Mann, the First Battalion left its rendezvous at Grand Rapids on Februray 20, 1863 bound for duty in the defenses of Washington D.C. where Michigan Cavalry units were being formed into a single Brigade. The remaining companies joined the following May.

Action at Hanover, Pennsylvania 30, June 1863.

Battle of Gettysburg, July 1 to July 3, 1863.

Pursuit of Lee back to the Rappahonnock River in Virginia.

Numerous scouts and expeditions in September to December, 1863.

Kilpatrick's unsuccessful raid on Richmond, February 28 to March 4, 1864.

Battle of the Wilderness May 5 to May 7, 1864.

Todd's Tavern May 6, 1864.

Sheridan's Raid to the James River, May 9 to May 24.

Battle of Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864.

Battle of Trevillian Station, June 11 to June 12, 1864.

At Petersburg and vicinity until August 1864, when ordered to Washington D.C.

Joined Sheridan's Campaign, August 8 to November 28, 1864.

Battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864.

Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864.

Raid to Gordonsville, December 19 to December 28, 1864.

Sheridan's Raid from Winchester to the James River, February 28 to March 1865.

Battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865.

Battle of Saylors Creek, April 6, 1865.

Appomattox, April 9, 1865.

Moved to Washington D.C. and participated in Grand Review May 23, 1865.

Moved to Leavenworth, Kansas June 1, 1865.

Powder River Expedition and operations against the Indians in Plains and in Dakota Territory until December 1865.

Mustered out December 15, 1865.

Recruits with time left to serve were transfered to the 1st Michigan Cavalry and were on duty in Utah until March 10, 1866 (This is one regiment that really got around).

It is interesting to note that during its entire time in the service of the United States, they were assigned to the famous Michigan Brigade, under the command of Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer.

Total Enrollment: 1779 - Killed in Action: 49 - Died of Wounds: 26 -
Died of Disease: 247

Total Casualty Rate: 18.1%

tkschulte@sbcglobal.net

Terry Schulte - Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI

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